Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.

ACTS 5:25KJV
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Acts 5:25 (KJV)

What does Acts 5:25 mean?

Acts 5:25 reports that someone came and told the religious leaders that the men they had locked up in prison were now standing in the temple, openly teaching the people. This verse highlights the surprise and confusion of the authorities, since the apostles had somehow escaped and resumed their public ministry.

The setting is Jerusalem, shortly after the apostles had been arrested for preaching about Jesus. The message is delivered to the council (the Sanhedrin), who had expected the apostles to be securely held. Instead, the apostles are found in the most public place possible—the temple—teaching the crowds, which sets up the tension for the events that follow.

The Greek behind Acts 5:25

  • ἰδοὺ (idou, "Behold"): This word is used to draw attention, almost like saying "Look!" or "See!" It signals the urgency and surprise in the report being given to the authorities.
  • ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ (en tō hierō, "in the temple"): The Greek phrase makes clear that the apostles are not hiding; they are in the central place of Jewish worship, acting boldly and publicly.
  • διδάσκοντες (didaskontes, "teaching"): This word means more than just talking; it suggests instructing or explaining, showing that the apostles are actively spreading their message, not just making a scene.

Why Acts 5:25 matters

  • Acts 5:25 clears up any idea that the apostles were trying to escape notice or avoid confrontation; instead, they went straight back to teaching in the temple.
  • The verse emphasizes the boldness and commitment of the apostles, highlighting their obedience to God over human authority.
  • This moment sets the stage for the confrontation between the apostles and the religious leaders, showing the unstoppable nature of their mission and the growing challenge to the authorities.

Where else these words appear

“came” Greek G3854 · used in 37 verses

  • Matthew 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
  • John 3:23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
  • Acts 17:10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

“told” Greek G518 · used in 44 verses

  • Matthew 2:8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
  • Luke 8:20 And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee.
  • Acts 12:14 And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.

“prison” Greek G5438 · used in 45 verses

  • Matthew 5:25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
  • Luke 3:20 Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.
  • Acts 12:17 But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.

“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;