Acts 5:23
Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.
Original Language Analysis
λέγοντες
Saying
G3004
λέγοντες
Saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
1 of 23
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
ὅτι
G3754
Τὸ
G3588
Τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μὲν
truly
G3303
μὲν
truly
Strong's:
G3303
Word #:
4 of 23
properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἑστῶτας
standing
G2476
ἑστῶτας
standing
Strong's:
G2476
Word #:
15 of 23
to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)
πρὸ
before
G4253
πρὸ
before
Strong's:
G4253
Word #:
16 of 23
"fore", i.e., in front of, prior (figuratively, superior) to
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θυρῶν
the doors
G2374
θυρῶν
the doors
Strong's:
G2374
Word #:
18 of 23
a portal or entrance (the opening or the closure, literally or figuratively)
ἀνοίξαντες
when we had opened
G455
ἀνοίξαντες
when we had opened
Strong's:
G455
Word #:
19 of 23
to open up (literally or figuratively, in various applications)
Historical Context
The leadership's perplexity reveals God's confounding wisdom over human power. Previous attempts to suppress the movement - threats (Acts 4:17), arrests, imprisonment - all failed. The supernatural prison escape forced recognition that greater power opposed them. Their question anticipates Gamaliel's warning about fighting God (v. 39).
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's evident blessing on gospel ministry confound and perplex opponents?
- What does the authorities' uncertainty 'whereunto this would grow' teach about kingdom's unstoppable advance?
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Analysis & Commentary
The council's bewilderment - 'Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow' - shows confusion at God's evident approval. The Greek 'diēporoun' (doubted) means 'thoroughly perplexed,' unable to explain or predict outcomes. Their question 'whereunto this would grow' acknowledges momentum beyond their control. Gamaliel's later speech (v. 34-39) addresses this uncertainty with wise counsel.