Acts 5 16

Acts 5:16 kjv

There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

Acts 5:16 nkjv

Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

Acts 5:16 niv

Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.

Acts 5:16 esv

The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

Acts 5:16 nlt

Crowds came from the villages around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those possessed by evil spirits, and they were all healed.

Acts 5 verses

Acts 5 16 Meaning

Acts 5:16 describes the immense drawing power of God's presence manifesting through the apostles in early Jerusalem. Multitudes of people from surrounding cities traveled to Jerusalem, bringing with them individuals suffering from various physical ailments and those tormented by unclean spirits. The verse highlights the undeniable reality that, through the power of God, every single person brought before the apostles was healed, testifying to the extraordinary divine authentication of their ministry and the burgeoning of the early church.

Acts 5 16 Context

Acts chapter 5 unfolds immediately after the accounts of rapid church growth and intense persecution faced by the apostles. It begins dramatically with God's severe judgment on Ananias and Sapphira for their deception regarding contributions, demonstrating God's holiness within the community. Following this, the narrative shifts to the public ministry of the apostles (Acts 5:12-16). They gathered in Solomon's Colonnade, a prominent public space within the Temple area. Despite the judgment shown earlier, or perhaps because of it, the common people held the apostles in high esteem, even as "no one else dared join them." The respect and awe they commanded, coupled with the abundant signs and wonders God performed through their hands, generated widespread public attention and trust. Acts 5:16 is the pinnacle of this growing reputation, portraying an unprecedented level of regional recognition and drawing vast numbers of afflicted individuals to Jerusalem in search of healing. Historically, Jerusalem was the spiritual hub, naturally drawing people, but this influx was specifically for the extraordinary demonstrations of divine power through the apostles, echoing the magnetic effect of Jesus's ministry.

Acts 5 16 Word analysis

• And there came also: Signifies continuation and intensification of the activity described in earlier verses, highlighting the growing impact beyond initial Jerusalem believers.
• multitude (Greek: plēthos): Denotes a large, general crowd or gathering of people. It implies a significant number, underscoring the widespread reputation of the apostles' power. This wasn't just a few; it was a vast assembly.
• out of the cities round about (Greek: ek tōn poleōn kyklōthen): Emphasizes that the phenomenon extended beyond Jerusalem's immediate population. It points to a regional awakening or an intense spreading of the news, indicating the supernatural reach of God's work.
• unto Jerusalem: Highlights Jerusalem as the geographical and spiritual epicenter of God's work, consistent with prophetic expectations (Isa 2:2-3, Zech 8:20-23) and Jesus's directive for the gospel to start there (Acts 1:8). It underscores its continuing role in God's plan.
• bringing sick folks (Greek: pherontes astheneis): The term asthenēis broadly refers to those who are weak, infirm, or suffering from various physical ailments and diseases. It includes a wide spectrum of physical maladies, showing the pervasive nature of suffering addressed by divine power.
• and them which were vexed with unclean spirits (Greek: kai ochloumenous hypo pneumatōn akathartōn):
  • vexed (Greek: ochloumenous): Derived from ochleō, meaning to trouble, harass, or disturb. It suggests affliction, torment, or being physically or mentally distressed by something. While often signifying demon possession, this term can also indicate general demonic oppression or harassment short of full possession, yet still severe. It distinctly refers to spiritual oppression rather than physical sickness.
  • unclean spirits (Greek: pneumatōn akathartōn): Clearly identifies demonic entities, forces of evil that inflict suffering, whether physical, mental, or spiritual. This specific phrase is commonly used in the Gospels to refer to demons that Jesus cast out, indicating continuity of authority over evil forces.
• and they were healed (Greek: etherapeuonto): The Greek verb is in the imperfect passive tense, suggesting continuous or repeated action. It means "they were being healed" or "they kept on being healed," implying a continuous flow of healing over time, rather than a single event. It emphasizes the ongoing nature of God's power at work through the apostles.
• every one (Greek: hapantes): A powerful and unqualified statement, asserting that not a single person was left unhealed. This highlights the absolute and universal power of God at work, with no limitations or failures, serving as undeniable proof of the divine origin of the apostles' ministry.

Acts 5 16 Bonus section

The profound scale of healing in Acts 5:16 – "every one" – signifies a unique period of apostolic authentication. It serves as God's profound attestation to the nascent Church's message and the apostles' authority. This magnitude of widespread, comprehensive healing, especially the deliverance from demonic oppression, echoes the scope and authority present during Jesus's earthly ministry. It implies a saturation of divine power for evangelistic impact. The immediate success with "every one" is rarely replicated on such a universal scale in later Church history, leading scholars to identify it as part of the foundational "signs and wonders" era designed to confirm the new covenant's launch. Furthermore, the willingness of people from "cities round about" to travel long distances for healing demonstrates desperation and a prevailing hope placed in the power associated with the Jerusalem believers. This event highlights the initial phase of the Church, where tangible divine intervention served as primary proof points before the New Testament Scriptures were fully written and widely disseminated.

Acts 5 16 Commentary

Acts 5:16 stands as a compelling testament to the supernatural power active in the early Christian community, a power stemming directly from the Holy Spirit bestowed upon the apostles. This verse marks a peak in the public demonstration of divine favor and authority. The influx of multitudes from beyond Jerusalem speaks to the wide dissemination of news concerning the apostles' miraculous works, which served as powerful authentication for their message and ministry. The specific mention of healing both physical sickness and those vexed by unclean spirits underscores the comprehensive nature of God's liberating power—it addresses both bodily affliction and spiritual oppression. The phrase "healed every one" is profoundly significant; it implies consistent, unwavering, and absolute success, eliminating any room for doubt about the source of this power. Such undeniable signs were critical in a time without modern medical understanding, confirming God's presence and validation of the gospel preached by the apostles. This unparalleled level of divine intervention laid a strong foundation for the early church's rapid growth, demonstrating the Kingdom of God tangibly invading human suffering.