Acts 5 13

Acts 5:13 kjv

And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.

Acts 5:13 nkjv

Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly.

Acts 5:13 niv

No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people.

Acts 5:13 esv

None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem.

Acts 5:13 nlt

But no one else dared to join them, even though all the people had high regard for them.

Acts 5 verses

Acts 5 13 Meaning

Acts 5:13 presents a twofold response to the early Christian community after God's potent actions. On one hand, due to a profound sense of awe and the demonstrated seriousness of divine judgment (seen in Ananias and Sapphira's fate), individuals not fully committed or those on the periphery of the fellowship dared not integrate themselves intimately with the apostles and core believers. On the other hand, the general populace, the common people of Jerusalem, held the apostles in very high esteem, publicly acknowledging and honoring the extraordinary power of God at work through them, even without joining their number.

Acts 5 13 Context

Acts 5:13 is positioned within a transformative period for the early church in Jerusalem. It follows directly after the severe divine judgment of Ananias and Sapphira for their deception (Acts 5:1-11), an event that instilled "great fear upon the whole church and upon all who heard these things" (Acts 5:11). Following verse 13, the narrative recounts how the apostles performed "many signs and wonders among the people" (Acts 5:12, 15-16), specifically in Solomon's Portico, leading to increasing numbers of genuine believers being added to the Lord (Acts 5:14). Thus, Acts 5:13 articulates a dual public reaction: a deterrent effect on superficial adherence due to the holiness and gravity within the church, combined with widespread admiration and respect from the general populace for the evident divine power at work. The public setting in Solomon's Portico underscores the visibility of both the miracles and these societal reactions.

Acts 5 13 Word analysis

• But: (ἀλλά, alla) A strong adversative conjunction, signifying a direct contrast. It distinguishes the reactions described in this verse from the overall context of gathering in Solomon's Porch, highlighting diverse public responses to the apostles' ministry.

• of the rest: (τῶν δὲ λοιπῶν, tōn de loipōn) Refers to those who were not fully immersed members of the apostolic fellowship. This likely includes individuals who were nominal adherents, sympathizers, or even potential converts, but who had not yet made a sincere, full commitment to the community. It explicitly excludes "the people" who showed magnification.

• durst: (ἐτόλμα, etolma, from τολμάω, tolmao) Implies a daring or courageous act. Here, in the negative ("durst no man"), it means there was a strong disinclination or an utter lack of courage. This highlights the profound impact of the preceding events (Ananias and Sapphira), which instilled a sacred fear preventing insincere or presumptuous attempts to join.

• no man: (οὐδείς, oudeis) An absolute negative, meaning "not one single individual." This emphasizes the universality of this specific response among "the rest," highlighting the significant barrier perceived for entry into the core fellowship.

• join himself to them: (κολλᾶσθαι αὐτοῖς, kollasthai autois, from κολλάω, kollao – to glue, to cleave, to firmly adhere) This signifies much more than casual association or attendance. It speaks to a deep, permanent identification and intimate spiritual communion with the apostles and the body of Christ. The perceived danger of superficiality, as demonstrated by Ananias and Sapphira's fate, served as a powerful deterrent. "Them" refers to the apostles and the faithful, genuine community.

• but the people: (ἀλλὰ ὁ λαός, alla ho laos) This is another contrast, introducing a different group entirely: the common populace, the broader, non-believing residents of Jerusalem, as distinct from the Jewish religious authorities or the church's periphery.

• magnified them: (ἐμεγάλυνεν αὐτούς, emegalunen autous, from μεγαλύνω, megaluno – to make great, to enlarge, to glorify, to praise highly, to extol) This indicates deep respect, high honor, and public praise. It implies that the general public was awed by the extraordinary power, holiness, and divine favor evident in the apostles, attributing greatness to them, and implicitly to God working through them. "Them" again refers to the apostles, by whose hands God was performing wonders.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "But of the rest durst no man join himself to them": This phrase powerfully illustrates the high standard of purity and commitment required for true entry into the early Christian community. The dramatic judgment on Ananias and Sapphira instilled a deep, reverent fear that deterred any attempt at superficial or self-serving affiliation with the apostles' serious and holy ministry. This created a visible and understood boundary between casual interest and genuine, profound commitment.
  • "but the people magnified them": This contrasting clause reveals the widespread public awe and respect the apostles commanded. Despite the internal rigor and holy judgment within the community, the broader populace admired and honored the apostles, acknowledging the authentic divine power manifested through them. This suggests that even those outside the church could recognize and appreciate the divine authority and impact of the apostles' work.

Acts 5 13 Bonus section

• The "great fear" mentioned in Acts 5:11, directly preceding this verse, is phobos megas, which denotes awe and reverential dread in the presence of divine power, not merely terror. This clarifies the nature of the apprehension felt by "the rest."
• The tension implied by "the people magnified them" can be seen to lead into the ensuing persecution faced by the apostles (Acts 5:17-18). The increasing public favor and magnification, coupled with God's clear backing of the apostles, often provoked the jealousy and opposition of religious authorities who feared losing their influence.
• This verse indirectly sets a precedent for church discipline and membership, implying that true commitment involves a serious covenant with God and His people, a stark contrast to casual religious affiliation.

Acts 5 13 Commentary

Acts 5:13 is a crucial verse illustrating the profound impact of God's presence and actions in the nascent church. The Ananias and Sapphira incident had a dual effect: it purified the church internally by establishing God's demand for integrity and truthfulness, while simultaneously deterring superficial allegiance from outsiders. A deep, holy fear settled over the community and those who observed, prompting caution among "the rest"—those who might have otherwise considered joining lightly or with mixed motives. This fear wasn't necessarily negative; it instilled a proper reverence for the seriousness of genuine commitment to the Christian fellowship, guarding against hypocritical inclusion. Simultaneously, this divine power and the ensuing miracles (mentioned in the preceding and following verses) garnered immense public respect from the wider populace. They "magnified" the apostles, acknowledging the extraordinary divine works being done through them, recognizing God's hand, even if they were not ready to take the serious step of joining the church themselves. This demonstrates that God's powerful work will always evoke both holy fear among those close to His presence and public recognition from the world. For instance, God's actions demand seriousness; those who are not ready for deep spiritual accountability may remain on the periphery. However, the integrity and power of His people still compel respect from even a non-believing society.