Acts 5:26

26 Then the captain left with his guards and brought the apostles back. They didn't use force because they were afraid the people would stone them.

Acts 5:26 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 5:26

Then went the captain with the offcers
That is, the captain of the temple, who had the command of it; he went thither attended with the officers and servants of the chief priests, the same that had been sent to the prison, to fetch the apostles:

and brought them without violence;
they did not lay hold upon them, and drag them away in a violent manner; but gave them good words, and allured them, and entreated them to go along with them, and perhaps promised them, that no hurt should come to them, and that they should have full liberty to speak for themselves; the Ethiopic version renders it, "they brought them, behaving themselves mildly towards them"; they used no forcible, but gentle methods; they did not seize them in a violent way, and bind them, and carry them away by force:

for they feared the people;
who had them in great esteem, because of the miracles done by them, and the benefit they received from them, both for their souls and bodies:

lest they should have been stoned;
by the populace, who had they used them in a severe and cruel manner, would have risen upon them, and stoned them to death; the Ethiopic version renders it, "because they feared the people, they did not stone them"; as if the captain of the temple, and the officers would have stoned the apostles, but that they were afraid of the people.

Acts 5:26 In-Context

24 When they received this news, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were baffled and wondered what might be happening.

25 Just then, someone arrived and announced, "Look! The people you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!"

26 Then the captain left with his guards and brought the apostles back. They didn't use force because they were afraid the people would stone them.

27 The apostles were brought before the council where the high priest confronted them:

28 "In no uncertain terms, we demanded that you not teach in this name. And look at you! You have filled Jerusalem with your teaching. And you are determined to hold us responsible for this man's death."