Acts 2:41

KJV

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added [unto them] about three thousand souls.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G3303}{G3767} they that gladly {G780} received {G588} his {G846} word {G3056} were baptized {G907}: and {G2532} the same {G1565} day {G2250} there were added {G4369} unto them about {G5616} three thousand {G5153} souls {G5590}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So those who accepted what he said were immersed, and there were added to the group that day about three thousand people.

Berean Standard Bible

Those who embraced his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to the believers that day.

American Standard Version

They then that received his word were baptized: and there were added unto them in that day about three thousand souls.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 2:41 chronicles the immediate and profound impact of Peter's Pentecost sermon, detailing the conversion and baptism of approximately three thousand individuals. This pivotal moment marks the explosive growth of the early Christian church, demonstrating the Holy Spirit's power in convicting hearts, leading to genuine repentance and public identification with Christ through baptism, and rapidly expanding the community of believers in Jerusalem.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Peter's powerful and Spirit-anointed sermon on the Day of Pentecost, as recorded in [Acts 2:14-40](/acts/2-14-40 "Peter's Pentecost Sermon"). Peter's message, delivered after the dramatic outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the disciples' speaking in tongues ([Acts 2:1-13](/acts/2-1-13 "The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost")), convicted his Jewish audience of their complicity in the crucifixion of Jesus, whom God had raised and exalted. His call to repentance and baptism in [Acts 2:38](/acts/2-38 "Peter's Call to Repentance and Baptism") provides the direct antecedent for the response described in verse 41. The narrative then flows into a description of the early church's communal life, characterized by devotion, fellowship, and continued growth in [Acts 2:42-47](/acts/2-42-47 "Life in the Early Church").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Jerusalem during the Jewish festival of Pentecost (Shavuot), a time when devout Jews from across the Roman Empire gathered in the city ([Acts 2:5](/acts/2-5 "Devout Jews from Every Nation Gather in Jerusalem")). This diverse audience, many of whom were deeply religious and familiar with the Old Testament prophecies, were uniquely positioned to hear and understand Peter's message, which skillfully wove together prophecies from Joel ([Acts 2:17-21](/acts/2-17-21 "Prophecy of Joel Fulfilled")) and David ([Acts 2:25-31](/acts/2-25-31 "Prophecy of David Fulfilled")) with the recent events of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. Baptism, while having roots in Jewish ritual purification (mikvah) and John the Baptist's ministry, was here redefined as a public declaration of faith in Jesus Christ, signifying repentance, forgiveness of sins, and reception of the Holy Spirit. The rapid conversion of such a large number of people in a single day was unprecedented and speaks to the profound spiritual hunger and divine intervention at play.
* **Key Themes:** Acts 2:41 powerfully illustrates several key themes central to the book of Acts and the broader New Testament. It highlights the **transformative power of the Gospel message** when proclaimed by the Holy Spirit-empowered church, leading to immediate and decisive spiritual change. The verse also underscores the **centrality of repentance and baptism** as initial acts of obedience for new believers, signifying their identification with Christ's death and resurrection and their entry into the new covenant community. Furthermore, it vividly portrays the **divine initiative in church growth**, emphasizing that God is the one who "adds" to the number of believers, fulfilling Jesus' promise of building His church ([Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Jesus Promises to Build His Church")). This massive influx of new converts also sets the stage for the theme of **Christian community and fellowship**, which becomes a defining characteristic of the early church described in subsequent verses.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **received (Greek, _apodéchomai'_):** From G588, meaning "to take fully, i.e., welcome (persons), approve (things); to accept, receive gladly." This word emphasizes a willing, eager, and positive reception of Peter's "word" (G3056, _lógos_). It suggests a genuine embrace of the message, not a reluctant or forced compliance, indicating a heart prepared by God.
* **added (Greek, _prostíthēmi'_):** From G4369, meaning "to place additionally, i.e., lay beside, annex, repeat; to add, again, give more, increase, lay unto, proceed further, speak to any more." The passive voice ("there were added") is crucial here, highlighting that it was God who was doing the adding. This underscores the divine agency behind the church's growth, rather than merely human effort.
* **souls (Greek, _psychḗ'_):** From G5590, meaning "breath, i.e., (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from _pneuma_, which is the rational and immortal soul; and on the other from _zoē_, which is mere vitality, even of plants)." In this context, _psychḗ_ refers to the entire person, emphasizing that these were not just numbers, but individuals with lives, minds, and spirits who were transformed and brought into the community.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then they that gladly received his word":** This clause highlights the crucial element of human response to the divine message. The "glad reception" (from _asménōs_ G780, "with pleasure," and _apodéchomai_ G588, "to welcome") indicates a willing and eager acceptance of the Gospel preached by Peter. Their hearts, having been "pricked" ([Acts 2:37](/acts/2-37 "Hearts Pricked by Peter's Sermon")), were open to the truth about Jesus Christ and the call to repentance. This demonstrates that genuine conversion involves both divine conviction and a joyful human assent.
* **"were baptized":** This phrase describes the immediate and public act of obedience following their reception of the word. Baptism, in this context, was not merely a ritual but a profound symbol of their repentance, the washing away of their sins, and their identification with Jesus Christ. It served as a public declaration of their new faith and their entrance into the new covenant community. The passive voice indicates that they were the recipients of the action, being immersed by the apostles or other believers.
* **"and the same day there were added [unto them] about three thousand souls":** This final clause reveals the astonishing result of the Pentecost event. The phrase "the same day" (from G1565 _ekeînos_ and G2250 _hēméra_) emphasizes the immediacy and rapidity of this growth. The "adding" (G4369 _prostíthēmi_) is presented as a divine act, signifying God's active role in building His church. The number "about three thousand souls" (G5153 _trischílioi_ and G5590 _psychḗ_) represents a massive, unprecedented influx of new believers, laying the foundational numerical expansion of the Christian church and demonstrating the explosive power of the Holy Spirit.

#### Literary Devices
Luke, as the author of Acts, masterfully employs several literary devices in this verse. The use of **Narrative Progression** is evident, as this verse serves as the climactic outcome of Peter's sermon, moving the story forward from proclamation to profound response. The phrase "gladly received" functions as a form of **Emotive Language**, conveying the positive and eager disposition of the listeners. Furthermore, the number "about three thousand souls" acts as a powerful instance of **Hyperbole** (though likely a literal count, its magnitude creates a sense of awe and divine intervention) and **Quantification**, emphasizing the sheer scale of the Holy Spirit's work. The **Divine Passive** in "were added" is a subtle yet significant device, highlighting God's agency in the church's growth without explicitly naming Him as the subject, thereby reinforcing the theological truth that the church's expansion is fundamentally a work of God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 2:41 stands as a foundational text for understanding the early church's rapid expansion and the principles of conversion. It underscores that genuine faith involves both an internal reception of God's word and an external, public demonstration of that faith through baptism. This mass conversion was not merely a human achievement but a testament to the Holy Spirit's power in convicting hearts and drawing people to Christ, fulfilling God's redemptive plan to build His church. The immediate integration of these new believers into the existing community highlights the importance of fellowship and collective discipleship from the very inception of the church.

* [Mark 16:16](/mark/16-16 "The Necessity of Belief and Baptism")
* [1 Corinthians 12:13](/1_corinthians/12-13 "Baptism into One Body")
* [Colossians 2:12](/colossians/2-12 "Burial and Resurrection with Christ in Baptism")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 2:41 offers profound insights for believers today, reminding us of the enduring power of the Gospel and the importance of a heartfelt response. Just as the early listeners "gladly received" Peter's word, we are called to embrace God's truth with joy and eagerness, allowing it to transform our lives. The immediate act of baptism for these new converts serves as a powerful reminder of the significance of public commitment to Christ and identification with His death and resurrection. This verse also inspires us to participate in God's mission, trusting that He is the one who adds to His church, though He uses human instruments. It encourages us to faithfully proclaim the Gospel, knowing that the Holy Spirit is at work, preparing hearts and bringing about spiritual birth. Finally, the integration of three thousand new "souls" into the nascent community emphasizes that salvation is not a solitary journey but an invitation into the family of God, where fellowship, teaching, and mutual support are essential for growth and flourishing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How readily do I "gladly receive" God's word in my own life, allowing it to challenge and transform me?**
* **What is the significance of baptism in my understanding of Christian discipleship, and how does it reflect my identification with Christ?**
* **How does the rapid growth of the early church in Acts 2:41 encourage or challenge my perspective on evangelism and church growth today?**
* **In what ways am I actively participating in or contributing to the community of believers, recognizing that God "adds" individuals to a collective body?**

### FAQ
**What does "gladly received his word" imply about the nature of conversion?**

Answer: The phrase "gladly received his word" (Greek: _apodéchomai_ and _asménōs_) implies that genuine conversion is not a forced or reluctant decision but a willing, eager, and joyful acceptance of the Gospel message. It suggests that the Holy Spirit had prepared their hearts, leading to a deep conviction and a positive, unhesitating embrace of Peter's proclamation about Jesus Christ. This "glad reception" indicates a profound internal transformation that then manifests in outward obedience, such as baptism. It highlights that true faith is characterized by a welcoming posture toward God's truth, as seen in the response to Peter's sermon in [Acts 2:37-38](/acts/2-37-38 "The Conviction and Call to Repentance").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 2:41 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the ongoing realization of Jesus' mission to build His church. The "word" that was gladly received was the Gospel message centered on Christ's death, resurrection, and exaltation, as powerfully articulated by Peter. The baptism of these three thousand souls was a public identification with the crucified and risen Christ, symbolizing their participation in His new covenant. This explosive growth was a direct outpouring of the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus promised to send from the Father ([John 15:26](/john/15-26 "Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit")) and who empowers His witnesses to spread the good news to the ends of the earth ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Jesus' Promise of Power to Witnesses")). The "adding" of souls to the church is God's work, fulfilling Jesus' declaration that He would build His church and the gates of Hades would not prevail against it ([Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Jesus Promises to Build His Church")). Thus, Acts 2:41 is not merely a historical account of church growth, but a vibrant demonstration of the ascended Christ actively expanding His kingdom through the power of His Spirit and the proclamation of His saving message, drawing people into His body, the church ([Ephesians 1:22-23](/ephesians/1-22-23 "Christ as Head of the Church")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 4:4

Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

Acts 2:47

Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Acts 16:31

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

Acts 16:34

And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.

Acts 2:37

¶ Now when they heard [this], they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men [and] brethren, what shall we do?

John 14:12

¶ Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater [works] than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

Acts 13:48

And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.