What is the meaning of Acts 5:13? Although the people • “The people” refers to the wider crowd in Jerusalem—onlookers in the temple courts (Acts 3:11) rather than the apostles or the church. • They had witnessed dramatic signs: a lame man walking (Acts 3:9-10) and the sudden deaths of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:5-11). • Their response echoes earlier scenes where “all the people were glorifying God for what had happened” (Acts 4:21). Awe had spread beyond the fellowship itself. Regarded them highly • Respect arose from unmistakable evidence of God’s power: “With great power the apostles continued to give their testimony… and abundant grace was upon them all” (Acts 4:33). • The apostles’ integrity—living what they preached (Acts 2:46-47)—contrasted with religious leaders who feared losing status (Mark 11:18). • God’s evident presence produced admiration similar to the church’s earlier “favor with all the people” (Acts 2:47). No one else dared • The recent divine judgment created holy fear: “Great fear came upon the whole church and all who heard these things” (Acts 5:11). • This fear kept casual observers at arm’s length. Like Peter’s reaction to Jesus’ power—“Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord” (Luke 5:8)—people sensed God’s holiness and their own unworthiness. • Opposition from religious authorities also raised the cost of open association (Acts 4:17-18), discouraging half-hearted joiners. To join them • “Join” points to formally identifying with the apostolic band meeting in Solomon’s Colonnade (Acts 5:12). • God was purifying the community; only genuine converts would be added. Immediately after v.13 we read, “Yet more and more believers were brought to the Lord—large numbers of both men and women” (Acts 5:14). • The two verses together show that while spectators held back, the Spirit still drew true believers—just as earlier “Those who accepted his message were baptized” (Acts 2:41). • Superficial interest fell away (compare John 6:66; 1 John 2:19), but sincere faith stepped forward. summary Acts 5:13 captures a moment when public awe, apostolic credibility, and holy fear combined. Outsiders respected the apostles but hesitated to affiliate casually, sobered by God’s evident holiness. The verse highlights a purified, respected, and Spirit-led church—one that discouraged mere spectators yet welcomed every heart the Lord truly called. |
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