Étude 1 sur 3 · La délivrance miraculeuse des apôtres

  1. Étude 1 : La délivrance miraculeuse des apôtres
  2. Étude 2 : La recherche des prisonniers
  3. Étude 3 : L’intervention du pharisien Gamaliel
  • 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.

    Acts 5.19 (King James Version) :
    But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
    Read more

    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • 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 5.21 (King James Version) :
    And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
    Read more

    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • 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 5.34 (King James Version) :
    Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
    Read more

    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate