Acts 5:18
What does Acts 5:18 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 5:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 5:18 means
The authorities lay hands on the apostles and put them in public prison. This is a show of force meant to shame and intimidate, signaling to the populace that the leaders are in control. The apostles’ arrest contrasts sharply with their healing ministry; human power tries to cage the testimony God is spreading. Yet the imprisonment becomes the stage for God to display His greater authority. The verse reminds us that gospel advance often meets direct opposition, and that public hostility cannot silence the word of God, which is about to be set free in a way no lock or guard can prevent.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and laid hands on the apostles, and put them in public ward.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and laid hands on the apostles, and put them in public ward.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And they took the Apostles and put them in the common prison.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and laid their hands upon the apostles, and did put them in a public prison;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And they laid hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and laid hands on the apostles and put them in the public prison.
Context
Following the leaders’ jealousy, this arrest is the expected next step. The apostles are now under official restraint, setting up a confrontation between earthly authority and heavenly commission. The next verse introduces an angelic deliverance, a clear sign that God is personally involved in protecting His witness. This transition will move the narrative from human attempts to suppress the gospel to divine orders to keep preaching, underscoring the unstoppable nature of the message about Jesus. The scene builds tension that will be resolved with bold teaching in the temple at daybreak.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 8:3
But Saul laid waste the church, entering into every house, and dragging men and women committed them to prison.
- Hebrews 11:36
and others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
- Revelation 2:10
Fear not the things which thou art about to suffer: behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life.
- Luke 21:12
But before all these things, they shall lay their hands on you, and shall persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for my name’s sake.
- Acts 4:3
And they laid hands on them, and put them in ward unto the morrow: for it was now eventide.
- Acts 12:5
Peter therefore was kept in the prison: but prayer was made earnestly of the church unto God for him.
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