Acts 5:21
And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.
Original Language Analysis
ὑπὸ
early in the morning
G5259
ὑπὸ
early in the morning
Strong's:
G5259
Word #:
4 of 36
under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὄρθρον
G3722
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
7 of 36
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἱερὸν
the temple
G2411
ἱερὸν
the temple
Strong's:
G2411
Word #:
9 of 36
a sacred place, i.e., the entire precincts (whereas g3485 denotes the central sanctuary itself) of the temple (at jerusalem or elsewhere)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 36
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Παραγενόμενος
came
G3854
Παραγενόμενος
came
Strong's:
G3854
Word #:
12 of 36
to become near, i.e., approach (have arrived); by implication, to appear publicly
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀρχιερεὺς
the high priest
G749
ἀρχιερεὺς
the high priest
Strong's:
G749
Word #:
15 of 36
the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 36
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σὺν
they that were with
G4862
σὺν
they that were with
Strong's:
G4862
Word #:
18 of 36
with or together (but much closer than g3326 or g3844), i.e., by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, additi
αὐτούς
him
G846
αὐτούς
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
19 of 36
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
συνέδριον
the council
G4892
συνέδριον
the council
Strong's:
G4892
Word #:
22 of 36
a joint session, i.e., (specially), the jewish sanhedrin; by analogy, a subordinate tribunal
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
23 of 36
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
25 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γερουσίαν
the senate
G1087
γερουσίαν
the senate
Strong's:
G1087
Word #:
26 of 36
the eldership, i.e., (collectively) the jewish sanhedrin
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
27 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱῶν
of the children
G5207
υἱῶν
of the children
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
28 of 36
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
Ἰσραήλ
of Israel
G2474
Ἰσραήλ
of Israel
Strong's:
G2474
Word #:
29 of 36
israel (i.e., jisrael), the adopted name of jacob, including his descendants (literally or figuratively)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
30 of 36
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀπέστειλαν
sent
G649
ἀπέστειλαν
sent
Strong's:
G649
Word #:
31 of 36
set apart, i.e., (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
32 of 36
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
33 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
Early morning temple teaching capitalized on Jewish prayer times when crowds gathered. The Sanhedrin's full assembly (rare occurrence requiring urgency) demonstrated perceived threat level. The council 'sent to the prison to have them brought' expecting routine trial, unaware of miraculous deliverance.
Questions for Reflection
- What does immediate obedience to divine command teach about prioritizing God's authority?
- How does the authorities' ignorance while apostles taught freely demonstrate God's sovereignty?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The obedient action - 'when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught' - shows immediate compliance with angelic command despite danger. The Greek 'hypo ton orthron' (early morning) indicates dawn teaching, maximizing time and audience. Meanwhile, 'the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together' mobilized official opposition, unaware prisoners had escaped. The phrase 'all the senate of the children of Israel' (Greek 'pan to presbyterion') describes full Sanhedrin assembly, showing crisis level.