Acts 5:20
What does Acts 5:20 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 5:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 5:20 means
The angel commissions the apostles: “Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this Life.” The command is bold and public—return to the very place of arrest and proclaim the full message. “This Life” points to the salvation and resurrection life in Jesus, who is repeatedly proclaimed in Acts as raised and exalted. The apostles are to declare everything, not a trimmed message acceptable to authorities. The verbs—go, stand, speak—stress courage and clarity. The divine instruction defines their obedience: God’s word, for all the people, in God’s house. Mission, not self-preservation, is the priority.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Go ye, and stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this Life.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Go ye, and stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this Life.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Go, take your place in the Temple and give the people all the teaching about this Life.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`Go on, and standing, speak in the temple to the people all the sayings of this life;'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Go, and standing speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Go ye and stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
Context
Coming right after the miraculous release, this charge reveals the purpose of deliverance. The apostles are freed to preach, not to hide. The temple setting ensures maximum visibility and a direct challenge to the previous command to be silent. The next verse will show their immediate obedience at daybreak, while the council convenes unaware. The contrast between God’s commission and the council’s summons frames the coming clash. It sets the narrative to highlight that the apostles answer to a higher authority when forbidden to speak in Jesus’ name.
v.19But an angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them out, and said,
v.20This passage
v.21And when they heard this, they entered into the temple about daybreak, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison-house to have them brought.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Exodus 24:3
And Moses came and told the people all the words of Jehovah, and all the ordinances: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which Jehovah hath spoken will we do.
- Jeremiah 26:2
Thus saith Jehovah: Stand in the court of Jehovah’s house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in Jehovah’s house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word.
- Jeremiah 7:2
Stand in the gate of Jehovah’s house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of Jehovah, all ye of Judah, that enter in at these gates to worship Jehovah.
- 1 John 5:11
And the witness is this, that God gave unto us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
- Isaiah 58:1
Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and declare unto my people their transgression, and to the house of Jacob their sins.
- 1 John 1:1
That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we beheld, and our hands handled, concerning the Word of life
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