For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.

ACTS 4:22KJV
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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.

Where else these words appear

“healing” Greek G2392 · used in 3 verses

  • Luke 13:32 And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.
  • Acts 4:30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

“forty” Greek G5062 · used in 21 verses

  • Matthew 4:2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
  • Acts 7:36 He brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.
  • Hebrews 3:17 But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?

“old” Greek G2094 · used in 48 verses

  • Matthew 9:20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:
  • Luke 13:11 And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.
  • Romans 15:23 But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you;

“above” Greek G4119 · used in 55 verses

  • Matthew 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
  • John 4:1 When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,
  • Acts 25:6 And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought.