Acts 5:23

23 “The jail was securely locked, with the guards standing outside, but when we opened the gates, no one was there!”

Acts 5:23 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 5:23

Saying, the prison truly found we shut with all safety,
&c.] Locked, barred and bolted;

and the keepers standing without before the doors;
both inner and outer in their proper places, diligently discharging their office:

but when we had opened we found no man within;
that is, none of the apostles, for there might be other prisoners in it, who were not released by this means.

Acts 5:23 In-Context

21 So at daybreak the apostles entered the Temple, as they were told, and immediately began teaching. When the high priest and his officials arrived, they convened the high council —the full assembly of the elders of Israel. Then they sent for the apostles to be brought from the jail for trial.

22 But when the Temple guards went to the jail, the men were gone. So they returned to the council and reported,

23 “The jail was securely locked, with the guards standing outside, but when we opened the gates, no one was there!”

24 When the captain of the Temple guard and the leading priests heard this, they were perplexed, wondering where it would all end.

25 Then someone arrived with startling news: “The men you put in jail are standing in the Temple, teaching the people!”