Opened prison gate

“But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the gates of the prison, and leading them out…” (1) The angel opened the doors of the prison at night and brought them out. (a) Luke does not record whether the apostles were surprised or not. (b) The supernatural intervention of God seems to have been a common experience for the apostles. (2) The angel commanded the apostles, “Go, stand and speak to the people in the temple area the whole message of this Life.” (a) The phrase “the whole message of this life” more literally is “all the words of this life” as how ASV choose to render. (b) This refers to the gospel of Jesus Christ. (c) Those who believe in Jesus Christ are given the life of Jesus’ resurrection. Therefore, the gospel is “the words about the life of Jesus.” Christianity is not a system of doctrines, but a participation in the life of Jesus. (3) The apostles returned to the temple at dawn and resumed preaching at the original location. (a) There was a large audience, as many people had come to the temple early in the morning for the 9 AM prayer. (b) The apostles taught in Solomon’s portico as they had done before. (c) They were released from prison to fulfill their mission to preach.

Perplexed leaders

“Now when the high priest and his associates came, they called the Council together, that is, all the Senate of the sons of Israel, and sent orders to the prison for them to be brought. But the officers who came did not find them in the prison; and they returned and reported, saying, ‘We found the prison locked quite securely and the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.’” (1) The Sadducees called together members of the Pharisees to convene a council and sent officers to the prison to bring the apostles to the council. What transpires here is quite a comedy. (2) The officers confirmed that the prison was empty and returned to report: (a) The prison was securely locked. (b) The guards were standing at the doors. (c) When they opened it, no one was inside. It seems the angel performed his job meticulously. After leading the apostles out, he apparently closed the prison doors behind them. “Now when the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them as to what would come of this.” The captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were perplexed about how far this new religious movement would go. This miracle is a blessing for those who follow God, but a threat to those who oppose Him. Those who follow God can rejoice in the progress of God’s work.