Lesson Ten: The Apostles Imprisoned

Acts 5:17-42

Key Verse

"And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name."

— Acts 5:41 Textual Questions Read Acts 5:17-42

Lesson Questions

Read Acts 5:17-42 carefully before answering these questions.

1. What was done? Who did it? 5:17-18

2. What was done next? Who did it? 5:19-20

3. What were the apostles doing? What did the council do? 5:21-23

4. Who was concerned about this matter and what report did they hear? 5:24-25

5. Who went to get the apostles and how did they conduct themselves? 5:26

6. When the apostles were before the council, what was said to them? 5:27-28

7. Give the first part of the apostles' answer. 5:29-30

8. Then what did they say? 5:31-32

9. How did the council react? 5:33-34

10. Summarize Gamaliel's advice. 5:33-39

11. What did the council do? 5:40

12. How did the apostles react to all of this? 5:41-42

Thought Questions

A. How was this persecution different from the persecution in Acts 4?

B. Was the reaction to persecution the same in Acts 5 as it was in Acts 4?

C. By preaching in the temple, were the apostles violating any law?

D. What may we learn about the Christian's relationship to his government?

E. Of what were the apostles accused in Acts 5:28? Were they guilty?

F. Did the apostles admit any guilt? If so, what?

G. What proof was given for the statements in Acts 5:29-31?

H. Evaluate the advice of Gamaliel? (Was it good advice or was it bad advice?)

Supplementary Materials

Escalation: First Persecution vs. Second Persecution The opposition to the apostles intensified between Acts 4 and Acts 5: Aspect Acts 4 (First) Acts 5 (Second) Who arrested Priests, captain, Sadducees High priest and Sadducees Who was arrested Peter and John (2 All the apostles apostles) Where held In custody (hold) Common (public) prison Motive of opponents Grieved at the teaching "Filled with indignation" (jealousy) Punishment Threatened only Beaten (physically punished) Council's desire Stop the teaching "Minded to slay them" (5:33)

The Angelic Release An angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought the apostles out (5:19). Notice several remarkable elements:

The doors remained shut: Officers found "the prison shut with all safety" (5:23)
The guards were undisturbed: "Keepers standing without before the doors" (5:23)
The prisoners were gone: "No man within" — a divine jailbreak
The command was to preach: "Go, stand and speak in the temple... all the words of this life" (5:20)

God did not release them so they could escape — He released them so they could keep preaching! The angel's command was to go right back to the temple and continue the work that had gotten them arrested.

The Apostles' Defense Before the Council When brought before the council again, the apostles gave a powerful defense:

Verse	Statement
5:29	"We ought to obey God rather than men."
5:30a	"The God of our fathers raised up Jesus" — appealing to their shared heritage
5:30b	"Whom ye slew and hanged on a tree" — direct accusation of guilt
5:31	"Him hath God exalted... to be a Prince and a Saviour" — Jesus is now reigning
5:31	"To give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins" — salvation still offered
5:32	"We are his witnesses... and so is also the Holy Ghost" — two witnesses confirm the truth

Gamaliel: The Pharisee Who Intervened

When the council was ready to execute the apostles, a Pharisee named Gamaliel intervened: Detail Information Title "A doctor of the law" — a teacher and expert in the Mosaic Law Reputation "Had in reputation among all the people" — widely respected Sect Pharisee — unlike the Sadducees, Pharisees believed in resurrection Notable student Saul of Tarsus (Paul) — "brought up... at the feet of Gamaliel" (Acts 22:3) Historical note Grandson of the famous Hillel; first of only seven rabbis given the title "Rabban"

Gamaliel's Argument Gamaliel gave two historical examples to support his counsel: Leader Claim/Movement Outcome Theudas (5:36) "Boasting himself to be Slain; followers scattered and somebody"; about 400 came to nothing followers Judas of Galilee Rose up "in the days of the Perished; followers dispersed (5:37) taxing"; drew away people

His conclusion (5:38-39): "If this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God."

Evaluating Gamaliel's Advice Was Gamaliel's advice good or bad? Consider both perspectives: Arguments that it was good advice:

It saved the apostles' lives at that moment
It showed caution against fighting God
His premise was correct — what is from God will endure

Arguments that it was flawed advice:

It assumed a "wait and see" approach to truth — but truth should be investigated, not just observed over time
False movements can persist for centuries (Islam, Buddhism, etc.), so longevity alone doesn't prove divine origin
It avoided personal responsibility — Gamaliel didn't investigate the evidence himself
It was pragmatism, not faith — the right response was to examine the evidence and obey the truth

Rejoicing in Suffering The apostles' response to being beaten is remarkable (5:41-42):

They rejoiced: "Rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name"
They continued: "Daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not"
They kept preaching: "To teach and preach Jesus Christ"

This attitude reflects Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5:10-12 — those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake are blessed. The apostles considered it an honor, not a hardship, to suffer for Christ.

Key Cross-References

Reference	Acts Verse	Connection
Acts 4:19	Acts 5:29	Repeated principle: obey God rather than men
Deut. 21:22-23	Acts 5:30	"Hanged on a tree" — cursed death (cf. Gal. 3:13)
Acts 2:33-36	Acts 5:31	Jesus exalted as Prince and Savior
Acts 22:3	Acts 5:34	Paul studied under Gamaliel
Matt. 5:10-12	Acts 5:41	Blessed when persecuted; rejoice and be glad
1 Peter 4:13-16	Acts 5:41	Rejoice in sharing Christ's sufferings

Note: Despite threats, imprisonment, and beatings, the apostles "ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ" (5:42). Persecution could not silence them — it only strengthened their resolve.