so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse highlights the people's incredible faith, not necessarily in Peter himself, but in the God who empowered him. They weren't just hoping for a chance encounter; they strategically laid the sick in the path of his shadow, demonstrating a profound belief that God's healing power could flow through even the most unexpected means, like a shadow.
so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following the dramatic judgment of Ananias and Sapphira, the apostles' ministry exploded with signs and wonders, drawing crowds to Solomon's Porch. This widespread healing ministry, including people's fervent hope that Peter's very shadow could heal, directly followed the fear and awe that gripped the early church after the divine judgment. The sheer volume of sick people brought out into the streets shows the immense faith and expectation placed on the apostles' divine power.
Imagine the desperation: sick people, longing for healing, laying on the street just hoping for a brush with something holy. What does this tell us about faith?
This scene in Acts 5:15 is a powerful picture of desperate faith reaching out for God's healing touch. The people weren't just passively waiting; they were actively bringing their sick to the street, laying them on beds and mats.
Peter's shadow… could that really heal? Or was something else at play? Let's look closer at the role of the apostles.
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The people's actions highlight a crucial distinction: the apostles, like Peter, were powerful conduits of God's healing, but they were not the source of that power.
The intense faith and expectation of the people, eager for healing from the apostles, led them to place the sick in the streets, hoping Peter's mere shadow passing by would bring recovery, highlighting the powerful spiritual atmosphere in early Jerusalem.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
The foundational events of Christianity occur in Jerusalem, leading to the formation of the early church.
c. AD 30-33
Pentecost and the Holy Spirit's Coming
The Holy Spirit empowers the apostles, enabling them to perform miracles and preach the Gospel with boldness.
c. AD 30-33
Healing of the Lame Man at the Temple Gate
Peter, empowered by the Spirit, heals a man lame from birth at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple, drawing a large crowd.
c. AD 30-33
Apostles Imprisoned and Testify
The apostles Peter and John are arrested for preaching but are miraculously released from prison overnight.
c. AD 30-33
Apostles Arrested Again and Freed
The apostles are arrested again for teaching in the Temple but are miraculously freed from jail by an angel, then return to teaching.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Miraculous Healings Spread Belief
Numerous signs and wonders are performed by the apostles, leading to increased faith and the bringing of sick people to be healed.
c. AD 30-33
Council and Continued Persecution
The apostles are brought before the Sanhedrin, warned, and beaten, but rejoice in suffering for Christ's name.
This passage shows a similar intense faith from someone seeking healing, where the belief was that simply touching Jesus' garment would bring wholeness, echoing the desperation and hope seen in the crowds bringing the sick to Peter.
Acts 19:11-12This passage directly parallels the Acts 5 account, mentioning how God worked extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched his skin were used to heal the sick and expel demons.
2 Kings 13:20-21This Old Testament account provides a similar, yet earlier, example of healing associated with a prophet's remains, where a man's body, upon touching the bones of Elisha, was revived, demonstrating a precedent for divine power manifesting through proximity to God's servants.
Mark 5:27-28This passage describes the woman with the issue of blood who was convinced that 'If I even touch his garments, I will be made well,' mirroring the faith and expectation that proximity to Peter could bring healing, as described in Acts 5:15.
ellicottActs 5:15: "Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them."
(15) Insomuch that they brought forth the sick . . . —The tense implies habitual action. For some days or weeks the sick were laid all along the streets—the broad open streets, as distinct from the lanes and alleys (see Note on Matthew 6:5 )—by which the Apostle went to and fro between his home and the Temple.…
jfbActs 5:12-26: "And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch."
Ac 5:12-26. The Progress of the New Cause Leads to the Arrest of the Apostles—They Are Miraculously Delivered from Prison, Resume Their Teaching, but Allow Themselves to Be Conducted before the Samhedrim.12. Solomon's Porch—(See on [1952]Joh 10:23).
This verse highlights the people's incredible faith, not necessarily in Peter himself, but in the God who empowered him. They weren't just hoping for a chance encounter; they strategically laid the sick in the path of his shadow, demonstrating a profound belief that God's healing power could flow through even the most unexpected means, like a shadow.
Following the dramatic judgment of Ananias and Sapphira, the apostles' ministry exploded with signs and wonders, drawing crowds to Solomon's Porch. This widespread healing ministry, including people's fervent hope that Peter's very shadow could heal, directly followed the fear and awe that gripped the early church after the divine judgment. The sheer volume of sick people brought out into the streets shows the immense faith and expectation placed on the apostles' divine power.
Following the dramatic judgment of Ananias and Sapphira, the apostles' ministry exploded with signs and wonders, drawing crowds to Solomon's Porch. This widespread healing ministry, including people's fervent hope that Peter's very shadow could heal, directly followed the fear and awe that gripped the early church after the divine judgment. The sheer volume of sick people brought out into the streets shows the immense faith and expectation placed on the apostles' divine power.
"so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them." — This verse highlights the people's incredible faith, not necessarily in Peter himself, but in the God who empowered him. They weren't just hoping for a chance encounter; they strategically laid the s…
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Last reviewed October 2026