Acts 5:24

24 And as the magistrates of the temple, and the princes of priests heard these words, they doubted of them, what was done [what should be done].

Acts 5:24 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 5:24

Now when the high priest
Or "the priests", as it is read in most copies; the Complutensian edition reads, "the high priest"; and he is certainly designed, since he is distinguished from the chief priests after mentioned: the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Ethiopic versions, leave out this word; as does also the Alexandrian copy:

and the captain of the temple;
the same versions read in the plural number; (See Gill on Luke 22:4), (See Gill on Luke 22:52), (See Gill on Acts 4:1).

and the chief priests heard these things;
which the officers related, that the prison doors were shut and sure, and the keepers upon their watch, and yet the apostles gone:

they doubted of them, whereunto this would grow;
they did not doubt of the truth of the things their officers told them, but they were amazed at them, and hesitated in their minds about them, and were anxiously thoughtful; what this would, or should be, or how this should be done; that the prison doors should be shut, and yet the prisoners gone; they were in suspense and anxiety of mind, what to impute it to; whether to a divine and supernatural power, or to magic art; and were uneasy in their minds what would be the issue of so strange and surprising an event.

Acts 5:24 In-Context

22 And when the ministers came, and found them not, and for the prison was opened [Soothly when the ministers came, and, the prison opened, found them not], they turned again, and told,

23 and said [saying], [Forsooth] We found the prison shut with all diligence, and the keepers standing at the gates; but we opened, and found no man therein.

24 And as the magistrates of the temple, and the princes of priests heard these words, they doubted of them, what was done [what should be done].

25 But a man came, and told to them, For lo! those men which ye have put into prison, be in the temple, and stand, and teach the people [+For lo! the men whom ye have put in prison, be in the temple, standing, and teaching the people].

26 Then the magistrate went with the ministers, and brought them without violence; for they dreaded the people, lest they should be stoned.