Studies 1 to 3
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ADA020
The miraculous deliverance of the apostles
This article examines the miraculous deliverance of the apostles (Acts 5.19-21) in Jerusalem in the spring of 33. Arrested by the high priest and the Sadducees, the apostles are freed from prison by an angel during the night. Luke relates this miracle with restraint, stressing its theological significance and its parallels with the Old Testament. The angel entrusts the freed apostles with the mission of announcing in the Temple 'all the words of this life', an expression referring to the message of salvation in Jesus Christ.
John 6.68 (King James Version) :Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
ADA021
The search for the prisoners
Analysis of Acts 5.21-26: after the miraculous deliverance of the apostles, the Sanhedrin discovers the empty cells. Luke highlights the perplexity of the religious authorities, the embarrassment of the captain of the Temple and the fear of a popular reaction. Despite the inexplicable, the religious leaders persist in their opposition and order a second arrest, illustrating God's sovereignty over all human opposition.
Acts 5.24 (King James Version) :Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
ADA023
The intervention of the Pharisee Gamaliel
During a session of the Sanhedrin in the spring of 33, the Pharisee Gamaliel steps in to calm the Sadducees who want to put the apostles to death. By a pragmatic argument drawing on the precedents of Theudas and Judas the Galilean, he persuades the council to adopt a wait-and-see position. From Luke's perspective, his words illustrate a central theme of Acts: the work of God cannot be stopped by men.
Acts 5.40 (King James Version) :And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org