“Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
What’s striking here is the angel’s command to speak “all the words of this Life.” This isn't just about sharing good news; it’s about proclaiming the entirety of God’s message of salvation through Jesus, a complete and uncompromising revelation of the eternal life He offers. It emphasizes that God’s message is holistic, not just a selection of comforting truths, and that His people are called to share it without holding anything back.
“Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The apostles have just been miraculously released from prison by an angel after being arrested for healing and preaching. Despite the danger and the authorities' clear intent to silence them, they are immediately instructed to return to the temple, the very place where they were likely arrested, and boldly proclaim God's message of "this Life." This command comes right after the religious leaders, specifically the Sadducees, were filled with fury and determined to suppress their teaching.
Imagine being thrown in jail for sharing good news, only to be miraculously freed and told to do it again, in the same public place! That's the incredible situation the apostles found themselves in.
A Divine Mandate
God's command to the apostles was clear: "Go, stand and speak in the temple... all the words of this life." Even after their arrest and imprisonment, their mission wasn't over. In fact, it was amplified.
What makes the message the apostles were to preach so special? The text calls it 'all the words of this life.' This isn't just any message; it's the core of eternal hope.
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More Than Just Words
The phrase 'words of this life' is a profound way to describe the Gospel message. It points to its transformative power and eternal significance.
The apostles were commanded not just to speak, but to 'stand.' This simple word carries immense weight, especially given their recent experience.
More Than a Posture
The instruction to 'stand' implies more than just a physical stance; it’s a powerful metaphor for their spiritual posture.
Understand the original words
hieron · Greek Noun
The central place of worship in Jerusalem where God’s presence dwelt among His people. In the New Testament, it served as a primary site for the apostles to preach the message of the risen Christ.
zōē · Greek Noun
A profound designation for the Gospel or the salvation found in Jesus Christ. It signifies that true existence, eternal life, and deliverance from spiritual death are found solely in Him.
This event occurs during a critical period where the early apostles are testing the boundaries of religious and political authority in Jerusalem. Their miraculous deliverance and defiant return to preaching highlight the growing conflict between the burgeoning Christian movement and the established Jewish leadership.
c. AD 30
Crucifixion of Jesus
The central event of Christian faith, Jesus of Nazareth is crucified in Jerusalem under Roman authority. His followers believe he was resurrected three days later.
c. AD 30-33
Early Jerusalem Church Growth
Following Jesus' ascension, the Holy Spirit empowers his apostles and disciples, leading to rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. They preach boldly and perform miracles.
c. AD 33— this verse
Apostles Imprisoned and Freed
The apostles Peter and John are arrested by the Sanhedrin for preaching about Jesus in the temple. An angel miraculously frees them from prison overnight.
c. AD 33
Apostles' Re-arrest and Defense
The apostles return to teaching in the temple, are re-arrested, and brought before the Sanhedrin. Peter famously declares, "We must obey God rather than men."
c. AD 33
Gamaliel's Counsel
A respected Pharisee, Gamaliel, advises the Sanhedrin to let the apostles go, warning that if their movement is from God, they cannot stop it.
c. AD 33
Apostles Flogged and Released
The Sanhedrin has the apostles flogged but does not kill them. They are released with a command not to speak in Jesus' name.
Peter's response to Jesus, 'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life,' echoes the angel's instruction to the apostles to speak 'all the words of this Life.' This highlights that the 'life' spoken of is uniquely found in Christ and His teachings.
Acts 4:18This passage describes the same apostles being forbidden by the religious authorities to speak in Jesus' name, directly preceding their miraculous release and this command. It shows the pattern of opposition and God's empowering intervention.
Deuteronomy 18:18God's promise to raise up a prophet like Moses who will speak His words to the people parallels the angel's command for the apostles to proclaim 'all the words of this Life' in the temple. It points to the authoritative and life-giving nature of the message.
Philippians 2:16Paul's exhortation to 'hold fast to the word of life' connects to the apostles being sent to speak 'all the words of this Life.' It underscores the preciousness and enduring power of the message entrusted to believers.
Acts 4:29-30The apostles' prayer immediately after being threatened by the council was that God would grant them to 'continue to speak your word with all boldness,' which is precisely what they were commanded to do in Acts 5:20. This shows a direct link between their prayer and their mission.
jfbActs 5:12-26: "And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch."
Ac 5:12-26. The Progress of the New Cause Leads to the Arrest of the Apostles—They Are Miraculously Delivered from Prison, Resume Their Teaching, but Allow Themselves to Be Conducted before the Samhedrim.12. Solomon's Porch—(See on [1952]Joh 10:23).
clarkeActs 5:20: "Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life."
All the words of this life - All the doctrines of life eternal, founded on the word, death, and resurrection of Christ Jesus. This is another periphrasis for Gospel. Go to the temple - the most public place, and speak to the people - who come there to worship according to the law, the words of this life - the whole doctrine of salvation from sin and death; and show that the law is fulfilled in the sacrifice…
What’s striking here is the angel’s command to speak “all the words of this Life.” This isn't just about sharing good news; it’s about proclaiming the entirety of God’s message of salvation through Jesus, a complete and uncompromising revelation of the eternal life He offers. It emphasizes that God’s message is holistic, not just a selection of comforting truths, and that His people are called to share it without holding anything back.
The apostles have just been miraculously released from prison by an angel after being arrested for healing and preaching. Despite the danger and the authorities' clear intent to silence them, they are immediately instructed to return to the temple, the very place where they were likely arrested, and boldly proclaim God's message of "this Life." This command comes right after the religious leaders, specifically the Sadducees, were filled with fury and determined to suppress their teaching.
The apostles have just been miraculously released from prison by an angel after being arrested for healing and preaching. Despite the danger and the authorities' clear intent to silence them, they are immediately instructed to return to the temple, the very place where they were likely arrested, and boldly proclaim God's message of "this Life." This command comes right after the religious leaders, specifically the Sadducees, were filled with fury and determined to suppress their teaching.
"“Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.”" — What’s striking here is the angel’s command to speak “all the words of this Life.” This isn't just about sharing good news; it’s about proclaiming the entirety of God’s message of salvation through…
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Last reviewed October 2026