Acts 4:4

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Howbeit {G1161} many {G4183} of them which heard {G191} the word {G3056} believed {G4100}; and {G2532} the number {G706} of the men {G435} was {G1096} about {G5616} five {G4002} thousand {G5505}.

Complete Jewish Bible

However, many of those who heard the message trusted; the number of men alone was about five thousand.

Berean Standard Bible

But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand.

American Standard Version

But many of them that heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 4:4 marks a significant milestone in the early church's expansion, revealing that despite the apostles' arrest and the escalating opposition from religious authorities, the preached "word" continued to bear fruit, leading to a dramatic increase in the number of believers in Jerusalem, with the male members alone reaching approximately five thousand. This verse powerfully illustrates God's sovereignty and the unstoppable nature of the Gospel message even in the face of adversity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 4:4 is nestled within a narrative of escalating tension and divine empowerment. Immediately preceding it, Peter and John, having miraculously healed a lame man at the Beautiful Gate ([Acts 3:1-10](/acts/3-1-10 "Acts 3:1-10 - Healing of the Lame Man")), seized the opportunity to preach the resurrection of Jesus to the astonished crowd ([Acts 3:11-26](/acts/3-11-26 "Acts 3:11-26 - Peter's Second Sermon")). This bold proclamation, particularly the assertion of Jesus' resurrection, deeply disturbed the Sadducees, who denied the resurrection, leading to the arrest of Peter and John by the temple authorities ([Acts 4:1-3](/acts/4-1-3 "Acts 4:1-3 - Arrest of Peter and John")). Acts 4:4 serves as a powerful counterpoint to this opposition, demonstrating that even as human authorities sought to suppress the message, God's work continued to advance, highlighting the divine power at play that transcends human resistance.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Acts 4 unfold in Jerusalem, the heart of Jewish religious and political life, during a period of Roman occupation. The temple was the center of Jewish worship and authority, overseen by the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish judicial and religious council. The Sadducees, a powerful aristocratic priestly sect, held significant sway in the temple and were particularly offended by the apostles' teaching on the resurrection, as it challenged their theological tenets. The mention of "men" (Gk. *andres*) is significant in a patriarchal society where men were typically counted for official purposes, implying the total number of believers, including women and children, would have been considerably higher. The rapid growth of this new movement would have been viewed with suspicion and alarm by the established religious order, who saw it as a potential threat to their authority and the delicate balance of power under Roman rule.

* **Key Themes:** Acts 4:4 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Acts. Firstly, it underscores the **Power of the Gospel Message**, demonstrating that the "word" (Gk. *logos*) of Christ's resurrection is inherently dynamic and effective, capable of transforming lives and multiplying believers despite external pressures. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Sovereignty Amidst Opposition**, showing that God's plan for the church's growth is unstoppable, even when faced with persecution from powerful religious and political entities, as seen throughout the early chapters of Acts, such as the apostles' continued boldness after their release in [Acts 4:23-31](/acts/4-23-31 "Acts 4:23-31 - The Believers Pray for Boldness"). Thirdly, the verse exemplifies the theme of **Rapid Church Growth**, a recurring motif in Acts, building on the initial surge of believers on the Day of Pentecost ([Acts 2:41](/acts/2-41 "Acts 2:41 - Three Thousand Added on Pentecost")) and foreshadowing future expansions as the Gospel spreads from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - The Great Commission")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Howbeit (Greek, _dé'_):** This primary particle serves as an adversative or continuative conjunction, meaning "but," "and," or "nevertheless." In this context, "howbeit" strongly emphasizes the contrast between the apostles' arrest and the continued, indeed accelerated, growth of the church. It signals that despite the opposition and attempts to suppress the message, God's work was not hindered but rather advanced. It highlights divine sovereignty over human resistance.
* **heard (Greek, _akoúō'_):** A primary verb meaning "to hear" in various senses, including to give audience, come to the ears, or understand. Here, it signifies not merely auditory perception but an attentive reception of the message of the Gospel. It implies an openness to the truth being proclaimed, which is a prerequisite for belief. This hearing is active and leads to a response.
* **word (Greek, _lógos'_):** From *legō* (to speak), *logos* refers to something said, a topic, reasoning, or by implication, the Divine Expression (Christ). In this context, "the word" refers to the comprehensive message of the Gospel preached by Peter and John—the good news about Jesus Christ, His life, death, resurrection, and the call to repentance and faith. It is the powerful, living message of God that convicts and transforms.
* **believed (Greek, _pisteúō'_):** From *pistis* (faith), this verb means to have faith in, upon, or with respect to a person or thing; to credit; or to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ). It denotes a decisive act of trusting reliance and commitment, not mere intellectual assent. This belief is the transformative response to hearing the "word," leading to salvation and incorporation into the community of faith.
* **was (Greek, _gínomai'_):** A primary verb meaning "to cause to be," "to become," or "to come into being." In this verse, it indicates the dynamic process by which the number of believers came to be approximately five thousand. It's not a static count but a description of a growing, living community. This verb emphasizes the active, ongoing nature of God's work in adding to the church.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed":** This clause highlights the immediate and powerful effect of the Gospel message. Despite the apostles being arrested and facing persecution, a significant number of people who heard their proclamation of Jesus' resurrection and call to repentance responded with active faith. The "howbeit" (Gk. *dé*) emphasizes the contrast between the external opposition and the internal spiritual breakthrough occurring in the hearts of the hearers. It underscores the divine power of the "word" (Gk. *logos*) to overcome human resistance.
* **"and the number of the men was about five thousand":** This second clause provides a concrete, astonishing statistic of the church's growth. The "number of the men" (Gk. *arithmos tōn andrōn*) specifically refers to adult males, implying that the total number of believers, including women and children, would have been substantially higher. This rapid numerical increase, following the three thousand added on Pentecost ([Acts 2:41](/acts/2-41 "Acts 2:41 - Three Thousand Added on Pentecost")), demonstrates the explosive expansion of the early Christian community in Jerusalem and serves as a powerful testament to the Holy Spirit's work and the compelling nature of the Gospel.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 4:4 employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. **Contrast** is prominent, with the "Howbeit" (Gk. *dé*) setting up a direct opposition between the hostile actions of the authorities (arrest, disturbance) and the spiritual fruit (many believed, rapid growth). This highlights the divine sovereignty that transcends human opposition. **Hyperbole** or **Synecdoche** might be considered in the "five thousand" figure; while likely a literal count of men, it stands for an even larger, growing community, emphasizing the immense scale of God's work. The "word" functions as a powerful **Metonymy** for the entire Gospel message and the divine truth it embodies, showing its inherent power to transform. The concise statement itself serves as a **Narrative Marker**, signaling a significant leap in the church's development and setting the stage for continued conflict and growth in the subsequent narrative.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 4:4 profoundly illustrates the unstoppable nature of God's redemptive plan and the inherent power of the Gospel message. It underscores that the church's growth is fundamentally a divine work, not merely a human endeavor. Even when faced with severe opposition from powerful religious and political establishments, the "word" of God proves effective, drawing people to faith. This demonstrates God's sovereignty over all human efforts to thwart His purposes, affirming that His kingdom will advance regardless of earthly resistance. The growth is not merely numerical but spiritual, rooted in genuine belief that transforms lives and builds the community of faith, serving as a powerful testimony to the truth of the resurrection and the presence of the Holy Spirit.

* [Acts 2:47](/acts/2-47 "Acts 2:47 - The Lord Added to Their Number Daily")
* [Acts 5:14](/acts/5-14 "Acts 5:14 - More Believers Added to the Lord")
* [1 Corinthians 3:6-7](/1_corinthians/3-6-7 "1 Corinthians 3:6-7 - God Gives the Growth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 4:4 offers profound encouragement and challenge for believers today. It reminds us that the effectiveness of sharing the Gospel does not depend on favorable circumstances or the absence of opposition, but on the inherent power of God's "word" and the sovereign work of the Holy Spirit. When we proclaim Christ, we are not merely sharing information but participating in a divine act that has the power to transform hearts and lives, even amidst hostility. This verse calls us to boldness in evangelism, trusting that God will bring forth fruit, and to perseverance in faith, knowing that persecution can paradoxically fuel growth and purify the church. It compels us to prioritize the clear and faithful proclamation of the Gospel, understanding that it is God who gives the increase, building His church one believing heart at a time.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the growth of the early church in the face of opposition challenge my understanding of evangelism and church growth today?**
* **What "word" am I hearing and believing in my own life, and how is it transforming me?**
* **In what areas of my life or ministry do I need to trust more in God's sovereign power to work despite difficulties, rather than relying on my own efforts or ideal circumstances?**

### FAQ

**Why does the verse specify "men" when referring to the number of believers?**

Answer: In ancient Jewish and Roman cultures, official counts or census figures often enumerated adult males, as they were typically the heads of households and held primary civic and religious responsibilities. Therefore, "about five thousand" refers specifically to the number of men who believed. This practice does not exclude women and children from being part of the believing community; rather, it implies that the total number of disciples, including women and children, would have been significantly larger than five thousand. The focus on men indicates the substantial and visible growth of the male leadership and membership within the nascent church, which would have been particularly noteworthy to the authorities.

**How could the church grow so rapidly in such a short time, especially with opposition?**

Answer: The rapid growth of the early church, as seen in [Acts 2:41](/acts/2-41 "Acts 2:41 - Three Thousand Added on Pentecost") and here in [Acts 4:4](/acts/4-4 "Acts 4:4 - Five Thousand Believed"), is attributed primarily to the powerful work of the Holy Spirit. The apostles, filled with the Spirit, preached with boldness and clarity, often accompanied by miraculous signs and wonders (like the healing in [Acts 3:6-8](/acts/3-6-8 "Acts 3:6-8 - Healing of the Lame Man")). The message of Jesus' resurrection resonated deeply with many, and the visible transformation of believers, characterized by unity, generosity, and joy ([Acts 2:42-47](/acts/2-42-47 "Acts 2:42-47 - The Fellowship of the Believers")), served as a compelling witness. Furthermore, the very opposition faced by the apostles, far from stifling the movement, often drew more attention to their message, leading more people to inquire and believe, demonstrating God's ability to use even adversity for His purposes.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 4:4 finds its ultimate fulfillment in the ongoing mission of Jesus Christ to build His church, which He promised even the gates of hell would not prevail against ([Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - Jesus Builds His Church")). The "word" that was heard and believed is the Gospel, the good news of Christ's atoning death and glorious resurrection, which is the very power of God for salvation to everyone who believes ([Romans 1:16](/romans/1-16 "Romans 1:16 - The Power of the Gospel")). The growth of the church, even amidst persecution, is a direct testament to the living Lordship of Jesus, who ascended to heaven and poured out His Holy Spirit ([Acts 2:33](/acts/2-33 "Acts 2:33 - Peter's Sermon on the Holy Spirit")), empowering His disciples to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - The Great Commission")). This verse foreshadows the global expansion of Christ's kingdom, demonstrating that His redemptive work is irresistible and will ultimately gather a multitude from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation ([Revelation 7:9](/revelation/7-9 "Revelation 7:9 - The Multitude from Every Nation")), fulfilling His divine purpose to reconcile all things to Himself ([Colossians 1:20](/colossians/1-20 "Colossians 1:20 - Reconciliation Through Christ")).

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 2:41

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

2 Timothy 2:9

Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, [even] unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

2 Timothy 2:10

Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

Philippians 1:12

¶ But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things [which happened] unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;

Philippians 1:18

What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

2 Corinthians 2:14

Now thanks [be] unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

2 Corinthians 2:17

For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.