Acts 5:16

There came also a multitude [out] of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

{G1161} There came {G4905} also {G2532} a multitude {G4128} out of the cities {G4172} round about {G4038} unto {G1519} Jerusalem {G2419}, bringing {G5342} sick {G772} folks, and {G2532} them which were vexed {G3791} with {G5259} unclean {G169} spirits {G4151}: and they {G3748} were healed {G2323} every one {G537}.

Crowds also gathered from the towns around Yerushalayim, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits; and every one of them was healed.

Crowds also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those tormented by unclean spirits, and all of them were healed.

And there also came together the multitude from the cities round about Jerusalem, bringing sick folk, and them that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

Acts 5:16 KJV describes a period of intense divine activity and public recognition of the early apostles' ministry in Jerusalem. This verse highlights the widespread impact of the miraculous healings being performed, drawing people from various surrounding communities.

Context

Following the powerful demonstration of God's judgment on Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:11) and the subsequent fear that fell upon the church and onlookers, the apostles continued to perform "many signs and wonders among the people" (Acts 5:12). This particular verse, Acts 5:16, immediately follows the mention of people bringing the sick into the streets, hoping that Peter's shadow might fall on them for healing (Acts 5:15). The influx of people from "cities round about unto Jerusalem" underscores the growing reputation and undeniable power associated with the apostles, confirming their divine commission.

Key Themes

  • Divine Power and Healing: The central theme is the undeniable, widespread miraculous healing. God's power was not limited to a few isolated cases but was manifesting on a large scale, affecting "every one" who was brought. This demonstrated God's compassion and ability to intervene in human suffering.
  • Validation of Apostolic Ministry: The healings served as powerful evidence that the apostles were indeed sent by God and that their message about Jesus Christ was true. Such public displays authenticated their authority and message, leading to the rapid growth of the early church, as seen in Acts 2:47.
  • Victory Over Spiritual Oppression: The mention of those "vexed with unclean spirits" highlights the spiritual dimension of the apostles' ministry. These were not merely physical ailments but instances of demonic influence, showing Christ's authority, now extended through His apostles, over the forces of darkness. This echoes Christ's own ministry of casting out demons, as seen in Mark 1:27.
  • Expanding Influence: The fact that people came from "cities round about" indicates that the fame of these miracles was spreading beyond Jerusalem, drawing seekers from a wider geographical area. This foreshadows the broader mission to "the uttermost part of the earth" mentioned in Acts 1:8.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "vexed with unclean spirits" translates the Greek ochloumenoi pneumata akatharta. Ochloumenoi means "to be troubled, harassed, oppressed," indicating a severe and persistent form of suffering. Pneumata akatharta literally means "unclean spirits," clearly referring to demonic entities. This distinction emphasizes that the apostles' power extended beyond physical ailments to direct confrontation with and victory over spiritual forces of evil.

Practical Application and Reflection

Acts 5:16 serves as a powerful reminder of God's desire to bring healing and deliverance. While the specific manifestations of miracles may vary, the underlying principle of God's power working through His people remains. For believers today, this verse encourages faith in God's ability to intervene in difficult situations, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. It also challenges the church to be a place where God's compassion is evident, and His power is sought for those who are suffering and oppressed. The early church's focus on meeting deep human needs, both physical and spiritual, is a timeless model for ministry.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Mark 16:17

    And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

  • Mark 16:18

    They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

  • Mark 2:3

    And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.

  • Mark 2:4

    And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken [it] up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.

  • Matthew 8:16

    When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with [his] word, and healed all that were sick:

  • Matthew 4:24

    And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.

  • Mark 6:54

    And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him,

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