What does Acts 5:21 mean?
The Sanhedrin, the religious court of the Jews, arrested Peter and John and ordered them not to speak in Jesus' name. Peter and John respectfully told them they were going to do what God told them to do. When they returned to their friends, the group prayed for boldness and courage, and the Holy Spirit responded, shaking the ground with His approval (Acts 4:1–31).The apostles continued their ministry in the temple courtyard, and the priests put them all in jail (Acts 5:17–18). This next morning, the priests gather with the rest of the Sanhedrin—the elders and scribes from both the Sadducees and Pharisees—to try the apostles for breaking their direct order. Except, the defendants aren't there. In the night, God sent an angel to release them and tell them to continue their work (Acts 5:19–20).
Jesus prepared the apostles for this civil disobedience. He taught them not to fear those who threaten to kill their bodies but to respect the God who can send their souls to hell (Luke 12:4–5). Before they received the Holy Spirit, they couldn't do this. They scattered at Jesus' arrest (Mark 14:50), Peter denied knowing Him (Mark 14:66–72), and even after Jesus rose from the dead they hid from the Jewish leaders in a locked room (John 20:19). Now that they have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, they are emboldened to defy human rulers in the service of God.
Acts 5:17–26 occurs after the chief priests arrested Peter and John for preaching and healing in Jesus' name, and ordered them not to do so again (Acts 4:1–22). Now, all the apostles are healing and preaching in Jesus' name (Acts 5:12–16), and so the priests arrest them all. At this point, the Sanhedrin is still afraid of the people (Acts 5:26); after all, the apostles are so powerful the people believe even Peter's shadow can heal the sick (Acts 5:15). Soon, the council will get bolder. A mob will kill Stephen (Acts 7:54–60), and then a Pharisee named Saul will help the council drive almost all the Jesus-followers out of Jerusalem (Acts 8:1–3).
The apostles continue to make hard decisions in the name of Jesus, both inside and outside the church. When Ananias and Sapphira lie to God, the Holy Spirit inspires Peter to pronounce God's judgment on them, protecting the church from the love of the world. Despite the Sanhedrin's watchful eye—and direct orders (Acts 4:17–18)—the apostles continue to preach and heal openly. The guards arrest the apostles, but the Sanhedrin settles for beating them instead of capital punishment. The apostles consider it an honor to suffer on behalf of their Savior.