Acts 4:5

"But many of those who heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to be about five thousand."

Key Reflection

In Acts 4:5, the audience hears that after Peter and John's miraculous healing at the gate of the temple, many people believed their message about Jesus. The number of these believers grew to approximately five thousand men, a significant crowd in first-century Jerusalem. This rapid growth underscores the immediate impact of the early Christian preaching and the transformation it brought, demonstrating how quickly faith could spread among the Jewish population despite opposition from religious leaders.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verses 5, 6. Their rulers. The rulers of the Jews; doubtless the members of the sanhedrim, or great council of the nation. Comp. Ac 4:15. See Barnes "Mt 2:4; 5:22". The expression their rulers, looks as if this book was written for the Gentiles, or Luke would have said our rulers. Elders. Presbyters; or those who were chosen from among the people to sit in the sanhedrim. It is probable that the rulers were those who held also some other office, but were also authorized to sit in the great council. Scribes. See Barnes "Mt 2:4". And Annas, etc. See Barnes "Joh 18:13". It is by no means certain that Annas was at that time the high priest, but he had been, and doubtless retained the title.

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