But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.
English Standard Version (ESV)
While the apostles were arrested, the Word of God couldn't be stopped; instead, it grew, and the total number of believers reached about five thousand, signifying a significant expansion of the early church despite opposition. This verse is likely referring to the cumulative number of believers since Pentecost, not just those converted on this specific day.
But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.
English Standard Version (ESV)
While Peter and John are being arrested for healing a man and preaching about Jesus, the preaching itself is incredibly fruitful. Despite the opposition from religious leaders, many who heard the apostles' message came to believe, significantly increasing the number of followers to around five thousand in total. This surge in believers shows that persecution, rather than stopping the message, paradoxically fuels its spread.
When the early followers of Jesus faced arrest and opposition, you might expect their numbers to dwindle. But that's not what happened here! In fact, the opposite occurred.
The story in Acts shows us a powerful pattern: persecution often fans the flames of faith, rather than extinguishing them.
A Paradox of Faith
When Peter and John were arrested for preaching about Jesus, the religious leaders must have thought they had successfully silenced the message. But God had a different plan.
The Word Spreads
Instead of scattering, the people who heard the apostles' message believed. The very attempt to crush the movement led to its expansion. This isn't a one-off event; it's a recurring theme in the early church. Opposition didn't stop the gospel; it propelled it forward, proving that human efforts to silence God's truth are ultimately futile.
Imagine stepping into a meeting and realizing the group has nearly doubled since the last time you were there! That's the kind of explosive growth happening here.
Acts 4:4 speaks of a significant increase in the number of believers, bringing the total count of men to around five thousand. This wasn't just a small gathering anymore; it was a burgeoning community.
A Cumulative Count
Scholars generally agree that this five thousand likely represents the number of male believers up to this point, not just those converted that specific day. This means it includes the three thousand from Pentecost (Acts 2:41) and others who had joined since then. It's a testament to the rapid and widespread impact of the apostles' preaching.
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More Than Just Numbers
While the number is impressive, remember that "men" here likely refers to people in general, as was common in ancient usage. The actual total, including women and children, would have been considerably larger, painting a picture of a vibrant and expanding church.
Understand the original words
logos · Greek Noun
The message or revelation of God to humanity, frequently referring to the gospel of Jesus Christ. It encompasses the power of God to save, convict, and transform those who hear and respond in faith.
pisteuō · Greek Verb
To place one's full trust, reliance, and confidence in God or His message. In the New Testament, it is the fundamental response to the gospel, resulting in salvation and relationship with God.
The rapid growth of the early church, even in the face of opposition, highlights the powerful impact of the apostles' preaching and the miraculous events surrounding Jesus.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
The central events of Christian faith, Jesus' death and resurrection, occur in Jerusalem.
c. AD 30
The Day of Pentecost
The Holy Spirit descends upon Jesus' followers, empowering them to preach. Around 3,000 people are converted.
c. AD 30
Healing of the Lame Man
Peter and John heal a man lame from birth at the temple gate. This miracle draws a large crowd.
c. AD 30— this verse
Peter and John's Sermon and Arrest
Peter preaches boldly to the gathered crowd about Jesus, leading to the arrest of the apostles by temple authorities.
c. AD 30
The Early Church Grows
Despite the apostles' arrest and persecution, the Christian community continues to grow rapidly, reaching thousands.
This passage describes the initial outpouring of believers after Peter's sermon on Pentecost, setting the stage for the growth seen in Acts 4:4.
Matthew 13:31-32Jesus' parable of the mustard seed illustrates how something small, like the early church, can grow into something remarkably large, mirroring the rapid expansion of believers mentioned in Acts.
John 15:5Jesus' teaching about abiding in Him as the vine explains the source of the church's fruitfulness; the believers' growth wasn't due to their own strength but from their connection to Christ.
Acts 5:14This verse shows continued growth even after a challenging event, emphasizing the persistent and powerful expansion of the early church.
vincentActs 4:4: "Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand."
The number was about five thousandTranslate ἐγενήθη as Rev., came to be; indicating the addition to the original number of the many that believed.
clarkeActs 4:4: "Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand."
The number - was about five thousand - That is, as I understand the passage, the one hundred and twenty which were converted before pentecost, the three thousand converted at pentecost, and one thousand eight hundred and eighty converted since the conversion of the three thousand; making in the whole five thousand, or ὡσει about that number: there might have been more or less; the…
While the apostles were arrested, the Word of God couldn't be stopped; instead, it grew, and the total number of believers reached about five thousand, signifying a significant expansion of the early church despite opposition. This verse is likely referring to the cumulative number of believers since Pentecost, not just those converted on this specific day.
While Peter and John are being arrested for healing a man and preaching about Jesus, the preaching itself is incredibly fruitful. Despite the opposition from religious leaders, many who heard the apostles' message came to believe, significantly increasing the number of followers to around five thousand in total. This surge in believers shows that persecution, rather than stopping the message, paradoxically fuels its spread.
While Peter and John are being arrested for healing a man and preaching about Jesus, the preaching itself is incredibly fruitful. Despite the opposition from religious leaders, many who heard the apostles' message came to believe, significantly increasing the number of followers to around five thousand in total. This surge in believers shows that persecution, rather than stopping the message, paradoxically fuels its spread.
"But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand." — While the apostles were arrested, the Word of God couldn't be stopped; instead, it grew, and the total number of believers reached about five thousand, signifying a significant expansion of the early…
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Last reviewed October 2026