King James Bible
Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.

American Standard Version
insomuch that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that, as Peter came by, at the least his shadow might overshadow some one of them.

Young's Literal Translation
so as into the broad places to bring forth the ailing, and to lay them upon couches and mats, that at the coming of Peter, even his shadow might overshadow some one of them;

Acts 5:15 Additional Translations
Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Insomuch that they brought forth the sick - This verse is a continuation of the subject begun in the 12th. The following is the order in which all these verses should be read, from the 11th to the 15th.

Acts 5:11. And great fear came upon all the Church, and upon as many as heard these things.

Acts 5:13. And of the rest durst no man join himself to them; but the people magnified them:

Acts 5:14. And believers were the more added to the Lord, both men and women.

Acts 5:12. (last clause.) And they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.

Acts 5:12. (first clause.) And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people;

Acts 5:15. Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, etc., etc.

How these different verses and clauses of verses, got so intermingled and confounded as they are now in our common text, I cannot tell; but the above will appear at once to be the natural order in which they should be placed.

That - the shadow of Peter passing by - I cannot see all the miraculous influence here that others profess to see. The people who had seen the miracles wrought by the apostles pressed with their sick to share the healing benefit: as there must have been many diseased people, it is not likely that the apostles, who generally addressed such persons, prayed and used imposition of hands, could reach all those that were brought to them, as fast as the solicitude of their friends could wish. As, therefore, they could not get Peter or the other apostles, personally, to all their sick, they thought if they placed them on that side of the way where the shadow was projected, (the sun probably now declining, and consequently the shadow lengthening), they should be healed by the shadow of the man passing over them, in whose person such miraculous powers were lodged. But it does not appear that the persons who thus thought and acted were of the number of those converts already made to the faith of Christ; nor does it appear that any person was healed in this way. The sacred penman simply relates the impression made on the people's minds; and how they acted in consequence of this impression. A popish writer, assuming that the shadow of Peter actually cured all on which it was projected, argues from this precarious principle in favor of the wonderful efficacy of relics! For, says he, "if the shadow of a saint can do so much, how much more may his bones, or any thing that was in contact with his person, perform!" Now, before this conclusion can be valid, it must be proved:

1. That the shadow of Peter did actually cure the sick;

2. That this was a virtue common to all the apostles;

3. That all eminent saints possess the same virtue;

4. That the bones, etc., of the dead, possess the same virtue with the shadow of the living;

5. That those whom they term saints were actually such;

continued...

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

they brought.

Acts 19:11,12 And God worked special miracles by the hands of Paul...

Matthew 9:21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.

Matthew 14:36 And sought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.

John 14:12 Truly, truly, I say to you, He that believes on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do...

into the streets. or, in every street.

Acts 5:15 Parallel Commentaries
Ailing Beds Broad Carried Couches Fall Forth Friends Ill Insomuch Laid Light Mats Order Overshadow Pallets Passing Peter Peter's Result Shade Shadow Sick StreetsAiling Beds Broad Carried Couches Fall Forth Friends Ill Insomuch Laid Light Mats Order Overshadow Pallets Passing Peter Peter's Result Shade Shadow Sick StreetsTHE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica®.

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