Acts 5:12

KJV

¶ And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} by {G1223} the hands {G5495} of the apostles {G652} were {G1096} many {G4183} signs {G4592} and {G2532} wonders {G5059} wrought {G1096}{G1096} among {G1722} the people {G2992};(and {G2532} they were {G2258} all {G537} with one accord {G3661} in {G1722} Solomon's {G4672} porch {G4745}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Meanwhile, through the emissaries many signs and miracles continued to be done among the people. United in mind and purpose, the believers met in Shlomo’s Colonnade;

Berean Standard Bible

The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people, and with one accord the believers gathered together in Solomon’s Colonnade.

American Standard Version

And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people: and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 5:12 offers a profound snapshot of the early apostolic ministry, powerfully illustrating the divine authentication of their message through numerous miraculous signs and wonders, alongside the remarkable unity and public presence of the nascent Christian community. This verse encapsulates the dynamic growth and spiritual vitality of the early church, highlighting both God's active power among His people and their collective commitment to His purposes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the sobering account of Ananias and Sapphira in [Acts 5:1-11](/acts/5-1-11 "Acts 5:1-11 - The Judgment of Ananias and Sapphira"), where their deceit led to divine judgment and instilled a profound fear throughout the church and among those who heard about it. Far from hindering the church's growth, this severe purification appears to have solidified the community's integrity and the apostles' authority. Acts 5:12 then serves as a narrative bridge, transitioning from this internal cleansing to a renewed emphasis on the external manifestation of God's power and the continued expansion of the gospel. It sets the stage for the subsequent increase in the number of believers and the escalating opposition from the Jewish authorities, as detailed in [Acts 5:13-42](/acts/5-13-42 "Acts 5:13-42 - Continued Apostolic Ministry and Persecution").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Jerusalem, specifically "Solomon's porch," a large, covered colonnade on the eastern side of the Temple courts. This was a well-known public gathering place, frequented by Jews for discussion, teaching, and commerce. Its prominence made it an ideal, albeit bold, location for the early Christians to assemble publicly. For the apostles to perform "signs and wonders" here meant their actions were highly visible, attracting both curious onlookers and religious authorities. The Jewish people of this era were deeply steeped in a worldview that expected divine intervention and miraculous displays as authentication for prophetic claims, making these "signs and wonders" a powerful, culturally resonant testimony to the truth of the apostles' message about Jesus.
* **Key Themes:** Acts 5:12 powerfully articulates several core themes prevalent throughout the book of Acts. Firstly, it underscores the **Apostolic Authority and Divine Empowerment**, demonstrating that the apostles were not merely human teachers but instruments through whom God Himself was working to confirm the resurrection of Jesus and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This theme is foundational, as seen in earlier accounts like the healing at the Beautiful Gate in [Acts 3](/acts/3 "Acts 3 - Peter Heals a Lame Man"). Secondly, the verse highlights the **Unity and Community** of the early believers, emphasizing their "one accord" (Greek: _homothymadón_), a recurring motif in Acts that speaks to their shared purpose, spirit, and fellowship, crucial for their resilience and witness (e.g., [Acts 2:44-47](/acts/2-44-47 "Acts 2:44-47 - The Fellowship of the Believers")). Lastly, it emphasizes the **Public Witness and Bold Proclamation** of the gospel, as the believers gathered openly in a significant public space, showcasing their faith and the power of God before all who would observe, echoing the public preaching from [Acts 2](/acts/2 "Acts 2 - The Day of Pentecost").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **signs (Greek, _sēmeîon'_):** This term refers to an indication or a token, especially one that is ceremonially or supernaturally significant. In the New Testament, "signs" often point beyond themselves to a deeper spiritual reality or truth, serving to authenticate the divine origin of a message or messenger. Here, the miracles performed by the apostles were not merely spectacles but divine attestations to the truth of the gospel and the authority given to them by God.
* **wonders (Greek, _téras'_):** This word denotes a prodigy or an omen, something that causes astonishment or awe due to its extraordinary nature. Paired with "signs," "wonders" emphasizes the effect these miraculous acts had on observers—they evoked amazement and drew attention. While "signs" point to meaning, "wonders" highlight the impact and awe-inspiring nature of the event itself. Together, "signs and wonders" form a common biblical phrase (e.g., [Deuteronomy 6:22](/deuteronomy/6-22 "Deuteronomy 6:22 - Signs and Wonders in Egypt")) signifying divine power and intervention.
* **with one accord (Greek, _homothymadón'_):** An adverb meaning "unanimously" or "with one mind." This compound word signifies a deep spiritual and emotional unity, not just physical proximity or superficial agreement. It indicates a collective harmony of purpose, will, and passion among the believers, enabling them to act as a single, cohesive body. This unity was a hallmark of the early church in Acts, often associated with prayer and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people":** This clause highlights the divine authentication of the apostles' ministry. The phrase "by the hands of the apostles" indicates that they were the instruments through whom God's power was manifested, not the source of the power itself. The "many signs and wonders" refer to numerous miraculous acts (healings, exorcisms, etc.) that served as undeniable proofs of God's presence and approval of their message. These acts were performed "among the people," signifying their public nature and their impact on the broader community, drawing attention to the burgeoning Christian movement.
* **"(and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.":** This parenthetical clause reveals the remarkable unity and public gathering of the early believers. "They were all with one accord" emphasizes a profound spiritual and relational unity among the entire community of believers, not just the apostles. This deep agreement and shared purpose allowed them to gather together publicly "in Solomon's porch," a prominent and well-known colonnade within the Temple complex in Jerusalem. Their presence in such a public and religiously significant location underscores their boldness, visibility, and continued engagement with the Jewish populace, even amidst growing opposition.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Synecdoche** is present in "by the hands of the apostles," where "hands" stand for the apostles themselves as agents of God's power, emphasizing their instrumental role. The phrase "signs and wonders" is a classic **hendiadys**, using two nouns connected by "and" to express a single, intensified concept: divinely authenticated, awe-inspiring miracles. This pairing underscores both the evidential (signs) and the impactful (wonders) nature of the apostolic works. Furthermore, the description of the believers being "with one accord" highlights **unity** as a central theme, portraying the early church not as a disparate group but as a cohesive, harmonious body, which itself served as a powerful testimony. The mention of "Solomon's porch" provides a specific **setting** that grounds the miraculous events in a real, public space, enhancing the credibility and historical tangibility of the narrative.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 5:12 serves as a powerful theological statement about God's active involvement in establishing His church. It demonstrates that the early Christian movement was not merely a human endeavor but a divine work, authenticated by supernatural power and sustained by supernatural unity. The "signs and wonders" were not ends in themselves but served as divine credentials for the apostles' message, confirming the resurrection of Jesus and the truth of the gospel. This divine authentication, coupled with the profound unity of the believers, created a compelling witness that drew many to faith, highlighting the essential interplay between divine power and communal harmony in the advancement of God's kingdom.

* [Acts 2:43](/acts/2-43 "Acts 2:43 - Signs and Wonders in the Early Church")
* [Hebrews 2:4](/hebrews/2-4 "Hebrews 2:4 - God Bearing Witness with Signs and Wonders")
* [Philippians 2:2](/ philippians/2-2 "Philippians 2:2 - Be of the Same Mind")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 5:12 offers profound insights for contemporary believers, reminding us that the church, at its core, is a community empowered by God and called to a unified witness. The "signs and wonders" of the early church underscore God's desire to work powerfully through His people, not just for their benefit but for the sake of the world. While the specific manifestations of God's power may vary across times and cultures, the principle remains: God is active, and He desires to confirm His Word and presence among His people. Moreover, the emphasis on "one accord" is a timeless call to unity. Divisions within the church hinder its effectiveness, diminish its witness, and grieve the Holy Spirit. When believers set aside personal agendas and strive for genuine unity in Christ, they become a powerful, attractive force that testifies to the reconciling power of the gospel. This verse challenges us to seek both a deeper experience of God's power and a more profound commitment to communal unity, enabling us to be a more effective and compelling witness in our own generation, just as the early church was in theirs.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I see God working powerfully in my life or in my church today, even if not through dramatic "signs and wonders"?**
* **How does the unity of believers impact the effectiveness of our witness to the world, and what steps can I take to foster greater "one accord" in my own community?**
* **Am I willing to boldly gather and proclaim the gospel in public spaces, or in my sphere of influence, even when it might lead to opposition or scrutiny?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of "Solomon's porch" in this verse?**

Answer: "Solomon's porch" was a prominent, covered colonnade on the eastern side of the Temple courts in Jerusalem. Its significance lies in its public nature and its association with Jewish religious life. By gathering there, the apostles and early believers were not hiding their faith but boldly engaging with the broader Jewish community in a well-known, high-traffic area. This public presence allowed them to teach, perform miracles, and bear witness to Jesus' resurrection openly, attracting attention and demonstrating their confidence in their message, even in the very heart of the religious establishment that opposed them. It was a strategic location for public ministry and a symbol of their continued connection to Jewish heritage while proclaiming a new covenant.

**How do "signs and wonders" function in the Book of Acts?**

Answer: In the Book of Acts, "signs and wonders" (Greek: _semeia kai terata_) primarily serve as divine authentication for the message of the gospel and the ministry of the apostles. They are not merely spectacles but powerful demonstrations of God's presence and power, confirming that the apostles were indeed God's chosen messengers and that their message about Jesus Christ was true. These miraculous acts, such as healings and exorcisms, drew attention, led to conviction, and often resulted in conversions, as seen after Peter's sermon in [Acts 2](/acts/2 "Acts 2 - The Day of Pentecost") and throughout the apostles' ministry. They validated the claims of the resurrection and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, providing tangible evidence of God's active work in the world.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 5:12, with its emphasis on divine power and communal unity, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "signs and wonders" wrought by the apostles were a continuation of the miraculous ministry of Jesus Himself, who performed countless miracles to authenticate His divine identity and messianic claims, as recorded throughout the Gospels (e.g., [John 3:2](/john/3-2 "John 3:2 - Nicodemus's Recognition of Jesus' Miracles") and [Acts 2:22](/acts/2-22 "Acts 2:22 - Jesus, a Man Attested by God")). He was the ultimate "sign" of God's kingdom breaking into the world. Furthermore, the "one accord" of the early church reflects the unity that Jesus prayed for among His disciples in [John 17:20-23](/john/17-20-23 "John 17:20-23 - Jesus' Prayer for Unity"), a unity that mirrors the perfect fellowship within the Trinity. This unity, empowered by the Holy Spirit whom Christ promised to send ([John 14:26](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - The Promise of the Holy Spirit")), enables the church to continue Christ's mission on earth, bearing witness to His resurrection and the transformative power of the gospel. Thus, the apostolic ministry described in Acts 5:12 is a direct outflow of Christ's finished work, His ongoing presence through the Spirit, and His ultimate purpose to gather a unified people for Himself.

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 19:11

And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:

2 Corinthians 12:12

Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

Hebrews 2:4

God also bearing [them] witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

Acts 14:3

Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

Acts 3:11

And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering.

Romans 15:19

Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

John 10:23

And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch.