Acts 5:28
What does Acts 5:28 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 5:28 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 5:28 means
The high priest reminds the apostles of a strict command not to teach in “this name,” accusing them of filling Jerusalem with their teaching and of intending to bring “this man’s blood” upon the council. The wording avoids saying Jesus’ name, revealing hostility and a desire to distance themselves. Ironically, the charge acknowledges the mission’s success—Jerusalem is saturated with the message. The leaders feel implicated in Jesus’ death, which the apostles indeed proclaim as part of the gospel. The issue is unmistakable: the apostles’ obedience to God’s commission versus the council’s attempt to silence the testimony about the crucified and risen Christ.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000saying, We strictly charged you not to teach in this name: and behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901saying, We strictly charged you not to teach in this name: and behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949We gave you very clear orders not to give teaching in this name: and now Jerusalem is full of your teaching, and you are attempting to make us responsible for this man's death.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862saying, `Did not we strictly command you not to teach in this name? and lo, ye have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and ye intend to bring upon us the blood of this man.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Saying: Commanding, we commanded you that you should not teach in this name. And behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine: and you have a mind to bring the blood of this man upon us.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890saying, We strictly enjoined you not to teach in this name: and lo, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and purpose to bring upon us the blood of this man.
Context
This accusation follows the apostles’ re-arrest and sets the terms of the confrontation. The authorities focus on the forbidden name and the spread of the message. The next verse presents the apostles’ response, with Peter speaking for the group. He will assert the necessity of obeying God rather than men and will again proclaim Jesus’ resurrection, exaltation, and saving purpose. The narrative is moving to its theological center, where the claims about Jesus are placed before Israel’s leadership with clarity and courage.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Kings 21:20
And Ahab said to Elijah, Hast thou found me, O mine enemy? And he answered, I have found thee, because thou hast sold thyself to do that which is evil in the sight of Jehovah.
- Jeremiah 38:4
Then the princes said unto the king, Let this man, we pray thee, be put to death; forasmuch as he weakeneth the hands of the men of war that remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words unto them: for this man seeketh not the welfare of this people, but the hurt.
- Matthew 23:35
that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of Abel the righteous unto the blood of Zachariah son of Barachiah, whom ye slew between the sanctuary and the altar.
- Acts 5:40
And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles unto them, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
- 1 Kings 22:8
And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of Jehovah, Micaiah the son of Imlah: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.
- Matthew 27:25
And all the people answered and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.
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