Acts 5:19
What does Acts 5:19 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 5:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 5:19 means
At night, an angel of the Lord opens the prison doors, brings the apostles out, and speaks to them. This quiet, decisive intervention shows that God is not thwarted by human confinement. The angel’s act is both rescue and commissioning, underlining that deliverance serves mission. The timing—by night—avoids spectacle and focuses on obedience. The miracle authenticates the apostles as God’s servants and contrasts with the authorities’ powerless guards and secure locks. The Lord Himself ensures that His messengers continue their task. The emphasis is not on the angel but on the God who sends and speaks through His envoy.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But an angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them out, and said,
KJV
King James Version · 1611But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But an angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them out, and said,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But in the night an angel of the Lord, opening the doors of the prison, took them out and said,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and a messenger of the Lord through the night opened the doors of the prison, having also brought them forth, he said,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But an angel of the Lord by night, opening the doors of the prison and leading them out, said:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But an angel of [the] Lord during the night opened the doors of the prison, and leading them out, said,
Context
This verse breaks the narrative tension created by the arrest. God intervenes supernaturally, confirming that the church’s advance is under divine protection and guidance. The angel will immediately give a mandate about what to say and where to say it. The following verses will show the authorities baffled by the empty, intact prison and the apostles already teaching in the temple. This ironic reversal underscores that God’s counsel stands, while human control falters. The stage is set for a fresh confrontation before the council, where Peter will again proclaim Jesus’ resurrection and exaltation.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 8:26
But an angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza: the same is desert.
- Psalms 146:7
Who executeth justice for the oppressed; Who giveth food to the hungry. Jehovah looseth the prisoners;
- Acts 16:26
and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison-house were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened; and every one’s bands were loosed.
- Acts 27:23
For there stood by me this night an angel of the God whose I am, whom also I serve,
- Psalms 105:17
He sent a man before them; Joseph was sold for a servant:
- Luke 1:11
And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
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