Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.

ACTS 5:20KJV
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Acts 5:20 (KJV)

What does Acts 5:20 mean?

Acts 5:20 records an angel’s command to the apostles, telling them to go stand in the temple and speak to the people about “all the words of this life.” The verse means the apostles are to publicly share the full message about the new life found through Jesus, right in the heart of Jerusalem.

The setting is after the apostles have been arrested for teaching about Jesus. During the night, an angel frees them from prison and gives this instruction. The phrase “all the words of this life” points to the message of salvation and hope in Jesus, which the apostles are told to proclaim openly and completely, not holding anything back.

The Greek behind Acts 5:20

  • ζωή (zōē, G2222) — “life”: This word is often used in the New Testament to mean not just physical life, but a new, spiritual kind of life connected to Jesus. Here, “this life” highlights the quality and fullness of life the apostles are to talk about.
  • ῥῆμα (rhēma, G4487) — “words”: This word can mean spoken words or sayings. The instruction is to share all the specific teachings and truths about this new life, not just general ideas.
  • ἱερόν (hieron, G2411) — “temple”: The temple was the central place of worship and public gathering in Jerusalem. Being told to speak there means the message is meant for everyone, in the most public and significant place possible.

Why Acts 5:20 matters

  • Acts 5:20 clarifies that the apostles are not to keep their message private or selective; they are to share the whole story about Jesus openly, even after being threatened.
  • The verse shows that the message of Jesus is described as “life,” emphasizing its importance and the transformation it brings, not just a set of teachings.
  • This command connects to the larger theme in Acts of the apostles’ boldness and God’s intervention, showing that the spread of the gospel is not stopped by human opposition.

Where else these words appear

“temple” Greek G2411 · used in 67 verses

  • Matthew 4:5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
  • Luke 19:45 And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought;
  • Acts 3:2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

“words” Greek G4487 · used in 67 verses

  • Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
  • Luke 18:34 And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.
  • Acts 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

“this” Greek G5026 · used in 119 verses

  • Matthew 10:23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
  • Luke 18:5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
  • Acts 23:13 And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy.

“life” Greek G2222 · used in 126 verses

  • Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
  • John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
  • Colossians 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.