And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,

ACTS 5:27KJV
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Acts 5:27 (KJV)

What does Acts 5:27 mean?

Acts 5:27 describes the apostles being brought before Jerusalem’s ruling council to answer the high priest. The verse marks the moment when the dispute over their public teaching becomes a formal confrontation with the city’s religious leaders.

The high priest is the one who begins the questioning. The sentence stops before his words are given, so readers must go on to verse 28 to hear his charge. The apostles’ presence before the council follows their being brought from the temple area in verse 26.

The Greek behind Acts 5:27

  • “council” — συνέδριον (synedrion): This word refers to an assembly that meets to consider matters and make decisions. Here it names the ruling body before which the apostles are placed.
  • “asked” — ἐπερωτάω (eperōtaō): This word can mean to question someone. In this setting, the high priest’s question is part of a formal inquiry rather than a casual conversation.

Why Acts 5:27 matters

  • The council’s concern is about the apostles’ teaching. In verse 28, the high priest refers to an earlier order not to teach in Jesus’ name.
  • The verse places the apostles before a group, even though the high priest speaks for the moment. His questioning takes place with the council present, giving the exchange a public and official setting.

Where else these words appear

“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.

“asked” Greek G1905 · used in 58 verses

  • Matthew 12:10 And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.
  • Mark 9:33 And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?
  • Luke 8:30 And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him.

“brought” Greek G71 · used in 71 verses

  • Matthew 10:18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
  • Luke 23:32 And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.
  • Acts 17:15 And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed.

“priest” Greek G749 · used in 120 verses

  • Matthew 2:4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
  • Mark 14:66 And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest:
  • John 19:15 But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.