Chapter

Acts 5:16

ESV The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
NIV Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.
NASB The people from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together as well, bringing people who were sick or tormented with unclean spirits, and they were all being healed.
CSB In addition, a multitude came together from the towns surrounding Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
NLT Crowds came from the villages around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those possessed by evil spirits, and they were all healed.
KJV 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.
NKJV Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

What does Acts 5:16 mean?

While going to the temple to pray one afternoon, Peter and John came upon a man born lame. Peter healed him in the name of Jesus. The man stood and began leaping about, drawing the attention of a crowd who knew him as the lame beggar by the gate. Peter and John used the opportunity to teach the crowd about Jesus' resurrection and His offer of forgiveness for anyone who repents (Acts 3).

Members of the Sanhedrin saw the crowd and arrested Peter and John. Most of the chief priests belong to the sect of the Sadducees who did not believe in the resurrection of the dead. To hear men speaking that Jesus, the bane of the Sanhedrin, had risen after the Sanhedrin had Him killed is too much to bear. Because the healing miracle was so grand and had so many witnesses, the council lets Peter and John go, but not without warning them to never again speak or preach in Jesus' name (Acts 4:1–22).

Now, all twelve apostles are healing and preaching in Jesus' name and it's driving the Sadducees mad with jealousy (Acts 5:17)—not just because the people are coming from miles around to see them, but because the people believe their message and are following Jesus (Acts 5:14). The only thing the council can think to do is arrest them all. This time, they will beat them (Acts 5:40). Soon, they will go after all the Jesus-followers, leaders and converts (Acts 8:1–3).
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