Acts 5:25
Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.
Original Language Analysis
παραγενόμενος
Then came
G3854
παραγενόμενος
Then came
Strong's:
G3854
Word #:
1 of 24
to become near, i.e., approach (have arrived); by implication, to appear publicly
αὐτοῖς
them
G846
αὐτοῖς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 24
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
λέγων
saying
G3004
λέγων
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
6 of 24
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
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὓς
whom
G3739
οὓς
whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
11 of 24
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἔθεσθε
ye put
G5087
ἔθεσθε
ye put
Strong's:
G5087
Word #:
12 of 24
to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different from g2476, which pr
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
φυλακῇ
prison
G5438
φυλακῇ
prison
Strong's:
G5438
Word #:
15 of 24
a guarding or (concretely, guard), the act, the person; figuratively, the place, the condition, or (specially), the time (as a division of day or nigh
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἱερῷ
the temple
G2411
ἱερῷ
the temple
Strong's:
G2411
Word #:
19 of 24
a sacred place, i.e., the entire precincts (whereas g3485 denotes the central sanctuary itself) of the temple (at jerusalem or elsewhere)
ἑστῶτες
standing
G2476
ἑστῶτες
standing
Strong's:
G2476
Word #:
20 of 24
to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
21 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Historical Context
The repeated reports' emphasis ('came one and told them') suggests multiple messengers confirming unbelievable news. The temple's public nature meant thousands witnessed apostolic teaching, making secret rearrest impossible without popular riot. The authorities faced public humiliation - their prisoners escaped supernaturally and resumed prohibited activity openly.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's public vindication of His servants expose opposition's futility?
- What does the authorities' powerlessness despite official position teach about true authority's source?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The further report - 'Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people' (some manuscripts include additional detail about blood-guilt accusation). The authorities' dilemma - apostles freely teaching despite imprisonment - forced new strategy. Their inability to explain escape or prevent teaching revealed impotence against divine will. This scene demonstrated Psalm 2's reality: rulers conspire vainly against God's Anointed.