Acts 5:13
And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.
Original Language Analysis
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 12
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὐδεὶς
no man
G3762
οὐδεὶς
no man
Strong's:
G3762
Word #:
4 of 12
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
ἐτόλμα
durst
G5111
ἐτόλμα
durst
Strong's:
G5111
Word #:
5 of 12
to venture (objectively or in act; while g2292 is rather subjective or in feeling); by implication, to be courageous
κολλᾶσθαι
join himself
G2853
κολλᾶσθαι
join himself
Strong's:
G2853
Word #:
6 of 12
to glue, i.e., (passively or reflexively) to stick (figuratively)
αὐτοὺς
them
G846
αὐτοὺς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 12
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἀλλ'
but
G235
ἀλλ'
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
8 of 12
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
ἐμεγάλυνεν
magnified
G3170
ἐμεγάλυνεν
magnified
Strong's:
G3170
Word #:
9 of 12
to make (or declare) great, i.e., increase or (figuratively) extol
αὐτοὺς
them
G846
αὐτοὺς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
10 of 12
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Cross References
Acts 2:47Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.Acts 4:21So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.Acts 19:17And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
Historical Context
Ancient religious practice understood sacred/profane distinction strongly. The early church's holiness inspired respect from non-believers who recognized supernatural power. This parallels Israel's conquest when surrounding nations feared God's presence (Joshua 2:9-11).
Questions for Reflection
- How does appropriate fear of God's holiness coexist with intimate relationship through Christ?
- What does outsiders' respectful distance teach about church's distinctiveness from world?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The paradox - 'of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them' - describes simultaneous reverence and distance. The Greek 'kollaō' (join) suggests close association. 'Durst no man' indicates fear-induced hesitation following Ananias and Sapphira's judgment. Yet 'the people magnified them' (Greek 'megalynō,' made great) showed public respect. This tension reveals healthy fear: reverence for holiness without reducing God to cosmic buddy. Casual approach to sacred things was impossible after witnessing divine judgment.