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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Act_5:12-16
12At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon's portico. 13But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, the people held them in high esteem. 14And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number, 15to such an extent that they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and pallets, so that when Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on any one of them. 16Also the people from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together, bringing people who were sick or afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all being healed.
Act_5:12-16 This is a brief summary, which is so characteristic of the book of Acts (cf. Act_2:43-47; Act_4:32-35).
Act_5:12 "many signs and wonders" This is an Imperfect passive (deponent) indicative. These two terms appear in Peter's quote from Joel 2 in Act_2:19. Miracles were repeatedly performed (cf. Act_2:43; Act_4:30; Act_5:12; Act_6:8; Act_7:36; Act_14:3; Act_15:20). Remember that the miraculous is not automatically a sign of deity (cf. Mat_24:24; and 2Th_2:9), but it was and is a way to confirm the Christian message, which was so radically different from the focus and emphasis of Judaism.
▣ "they were all in one accord" See note at Act_1:14. It is important to Luke to emphasize this again and again. It was an ideal that did not last long!
▣ "in Solomon's portico" This was an open colonnade within the Temple area along the eastern wall of the Court of the Gentiles. Jesus often taught there also (cf. Joh_10:23). This was the site of Peter and John's first arrest.
Act_5:13
NASB "none of the rest dared to associate with them"
NKJV, NRSV "none of the rest dared join them"
TEV "Nobody outside the group dared join them"
NJB "No one else dared to join them"
This is an unusual phrase. It seems to describe the negative side of "fear." There are several groups designated in this context (cf. Act_5:12-16). For most, the events were a draw to faith in Christ (cf. #5 and possibly #6 and #7) or a confirmation of faith in Christ (i.e., #3).
1. the Apostles, Act_5:12
2. the people, Act_5:12-13
3. the believers (i.e., in one accord in Solomon's portico), Act_5:12
4. the rest (i.e., the Jewish leadership), Act_5:13
5. new believers, Act_5:14
6. the sick of Jerusalem, Act_5:15
7. the sick and possessed from the surrounding villages, Act_5:16
The present middle infinitive "to associate" is literally "to glue." Luke uses this term often, but in a wide variety of senses. Here it refers to their not becoming part of the new group (i.e., believers in Jesus as the promised Messiah).
Act_5:14 "believers" This is a present active participle, which implies an ongoing action. See Special Topics at Act_2:40; Act_3:16.
NASB, TEV,
NJB, NIV"in the Lord"
NKJV, NRSV "to the Lord"
This grammatical form (i.e., eight case system) can be understood as dative ("to") or locative ("in"). I think it is a way to show that believers belong to the Lord. We are His possession, and He is ours!
▣ "women" Luke especially highlights "women," both in the Gospel and Acts (i.e., Act_1:14; Act_8:12; Act_16:1; Act_16:13; Act_17:4; Act_17:12; Act_17:34; Act_18:2; Act_21:5). Jesus brings a new sense of dignity and worth to women and children.
▣ "were constantly added to their number" Luke often used summary statements of the growth of the church (cf. Act_2:47; Act_5:14; Act_6:7; Act_9:31; Act_12:24; Act_16:5; Act_19:20).
Act_5:15 "when Peter came by at least his shadow" Miracles at this stage were common as a way of confirming the gospel. Peter was the obvious spokesman for the Apostles. This same type of confirming, healing also occurred through Paul (cf. Act_19:12).
As interpreters we must remember that these miracle signs were given to
1. show the compassion of God
2. show the truth of the gospel
3. show who were the God-called leaders
These signs were given in a particular culture, for a specific purpose. Because God did it there, it does not automatically mean that He will do the same in every period of history in every culture. Not that God is not active in every age nor less compassionate, but that the people of God must walk by faith and not by sight! Miracles continue, but salvation of sinners must be the greatest goal, not physical healing for those who will still die!
It seems to me that God has not changed. His character, power, compassion, and desire for all to be saved remains the same, but looking at history theologically, there are two major periods of intense, supernatural signs, both from God and from Satan.
1. surrounding the time of the incarnation and development of the early church
2. preceding the end-time events when believers will be under terrible persecution
I would like to quote A. T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament, vol. III, p. 62
"There was, of course, no virtue or power in Peter's shadow. That was faith with superstition, of course, just as similar cases in the Gospels occur (Mat_9:20; Mar_6:56; Joh_9:5) and the use of Paul's handkerchief (Act_19:12). God honours even superstitious faith if it is real faith in him. Few people are wholly devoid of superstition."
Act_5:16 "they were all being healed" This is an imperfect passive indicative, which asserts each one was healed (the agent is unexpressed, but probably the Spirit) one at a time, over and over and over, until none were left!
This is a summary type statement. Are we to take it literally (i.e., every single one)? Jesus required faith or used the healing to (1) train the disciples or (2) cause the crowds to listen.
It is shocking to me that not all those healed in the NT were simultaneously "saved" (i.e., trust Christ and have eternal life). Physical healing is a poor substitute for spiritual salvation. Miracles are only truly helpful if they bring us to God. All humans live in a fallen world. Bad things happen. God often chooses not to intervene, but this says nothing about His love and concern. Be careful of demanding that God act miraculously every time in this current evil age. He is sovereign and we do not know the full implications of any given situation.
At this point I would like to add my commentary notes from 2Ti_4:20 about Paul and physical healing (see hyperlink ) :
"There are so many questions we would like to ask the NT writers. One subject all believers think about is physical healing. In Acts (cf. Act_19:12; Act_28:7-9) Paul is able to heal, but here and in 2Co_12:7-10 and Php_2:25-30, he seems unable. Why are some healed and not all, and is there a time window connected to healing which has closed?
I surely believe in a supernatural, compassionate Father who has and does heal physically as well as spiritually, but why is this healing aspect seemingly present and then noticeably absent? I do not think that it is connected to human faith, for surely Paul had faith (cf. 2 Corinthians 12). I feel that healing and believing miracles affirmed the truthfulness and validity of the gospel, which it still does in areas of the world where it is first proclaimed. However, I feel that God wants us to walk by faith and not by sight. Also, physical illness is often allowed in believer's lives (1) as temporal punishment for sin; (2) as consequences of life in a fallen world; and (3) to help believers mature spiritually. My problem is that I never know which one is involved! My prayer for God's will to be done in each case is not a lack of faith but a sincere attempt to allow the gracious, compassionate God to work His will in each life."
▣ "unclean spirits" See Special Topics below.
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