And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The "awe" that fell on everyone wasn't just fear of God's power, but a profound reverence that actually prevented opposition to the fledgling church. It acted like a divine shield, buying the new community precious time to grow before facing harsher persecution.
And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The vibrant outpouring of the Holy Spirit and Peter's powerful sermon on Pentecost have just stunned Jerusalem, leading thousands to believe and be baptized. In the wake of this spiritual earthquake, this verse describes the broader impact: a profound sense of awe settled upon everyone, believers and skeptics alike, as the apostles continued to perform remarkable signs and wonders, demonstrating God's power and confirming the nascent church's message. This awe served to protect the fragile new community from immediate opposition, allowing it to grow and solidify its internal life.
The text mentions 'fear' coming on everyone, but was it the kind of fear that makes you run away? Or something else entirely?
The word used for 'fear' here isn't about terror or panic. It's a deep, reverential awe. Think of the feeling you get when you witness something incredibly powerful and holy – maybe standing at the edge of a vast canyon or seeing a breathtaking sunrise. It silences you, humbles you, and reminds you of something much bigger than yourself. This 'awe' fell upon the onlookers, not necessarily to terrify them, but to stop them in their tracks. It was a divinely inspired pause, a moment of respectful fear that quieted opposition and made people pay attention to the incredible events unfolding.
Wonders and signs were happening constantly. What was their purpose in this early stage of the church?
The 'wonders and signs' weren't just for show. They served a crucial purpose: they authenticated the apostles' message and silenced critics. Imagine the scene: a group of ordinary men suddenly performing extraordinary feats, speaking in other languages, and preaching a message of resurrection that was radical and challenging. These miracles acted as God's stamp of approval, making it harder for people to simply dismiss the apostles or their message as nonsense. The scholarly context points out that this divine intervention, through signs and wonders, acted like a bridle, restraining potential persecutors and preventing premature destruction of the fledgling church before it could establish itself.
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Understand the original words
phobos · Greek Noun
A state of reverential fear, wonder, or astonishment, often experienced when encountering the power, presence, or holiness of God.
teras · Greek Noun
A divine act or supernatural event designed to authenticate the message of the gospel and display the glory of God.
sēmeion · Greek Noun
A sign or miracle that serves as a pointer to the truth of the gospel, often confirming the authority of the message or the messenger.
The awe and signs described in this verse occurred in the immediate aftermath of Pentecost, during a period of rapid growth and burgeoning community life for the fledgling church in Jerusalem, when divine power was on full display.
c. 30 AD
Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus
The central events of Christian faith, Jesus' death and resurrection, occurred in Jerusalem and surrounding areas.
c. 30 AD
The Day of Pentecost
The Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus' followers in Jerusalem, empowering them and leading to the first public proclamation of the Gospel.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Thousands Converted in Jerusalem
Following Peter's sermon on Pentecost, about three thousand people converted and were baptized, forming the initial community of believers.
c. 30-33 AD
Apostolic Miracles and Community Growth
The apostles, empowered by the Holy Spirit, performed many signs and wonders, leading to the rapid growth and unique communal life of the early church.
c. 33 AD
First Persecution of the Church
Believers faced initial opposition and persecution from Jewish authorities, leading to arrests and scattering of some disciples.
c. 35-45 AD
Early Missionary Efforts
The Gospel began to spread beyond Jerusalem, with apostles like Peter and Paul embarking on missionary journeys to various regions.
This passage highlights that God also bore witness to Jesus' message through signs, wonders, and various works of power, mirroring the confirmation of the apostles' message in Acts.
Mark 16:20This verse directly states that the Lord worked with the disciples, and the signs that followed confirmed their preaching, much like the wonders accompanying the apostles in Acts 2.
Exodus 8:19The magicians in Egypt recognized that the plagues were 'the finger of God,' showing how divine signs can inspire awe and fear in onlookers, similar to the reaction to the apostles' miracles.
Acts 4:33This passage describes the apostles continuing to testify with great power and the church receiving great grace, reinforcing the theme of divine power accompanying their ministry.
2 Corinthians 12:12Paul reminds the Corinthians that 'the signs of a true apostle' were performed among them, emphasizing that miraculous signs were a recognizable mark of authentic apostolic authority.
cambridgeActs 2:43: "And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles."
43 . And fear came upon every soul ] The mockers were silenced by what they saw and heard, and were deterred from further opposition even though they did not listen to the call to repentance. wonders and signs ] See Acts 2:22 .
vincentActs 2:43: "And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles."
Fear (φόβος)Not terror, but reverential awe: as Mark 4:41; Luke 7:16; 1 Peter 1:17, etc.
The "awe" that fell on everyone wasn't just fear of God's power, but a profound reverence that actually prevented opposition to the fledgling church. It acted like a divine shield, buying the new community precious time to grow before facing harsher persecution.
The vibrant outpouring of the Holy Spirit and Peter's powerful sermon on Pentecost have just stunned Jerusalem, leading thousands to believe and be baptized. In the wake of this spiritual earthquake, this verse describes the broader impact: a profound sense of awe settled upon everyone, believers and skeptics alike, as the apostles continued to perform remarkable signs and wonders, demonstrating God's power and confirming the nascent church's message. This awe served to protect the fragile new community from immediate opposition, allowing it to grow and solidify its internal life.
The vibrant outpouring of the Holy Spirit and Peter's powerful sermon on Pentecost have just stunned Jerusalem, leading thousands to believe and be baptized. In the wake of this spiritual earthquake, this verse describes the broader impact: a profound sense of awe settled upon everyone, believers and skeptics alike, as the apostles continued to perform remarkable signs and wonders, demonstrating God's power and confirming the nascent church's message. This awe served to protect the fragile new community from immediate opposition, allowing it to grow and solidify its internal life.
"And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles." — The "awe" that fell on everyone wasn't just fear of God's power, but a profound reverence that actually prevented opposition to the fledgling church. It acted like a divine shield, buying the new c…
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Last reviewed October 2026