Acts 4:22 (KJV)

What does Acts 4:22 mean?

Acts 4:22 explains that the man who was healed was over forty years old, highlighting the significance of the miracle. The verse emphasizes the extraordinary nature of his healing because he had lived with his condition for a long time.

In the setting of Acts 4, Peter and John are being questioned by Jewish leaders after healing a man who could not walk. This verse points out the man's age to show that his disability was well-known and long-standing, making the miracle undeniable to everyone in Jerusalem. The detail about his age underlines how remarkable the healing was and why it caused such a stir among the people and authorities.

The Greek behind Acts 4:22

• σημεῖον (sēmeion, "miracle" or "sign"): This word often means a sign that points to something greater. Here, it stresses that the healing was not just a random event but a sign with deeper meaning, showing divine power at work.
• ἰάσεως (iáseōs, "healing"): This word specifically refers to restoration to health. Its use in this verse highlights that the man’s condition was truly reversed, not just improved, making the event even more striking.
• πλείον (pleion, "above" or "more than"): The Greek word here means "more than," which makes it clear that the man was not just forty, but older, adding weight to the idea that his condition was long-term and well-established.

Why Acts 4:22 matters

• Acts 4:22 clears up any doubt about the reality of the miracle by stressing the man’s age and the length of his disability, making it clear that this was not a temporary or minor ailment.
• The verse helps explain why the healing caused such a public reaction and why the authorities could not easily dismiss it—the man was a familiar figure, and his healing was obvious to all.
• This detail connects to the larger story in Acts, showing how the early Christian message was confirmed by undeniable acts of power that challenged the religious leaders’ authority.