Acts 5:13

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 5:12-16

We have here an account of the progress of the gospel, notwithstanding this terrible judgment inflicted upon two hypocrites. I. Here is a general account of the miracles which the apostles wrought (Acts 5:12): By the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people, many miracles of mercy for one of judgment. Now the gospel power returned to its proper channel, which is that of mercy and grace. God had come out of his place to punish, but now returns to his place, to... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 5:12-16

5:12-16 Many signs and wonders were done among the people through the hands of the apostles; and they were all together in Solomon's colonnade. Of the others no one dared to meddle with them. But the people held them in the highest esteem; nay more, crowds of men and women believed in the Lord and attached themselves to them. The result was that they brought the sick to the streets and laid them on beds and pallets, so that, when Peter came, even his shadow might fall on some of them; and a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 5:13

And of the rest durst no man join himself to them ,.... By the rest are meant, either those that were without the church, and those either the profane and persecuting sort, who durst not come nigh the apostles to touch them, or say one word to them, for fear of being struck dead; and so the Ethiopic version renders it, "and then there was no more any man that durst restrain them", or go about to hinder them from preaching: or the better sort, such who attended on the word, and were either... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 5:13

And of the rest, durst no man join him self to them - Who were these called the rest, των λοιπων ? Dr. Lightfoot thinks the 120 are intended, of which he supposes Ananias to have been one; who, all seeing such wonders wrought by the apostles, were afraid to associate themselves with them in any way of equality, as they saw that God put peculiar honor upon them. Calmet more rationally observes, that the Jewish nation was then divided into many different sects, who entertained widely... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 5:13

Verse 13 13.And of other durst no man. This was the second fruit of the miracles, in that these which believed not, being convict with the excellent power of God, dare not despise the apostles, but are rather enforced to reverence the Church. Yet that might seem an absurd thing, that being terrified with miracles, they flee from God and his people. I answer, that they were letted through their own fault from coming; and it is not to be doubted but that God doth call us unto himself by miracles.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 5:11-16

Elements of influence. Instead of the sin and death of Ananias and Sapphira proving disastrous to the infant Church, the melancholy event was followed by a period of extraordinary success: There was a high tide of prosperity; the gospel showed itself a great power in the community ( Acts 5:14 ). Here are some of the elements of that power. I. THE TERRIBLE . "Great fear came upon … as many as heard these things" ( Acts 5:11 ). "By terrible things in righteousness" God sometimes... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 5:12-16

The healing personality of Christ's servants. I. THEY ARE VEHICLES OF DIVINE POWER . The lips and the hands are consecrated to the service of doing good. Here especially the hands. It is a beautiful organ, the human hand, and may stand in Christian thought as the very symbol of beneficence. Signs and wonders are wrought, betokening that God is in immediate connection with the agency of man, that his presence is loving and healing, that Christianity brings in an era of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 5:12-16

"Clear shining after rain." The blessed effects of what at first is not fully understood. The outpouring of judgment may be a preparation for the outpouring of mercy. The Church has to be made and kept pure; then the deeper the work of grace among God's people becomes the larger the work of the gospel in the world. Notice— I. An increase in the manifestation of THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT . 1. In the working of miracles, which bad their special value in rousing attention... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 5:12-16

Jerusalem's second summer. While we read these fewest verses of what was going on in Jerusalem, and of how "multitudes from the cities round about Jerusalem" thronged that " mother of them all," to seek, not in vain, healing virtue, we seem to be removed by a world's diameter from the Jerusalem that was stricken to the heart and its very sky darkened by the Crucifixion. And we also seem removed by centuries from the time when certain lips (which could not open but to speak truth whether... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 5:12-42

The advancing tide. The gospel of God's grace in Jesus Christ crucified and risen again had issued from Jerusalem at the bidding of the Lord. Would it ever stop? would it ever cease to advance? would it ever meet with obstacles sufficiently strong to turn back its current and to arrest its progress? When the flowing tide is hurrying towards the shore, some particular wave is checked by an opposing rock, and is shivered into spray before it can reach the shore. But wait a little and the... read more

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