Acts 5:15

New Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Acts 5:15 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “insomuch 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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

insomuch 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.
Acts 5:15 — American Standard Version

Context — Acts 5

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, etc.] These words are to be read in connection with the former part of the twelfth verse. Such miraculous cures being wrought by the apostles, the people who had sick persons in their houses, hearing of it brought them out; either “into the streets”, as we render it, and as the Alexandrian copy reads; or “in every street” in Jerusalem, waiting for the apostles as they came, to receive a cure from them: and laid them on beds and couches; for the better conveniency of carrying them to the apostles, or for their lying upon them until they came by that way: that at the least, the shadow of Peter passing by, might overshadow some of…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“into the streets--"in every street." on beds and couches--The words denote the softer couches of the rich and the meaner cribs of the poor [BENGEL]. shadow of Peter . . . might overshadow some of them--Compare Act 19:12; Luk 8:46. So Elisha. Now the predicted greatness of Peter (Mat 16:18), as the directing spirit of the early Church, was at its height.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Insomuch - So that. This should be connected with Acts 5:12. Many miracles were performed by the apostles, “insomuch, etc.” They brought forth - The people, or the friends of the sick, brought them forth. Beds - κλινῶν klinōn. This word denotes usually the “soft” and “valuable” beds on which the rich commonly lay. And it means that the rich, as well as the poor, were laid in the path of Peter and the other apostles. Couches - κραββάτων krabatōn. The coarse and hard couches on which the poor used to lie, Mark 2:4, Mark 2:9,Mark 2:11-12; Mark 6:55; John 5:8-12; Acts 9:33. The shadow of Peter - That is, they were laid in the path so that the shadow of Peter, as he walked, might pass over…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“they brought: Act 19:11, Act 19:12; Mat 9:21, Mat 14:36; Joh 14:12 into the streets: or, in every street Acts 5:16”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification