Book of Acts - Chapter 5 - Verse 21

This verse from Acts 5:21-22 describes an event where the apostles were found teaching in the temple early in the morning. This action of teaching in the temple was in direct defiance of the orders given by the high priest and the council, who had previously commanded the apostles not to teach in the name of Jesus. The high priest, along with his followers, called for a meeting of the council and the senate of the children of Israel to address this disobedience. The apostles were then arrested and sent to prison to await further judgment.

This passage highlights the conflict between the religious authorities who sought to suppress the teachings of the apostles and the apostles' commitment to spreading the message of Jesus Christ. Despite facing persecution and imprisonment, the apostles remained steadfast in their faith and continued to preach the gospel. This event serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by early Christians in sharing their beliefs and the importance of staying true to one's convictions in the face of opposition. It also emphasizes the power of faith and the willingness to endure hardships for the sake of spreading the word of God.

In this verse from Acts 5:21, the theological interpretation focuses on the theme of persecution and opposition faced by the early Christians as they boldly proclaimed the gospel message. The apostles Peter and John, having defied the orders of the high priest not to speak about Jesus, were promptly arrested and thrown into prison. The high priest, along with his supporters, then gathered the council and the senate of the children of Israel to confront the apostles. This passage highlights the intense pushback and resistance that the followers of Jesus encountered from the religious authorities of their time. Despite the threats and intimidation, the apostles remained steadfast in their faith and continued to teach about Jesus in the temple, undeterred by the consequences they faced. The word study of key terms such as "temple," "high priest," "prison," and "council" provides additional context and depth to the narrative, shedding light on the political and religious dynamics at play during this period in early Christian history.