Acts 5:16
What does Acts 5:16 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 5:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 5:16 means
Crowds from the cities around Jerusalem bring the sick and those tormented by unclean spirits, and all are healed. This comprehensive statement emphasizes the breadth and completeness of God’s mercy through the apostles. Physical and spiritual afflictions meet the same powerful Savior whom the apostles proclaim. The healings validate the message of Jesus’ resurrection and lordship. The church becomes a conduit of restoration beyond its immediate neighborhood. The verse showcases the kingdom’s inbreaking power, not as an end in itself but as a sign pointing to Christ, who delivers from sin and Satan and brings wholeness to those who come to Him in faith.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611There 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And numbers of people came together from the towns round about Jerusalem, with those who were ill and those who were troubled with unclean spirits: and they were all made well.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and there were coming together also the people of the cities round about to Jerusalem, bearing ailing persons, and those harassed by unclean spirits--who were all healed.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And there came also together to Jerusalem a multitude out of the neighbouring cities, bringing sick persons and such as were troubled with unclean spirits: who were all healed.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And the multitude also of the cities round about came together to Jerusalem, bringing sick persons and persons beset by unclean spirits, who were all healed.
Context
This verse completes the picture of widespread blessing described in the preceding scenes. The movement now draws people from surrounding cities, signaling regional impact. Such popularity and power set the backdrop for the next dramatic turn: the high priest and the Sadducees react with jealousy and arrest the apostles. The narrative moves from public acclaim to official opposition. The contrast heightens the theme that when God advances His work, resistance often grows. The stage is now set for divine intervention through an angelic release and a renewed mandate to preach in the temple.
v.15insomuch that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that, as Peter came by, at the least his shadow might overshadow some one of them.
v.16This passage
v.17But the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy,
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 5:17
And it came to pass on one of those days, that he was teaching; and there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, who were come out of every village of Galilee and Judæa and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was with him to heal.
- John 14:12
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto the Father.
- Mark 6:54
And when they were come out of the boat, straightway the people knew him,
- James 5:16
Confess therefore your sins one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working.
- Mark 16:17
And these signs shall accompany them that believe: in my name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues;
- Matthew 4:24
And the report of him went forth into all Syria: and they brought unto him all that were sick, holden with divers diseases and torments, possessed with demons, and epileptic, and palsied; and he healed them.
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