Acts 5:14 (KJV)

What does Acts 5:14 mean?

Acts 5:14 reports that more and more people, both men and women, became believers and joined the early Christian community, recognizing Jesus as Lord. This verse highlights the growing impact and appeal of the apostles’ message in Jerusalem, even as opposition was rising.

This statement comes in the middle of a description of the early days of the church in Jerusalem, after the apostles had performed miracles and faced threats from religious leaders. The verse emphasizes that belief in Jesus was not limited by gender or social status, and that the movement was attracting large crowds despite challenges. The focus is on the unstoppable growth and inclusiveness of the early church.

The Greek behind Acts 5:14

• The word for “believers” is πιστεύω (pisteuō), which means “those who trust” or “those who have faith.” Here, it refers to people who put their trust in Jesus and joined the Christian community.
• The phrase “were added” comes from προστίθημι (prostithēmi), which means “to add to” or “to join.” The Greek here carries the sense of people being joined together with the group, not just counted as individuals.
• The word for “multitudes” is πλῆθος (plēthos), meaning “a large number” or “crowd.” This stresses that the growth was significant and not just a handful of new followers.
• The words for “men” (ἀνήρ, anēr) and “women” (γυνή, gynē) are both specifically mentioned, showing that the message was reaching all adults, not just a single group.

Why Acts 5:14 matters

• Acts 5:14 clarifies that the early Christian movement was not exclusive to men; women were also openly welcomed and counted among the believers, which was notable in that cultural context.
• The verse shows that, despite threats and persecution, the message about Jesus continued to spread rapidly and could not be stopped by outside opposition.
• It connects to the wider story in Acts, where the growth of the church is a recurring theme, showing that the apostles’ work was visibly effective and that many people were drawn to their message.