The Meaning of Acts 5:16 Explained

Acts 5:16

KJV: 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.

YLT: and there were coming together also the people of the cities round about to Jerusalem, bearing ailing persons, and those harassed by unclean spirits -- who were all healed.

Darby: And the multitude also of the cities round about came together to Jerusalem, bringing sick persons and persons beset by unclean spirits, who were all healed.

ASV: And there also came together the multitudes from the cities round about Jerusalem, bring sick folk, and them that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

<1161> 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. 

What does Acts 5:16 Mean?

Verse Meaning

News of the apostles" powers was spreading beyond Jerusalem. People from outlying areas were bringing their sick friends to them just as people had brought sick friends to Jesus from miles around (cf. Luke 5:15). Luke probably meant that all whom the apostles sought to heal experienced restoration, not that they healed every single individual who was sick (cf. Matthew 8:16). Even Jesus" healings were limited in their scope (cf. Luke 5:17). [1] This verse is one of the texts that advocates of the "prosperity gospel" appeal to as proof that it is never God"s will for anyone to be sick. Other texts they use include Exodus 15:26; Exodus 23:25; Psalm 103:3; Proverbs 4:20-22; Isaiah 33:24; Jeremiah 30:17; Matthew 4:23; Matthew 10:1; Mark 16:16-18; Luke 6:17-19; and Acts 10:38. [2]
This section is very similar to Acts 4:32-35, though this summary shows the church gaining many more adherents and much greater influence than the former one documented.

Context Summary

Acts 5:12-26 - Delivered To Testify
While the Holy Spirit works mightily within the Church, He co-operates with it in its outward operations by adding men and women to the Lord. None should be added to the Church roll who have not already been led into living union with Jesus. Through the Church, as His body, the risen Savior works such miracles as are here narrated, filling the hearts of the humble with love and joy, and exciting inveterate hatred in His foes.
The angel of God comes to open prison doors. Are you in sore trouble, from which there is no apparent deliverance? Are you imprisoned in the dungeon of doubt and black despair? Are you being heavily persecuted? Oh, wrap around you the divine protection! Dare to believe that the doors will open as by unseen hands. Nothing can stay the purposes of God. Only use your God-given liberty to go forth to teach the people. The gospel is a message to the people. Let us preach to the hungry, needy crowds. Philosophers, scientists, the wise and prudent of the age, may mock, but the people know the gospel when they hear it. Let us give it to them! [source]

Chapter Summary: Acts 5

1  After that Ananias and Sapphira his wife,
3  at Peter's rebuke had fallen down dead;
12  and that the rest of the apostles had wrought many miracles;
14  to the increase of the faith;
17  the apostles are again imprisoned;
19  but delivered by an angel bidding them preach openly to all;
21  when, after their teaching accordingly in the temple,
29  and before the council,
33  they are in danger to be killed;
34  but through the advice of Gamaliel, they are kept alive, and are only beaten;
41  for which they glorify God, and cease no day from preaching

Greek Commentary for Acts 5:16

Came together [συνηρχετο]
Imperfect middle, kept on coming. [source]
Round about [περιχ]
Old adverb, strengthened form of περι — peri only here in the N.T. Vexed (οχλουμενους — ochloumenous). Present passive participle of οχλεω — ochleō to excite a mob (οχλος — ochlos) against one, to trouble, annoy. Old word, only here in the N.T., though ενοχλεω — enochleō in Luke 6:18. Were healed every one Imperfect passive, were healed one at a time, repetition. [source]
Vexed [οχλουμενους]
Present passive participle of οχλεω — ochleō to excite a mob (οχλος — ochlos) against one, to trouble, annoy. Old word, only here in the N.T., though ενοχλεω — enochleō in Luke 6:18. [source]
Were healed every one [ετεραπευοντο απαντες]
Imperfect passive, were healed one at a time, repetition. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 5:16

Acts 3:10 Were filled [επληστησαν]
Effective first aorist passive. At that which had happened (τωι συμβεβηκοτι — tōi sumbebēkoti). Perfect active participle of συμβαινω — sumbainō Acts 3:11 The Codex Bezae adds “as Peter and John went out.” As he held Genitive absolute of krateō to hold fast, with accusative rather than genitive to get hold of (Acts 27:13). Old and common verb from kratos (strength, force). Perhaps out of gratitude and partly from fear (Luke 8:38). In the porch that is called Solomon‘s (epi tēi stoāi tēi kaloumenēi Solomōntos). The adjective Stoic (stoikos) is from this word stoa (porch). It was on the east side of the court of the Gentiles (Josephus, Ant. XX. 9, 7) and was so called because it was built on a remnant of the foundations of the ancient temple. Jesus had once taught here (John 10:23). Greatly wondering Wondering out of Late adjective. Construction according to sense (plural, though laos singular) as in Acts 5:16; Acts 6:7; Acts 11:1, etc. [source]
Acts 3:10 As he held [kratountos autou)]
Genitive absolute of krateō to hold fast, with accusative rather than genitive to get hold of (Acts 27:13). Old and common verb from kratos (strength, force). Perhaps out of gratitude and partly from fear (Luke 8:38). In the porch that is called Solomon‘s (epi tēi stoāi tēi kaloumenēi Solomōntos). The adjective Stoic (stoikos) is from this word stoa (porch). It was on the east side of the court of the Gentiles (Josephus, Ant. XX. 9, 7) and was so called because it was built on a remnant of the foundations of the ancient temple. Jesus had once taught here (John 10:23). Greatly wondering Wondering out of Late adjective. Construction according to sense (plural, though laos singular) as in Acts 5:16; Acts 6:7; Acts 11:1, etc. [source]
Acts 3:10 Greatly wondering [ekthamboi)]
Wondering out of Late adjective. Construction according to sense (plural, though laos singular) as in Acts 5:16; Acts 6:7; Acts 11:1, etc. [source]
Revelation 16:13 Of the dragon [του δρακοντος]
That is Satan (Revelation 12:3, Revelation 12:9).Of the beast (του τηριου — tou thēriou). The first beast (Revelation 13:1, Revelation 13:12) and then just the beast (Revelation 13:14.; Revelation 14:9, Revelation 14:11; Revelation 15:2; Revelation 16:2, Revelation 16:10), the brute force of the World-power represented by the Roman Empire” (Swete).Of the false prophet Cf. Matthew 7:15; Acts 13:6; 1 John 2:22; 1 John 4:3; 2 John 1:7. Identified with the second beast (Revelation 13:11-14) in Revelation 19:20; Revelation 20:10. So the sixth bowl introduces the dragon and his two subalterns of chapters Rev 12; 13 (the two beasts).Three unclean spirits (πνευματα τρια ακαταρτα — pneumata tria akatharta). Out of the mouths of each of the three evil powers (the dragon and the two beasts) comes an evil spirit. See the use of mouth in Revelation 1:16 (Revelation 9:17.; Revelation 11:5; Revelation 12:15; Revelation 19:15, Revelation 19:21) as a chief seat of influence. In 2 Thessalonians 2:8 we have “the breath of his mouth” (the other sense of πνευμα — pneuma). For ακαταρτον — akatharton (unclean) with πνευμα — pneuma see Mark 1:23.; Mark 3:11; Mark 5:2.; Acts 5:16; Acts 8:7. Christ expelled unclean spirits, but His enemies send them forth” (Swete). See Zechariah 13:2 “the false prophets and the unclean spirits.”As it were frogs Cf. Exodus 8:5; Leviticus 11:10. Old word, here alone in N.T. Like loathsome frogs in form. [source]
Revelation 16:13 Of the false prophet [του πσευδοπροπητου]
Cf. Matthew 7:15; Acts 13:6; 1 John 2:22; 1 John 4:3; 2 John 1:7. Identified with the second beast (Revelation 13:11-14) in Revelation 19:20; Revelation 20:10. So the sixth bowl introduces the dragon and his two subalterns of chapters Rev 12; 13 (the two beasts).Three unclean spirits (πνευματα τρια ακαταρτα — pneumata tria akatharta). Out of the mouths of each of the three evil powers (the dragon and the two beasts) comes an evil spirit. See the use of mouth in Revelation 1:16 (Revelation 9:17.; Revelation 11:5; Revelation 12:15; Revelation 19:15, Revelation 19:21) as a chief seat of influence. In 2 Thessalonians 2:8 we have “the breath of his mouth” (the other sense of πνευμα — pneuma). For ακαταρτον — akatharton (unclean) with πνευμα — pneuma see Mark 1:23.; Mark 3:11; Mark 5:2.; Acts 5:16; Acts 8:7. Christ expelled unclean spirits, but His enemies send them forth” (Swete). See Zechariah 13:2 “the false prophets and the unclean spirits.”As it were frogs Cf. Exodus 8:5; Leviticus 11:10. Old word, here alone in N.T. Like loathsome frogs in form. [source]
Revelation 16:13 Three unclean spirits [πνευματα τρια ακαταρτα]
Out of the mouths of each of the three evil powers (the dragon and the two beasts) comes an evil spirit. See the use of mouth in Revelation 1:16 (Revelation 9:17.; Revelation 11:5; Revelation 12:15; Revelation 19:15, Revelation 19:21) as a chief seat of influence. In 2 Thessalonians 2:8 we have “the breath of his mouth” (the other sense of πνευμα — pneuma). For ακαταρτον — akatharton (unclean) with πνευμα — pneuma see Mark 1:23.; Mark 3:11; Mark 5:2.; Acts 5:16; Acts 8:7. Christ expelled unclean spirits, but His enemies send them forth” (Swete). See Zechariah 13:2 “the false prophets and the unclean spirits.” [source]

What do the individual words in Acts 5:16 mean?

Were coming together now also the multitude from the surrounding cities Jerusalem bringing [the] sick and [those] being tormented by spirits unclean who were healed all
συνήρχετο δὲ καὶ τὸ πλῆθος τῶν πέριξ πόλεων Ἰερουσαλήμ φέροντες ἀσθενεῖς καὶ ὀχλουμένους ὑπὸ πνευμάτων ἀκαθάρτων οἵτινες ἐθεραπεύοντο ἅπαντες

συνήρχετο  Were  coming  together 
Parse: Verb, Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: συνέρχομαι  
Sense: to come together.
δὲ  now 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
καὶ  also 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: καί  
Sense: and, also, even, indeed, but.
πλῆθος  multitude 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: πλῆθος  
Sense: a multitude.
τῶν  from  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Feminine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
πέριξ  surrounding 
Parse: Adverb
Root: πέριξ  
Sense: round about: the neighbouring cities.
πόλεων  cities 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Plural
Root: πόλις  
Sense: a city.
Ἰερουσαλήμ  Jerusalem 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: Ἰερουσαλήμ  
Sense: denotes either the city itself or the inhabitants.
φέροντες  bringing 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: φέρω  
Sense: to carry.
ἀσθενεῖς  [the]  sick 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: ἀσθενής  
Sense: weak, infirm, feeble.
ὀχλουμένους  [those]  being  tormented 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle or Passive, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: ὀχλέω  
Sense: to excite a mob against one.
πνευμάτων  spirits 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Neuter Plural
Root: πνεῦμα  
Sense: a movement of air (a gentle blast.
ἀκαθάρτων  unclean 
Parse: Adjective, Genitive Neuter Plural
Root: ἀκάθαρτος  
Sense: not cleansed, unclean.
ἐθεραπεύοντο  were  healed 
Parse: Verb, Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive, 3rd Person Plural
Root: θεραπεύω  
Sense: to serve, do service.