12 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. 13 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. 14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) 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. 16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one. (Acts 5:12-16 KJV)
William Burkitt’s Commentary
Three things are here observable:
1. How that act of severity upon Ananias and Sapphira for their hypocrisy, is instantly succeeded with acts of clemency and mercy upon others: The former acts of severity in the apostles were necessary to prevent the intrusion of hypocrites into the Christian church: These subsequent acts of mercy were as necessary for the propagating of the gospel, and to invite people to the love of Christianity.
Accordingly, the apostles, after the death of Ananias, are endued with power from on high to work signs and wonders, to heal diseases, to cast out devils; insomuch, that the people brought forth their sick into the streets, and laid them upon beds, and couches, hoping that the shadow of Peter, as he passed by, might reach and recover some of them.
The church of Rome makes a noise with this text, and produces it to prove St. Peter’s supremacy over the rest of the apostles, because his very shadow cured the diseased: But very groundlessly; for
1. By the same argument they may prove St. Peter to be superior to Christ himself; this being more than what Christ himself wrought, according to what he foretold, Greater works than these shall ye do &c. John 14:12.
2. The papists might observe, were they not wilfully blind, that the napkins and handkerchiefs, which were carried from St. Paul’s body, cured diseases also, and dispossessed devils, Acts 19:12.
3. Besides all this, it is not here expressly said, that any sick were actually healed by St. Peter’s shadow, but that the diseased were brought, in hopes that his shadow might produce such effects; and, if it did so, Almighty God thereby put honour upon the gospel, and upon all the apostles, without any particular respect, or special regard to the person of St. Peter.
Observe, 2. The place where the apostles assembled to preach the gospel, and work miracles for the confirmation of the same, They were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.
Where note, 1. Their unity and unanimity: There were no persons among them guilty of schismatical separation in forsaking the public assembly; but with one mouth, as well as with one mind and heart, they glorified God.
2. Their prudential boldness and holy courage appeared in preaching to the people in Solomon’s porch; for the Sanhedrin, or great council, sat in, or very near that place, even that council, which in the former chapter imprisoned them, and in this beat them. Acts 5:40.
Learn thence, That nothing better becomes the ministers and messengers of Jesus Christ, than an holy and humble, a wise and meek, a zealous and convincing boldness, in asserting the truths of the gospel, and in reproving sin, and denouncing judgments against impenitent sinners. Consider we, how bold and zealous our Lord and Master was in his ministry, We know thou teachest the way of God truly, and acceptest not the person of any. Luke 20:21
And the apostles learned the same of their Master, Acts 4:13. When the high priest saw the boldness of Peter and John, they took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus.
Observe, 3. How God over ruled the judgment inflicted upon Ananias and Sapphira, and caused it to work for special good.
Thus, such of the apostles’ hearers, who were unsound and insincere, durst not join themselves to them, having seen a great instance of severity upon concealed hypocrisy! They were afraid to come among them anymore, or to make a shew of such piety and zeal as Ananias did, for fear of the same, or such like punishment as he had.
But however the people extolled and magnified, admired and applauded them, and multitudes were daily added to the church. This seems to be the sense of And of the rest durst no man join himself to them, but the people magnified them, and believers were added to the Lord multitudes both of men and women. Acts 4:13 Nothing doth more affect and afflict unsound and drossy hypocrites, than the sight of God’s judgments inflicted upon others in this world, and the fear of the righteous judgment of God upon themselves in the world to come.