Acts 4:4

Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

Acts 4:4 (KJV)

Context

Luke, the writer of Acts, continues the account he began in his Gospel, tracing the spread of the early church from Jerusalem outward. This verse follows the healing of a lame man at the temple by Peter and John, an act that drew a crowd and led to their arrest by the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees. The apostles were taken into custody because they taught the people and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. Acts 4:4 records what happened while they were being held, showing that the opposition of religious authorities did not stop the spread of the gospel.

Meaning

The phrase “heard the word” points to the message Peter and John proclaimed, the gospel centered on Jesus Christ and His resurrection. Many who heard this message believed, and the number of the men alone was about five thousand. This figure likely counts adult males, so the total number of believers, including women and children, would have been even larger. The verse emphasizes that faith came through hearing the apostolic word, even as the messengers themselves were under arrest. The Word of God was not bound by human opposition, and the Holy Spirit worked through the preaching to convict hearts and bring people to saving faith in Jesus.

Biblical connections

This growth followed the earlier conversion of about three thousand souls at Pentecost, as recorded in Acts 2:41. The increase to five thousand men shows the continued advance of the gospel in Jerusalem within a short time. Throughout Acts, the resurrection of Jesus stands as the sum and substance of the apostolic message, and faith in the risen Christ is the defining mark of those who believed.

Application

Acts 4:4 encourages believers to recognize the power of God’s Word to transform lives. Just as in the early church, the gospel still has the power to bring people to faith in Jesus Christ. Christians are called to share the good news with others, knowing that God’s Word can penetrate hearts and lead to salvation. The verse also serves as a reminder of the importance of bold and uncompromising proclamation of the gospel. Despite opposition or challenges, believers should not hesitate to share the truth of Jesus Christ, trusting in the Holy Spirit to work in the lives of those who hear.

Reflection

The early church’s growth was a direct result of the proclamation of the gospel, the working of miracles, and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. The response of the people in Acts 4:4 demonstrates that God can bring about belief even in the face of religious authority’s attempts to suppress the message. This verse calls readers to trust that the Word of God remains effective and that faithful witness, empowered by the Spirit, can bear fruit even in difficult circumstances.