And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, 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 to have them brought.

ACTS 5:21KJV
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Acts 5:21 (KJV)

What does Acts 5:21 mean?

Acts 5:21 describes how, after hearing a message (from an angel earlier in the chapter), the apostles entered the temple early in the morning and began teaching the people. Meanwhile, the high priest and his associates gathered the Jewish council and sent for the apostles to be brought from prison, not knowing they had already left.

This verse takes place in Jerusalem, where the apostles had been imprisoned for preaching about Jesus. The apostles, following the angel’s instructions, returned to public teaching at daybreak. At the same time, the religious leaders—unaware of the apostles’ escape—assembled the full council (the Sanhedrin and the elders) to deal with them, highlighting the contrast between the apostles’ bold obedience and the leaders’ lack of awareness.

The Greek behind Acts 5:21

  • "συνεκάλεσαν" (synekalesan, "called together"): This word means to summon or convene a group, here referring to the high priest gathering the council. It emphasizes the formality and seriousness of the meeting.
  • "γερουσίαν" (gerousian, "senate"): This term refers to the elders of Israel, showing that not just the Sanhedrin but a broader group of respected leaders was involved, underlining the gravity of the situation.
  • "ὑπὸ τὸν ὄρθρον" (hypo ton orthron, "early in the morning"): This phrase points to the apostles’ eagerness and urgency to resume teaching, as they wasted no time after being freed.

Why Acts 5:21 matters

  • Acts 5:21 highlights the apostles’ immediate and courageous obedience to God’s instruction, even after facing imprisonment.
  • The verse shows the disconnect between the religious leaders’ plans and what God was actually doing, setting up a dramatic moment in the story.
  • By mentioning both the Sanhedrin and the elders, the verse emphasizes how seriously the authorities viewed the apostles’ actions, which helps readers understand the tension and stakes in the early church’s mission.

Where else these words appear

“morning” Greek G3722 · used in 3 verses

  • Luke 24:1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.
  • John 8:2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.

“prison” Greek G1201 · used in 4 verses

  • Matthew 11:2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
  • Acts 5:23 Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.
  • Acts 16:26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.

“called” Greek G4779 · used in 8 verses

  • Mark 15:16 And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band.
  • Luke 15:6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
  • Luke 23:13 And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,

“council” Greek G4892 · used in 22 verses

  • Matthew 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
  • John 11:47 Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.
  • Acts 22:30 On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him from his bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.