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 5:23KJV
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Acts 5:23 (KJV)

What does Acts 5:23 mean?

Acts 5:23 reports that the guards found the prison securely locked and guarded from the outside, but when they opened the doors, the prisoners were gone. This surprised everyone because there was no sign of escape or disturbance, yet the apostles were missing.

The verse is part of a report given by the officers to the Jewish leaders after being sent to fetch the apostles from jail. The officers are describing a puzzling situation: the prison (where the apostles had been held) was still locked tight, the guards were still at their posts, but the apostles were not inside. This sets up the miraculous nature of the apostles’ escape, highlighting that something beyond ordinary explanation had taken place.

The Greek behind Acts 5:23

  • "πᾶς" (pas, G3956) — translated "all": This word emphasizes that every possible precaution had been taken; the prison was secure in every way.
  • "ἀσφάλεια" (asphaleia, G803) — translated "safety": This word means security or firmness, stressing that the prison was not only locked but also under careful watch, making the disappearance even more remarkable.
  • "ἔξω" (exō, G1854) — translated "without": This clarifies that the guards were stationed outside the doors, not inside with the prisoners, which explains how they could be unaware of the escape.

Why Acts 5:23 matters

  • Acts 5:23 clears up that the apostles’ escape was not due to negligence or a break-in; the security measures were intact, and the guards did their job.
  • The verse builds suspense and highlights the miraculous intervention described earlier in the chapter, making it clear that this was not a normal jailbreak.
  • This detail prepares the reader for the reaction of the religious leaders and underscores the theme that God’s purposes cannot be stopped by human barriers.

Where else these words appear

“safety” Greek G803 · used in 3 verses

  • Luke 1:4 That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

“keepers” Greek G5441 · used in 3 verses

  • Acts 12:6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.
  • Acts 12:19 And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode.

“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 5:21 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 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.

“within” Greek G2080 · used in 8 verses

  • Matthew 26:58 But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.
  • Mark 15:16 And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band.
  • Romans 7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: