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Acts 5:13

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And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.

And {G1161} of the rest {G3062} durst {G5111} no man {G3762} join himself {G2853} to them {G846}: but {G235} the people {G2992} magnified {G3170} them {G846}.

and no one else dared to join them. Nevertheless, the people continued to regard them highly;

Although the people regarded them highly, no one else dared to join them.

But of the rest durst no man join himself to them: howbeit the people magnified them;

Commentary

Commentary on Acts 5:13 (KJV)

Acts 5:13 provides a concise summary of the public's reaction to the early Christian community in Jerusalem, particularly after the dramatic events involving Ananias and Sapphira, and the apostles' continued miraculous work.

Context

This verse immediately follows the account of Ananias and Sapphira's deaths (Acts 5:1-11), which instilled "great fear upon all the church, and upon all that heard these things." It also comes after the apostles, gathered in Solomon's Porch, were performing "many signs and wonders among the people" (Acts 5:12). These two contrasting yet related events—divine judgment within the church and divine power demonstrated through the apostles—shaped the public's perception and interaction with the nascent Christian movement.

Key Themes

  • Divine Awe and Separation: The phrase "durst no man join himself to them" signifies a profound sense of awe, even fear, that prevented casual or insincere association with the apostles and the core group of believers. The immediate and severe judgment on Ananias and Sapphira served as a powerful deterrent against hypocrisy and superficial commitment, ensuring the purity and integrity of the early church. This fear was not merely terror but a holy reverence for the God who was clearly at work among them.
  • Public Respect and Magnification: Despite the fear that kept some at a distance, "the people magnified them." This indicates that the general populace held the apostles and the genuine believers in high esteem. They recognized the authentic power and divine presence, attributing greatness and honor to them, not necessarily by joining their ranks but by acknowledging their unique spiritual authority and the undeniable miracles. This public respect contributed to the church's growing influence.
  • Authenticity and Purity: The verse highlights God's commitment to maintaining the holiness of His church. The separation of those who would "durst not join" ensured that those who did become part of the community were truly committed and not merely seeking social or personal gain. This divine sifting process established a foundation of genuine faith.

Linguistic Insights

  • The KJV phrase "durst no man join himself to them" emphasizes a strong inhibition or reluctance. The Greek word behind "durst" (tolmao) implies having the courage or boldness to do something. Its negation here means no one had the audacity or courage to associate themselves with the apostles in a superficial or deceptive way, likely out of fear of divine judgment.
  • "Magnified them" (Greek: megaluno) means to make great, to extol, to praise, or to glorify. It conveys that the people held the apostles in high regard, recognizing the extraordinary power and presence of God working through them. They acknowledged their divine backing and authority.

Practical Application

Acts 5:13 offers timeless lessons for believers and the church today:

  • Genuine Commitment: It reminds us that true faith involves sincere commitment, not just outward association. God desires a church that is pure and authentic, where hypocrisy is not tolerated.
  • Holy Fear and Respect: The fear instilled in the community was not a crippling terror, but a holy reverence for God's power and holiness. This "fear of the Lord" is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10) and leads to living righteously.
  • Impact of God's Presence: When God's power and holiness are evident in a community of believers, it creates a distinct impression on outsiders. While some may be wary of joining without true conviction, others will "magnify" or respect the genuine work of God.
  • The Church's Distinctiveness: This verse underscores that the church is meant to be set apart from the world, not conforming to its standards. Its purity and the manifest presence of God should naturally create a boundary that challenges superficial engagement and invites genuine transformation.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Acts 2:47 (5 votes)

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

  • Acts 4:21 (4 votes)

    So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all [men] glorified God for that which was done.

  • Acts 19:17 (3 votes)

    And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

  • John 9:22 (2 votes)

    These [words] spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.

  • Luke 19:37 (2 votes)

    And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;

  • Luke 19:38 (2 votes)

    Saying, Blessed [be] the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.

  • Luke 12:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.