Acts 5:24
What does Acts 5:24 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 5:24 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 5:24 means
The captain of the temple and the chief priests are deeply perplexed, wondering what this would lead to. Their concern is not humble inquiry but anxious calculation—how will this affect their control? The miraculous dimensions unsettle them; they cannot account for what has happened. This confusion foreshadows the difficulty they face in suppressing a movement evidently helped by God. The verse captures a moment of leadership disarray before decisive news arrives. It shows that the advance of the gospel not only heals the broken but also unsettles entrenched power structures that prefer predictability over truth.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were much perplexed concerning them whereunto this would grow.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were much perplexed concerning them whereunto this would grow.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Now, at these words, the captain of the Temple and the chief priests were greatly troubled about what might be the end of this business.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And as the priest, and the magistrate of the temple, and the chief priests, heard these words, they were doubting concerning them to what this would come;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Now when the officer of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were in doubt concerning them, what would come to pass.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And when they heard these words, both the priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests were in perplexity as to them, what this would come to.
Context
After learning that the prison was secure but empty, the authorities are at a loss. This moment of uncertainty prepares for the next report: the apostles are publicly teaching in the temple. The narrative builds the contrast between official perplexity and apostolic boldness. The following verse will announce the apostles’ location, prompting a carefully measured re-arrest, one that avoids violence due to fear of the people. This prepares the ground for the hearing before the council, where core issues of authority and obedience to God will be brought to the forefront again.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 11:47
The chief priests therefore and the Pharisees gathered a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many signs.
- Acts 4:16
saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been wrought through them, is manifest to all that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.
- Daniel 2:34
Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon its feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them in pieces.
- Acts 2:12
And they were all amazed, and were perplexed, saying one to another, What meaneth this?
- Mark 4:30
And he said, How shall we liken the kingdom of God? or in what parable shall we set it forth?
- Acts 4:21
And they, when they had further threatened them, let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people; for all men glorified God for that which was done.
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