Acts 4:4
New International Version
But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.

New Living Translation
But many of the people who heard their message believed it, so the number of men who believed now totaled about 5,000.

English Standard Version
But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.

Berean Standard Bible
But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand.

Berean Literal Bible
But many of those having heard the word believed, and the number of the men became about five thousand.

King James Bible
Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

New King James Version
However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

New American Standard Bible
But many of those who had heard the message believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

NASB 1995
But many of those who had heard the message believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

NASB 1977
But many of those who had heard the message believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

Legacy Standard Bible
But many of those who had heard the message believed, and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

Amplified Bible
But many of those who heard the message [of salvation] believed [in Jesus and accepted Him as the Christ]. And the number of the men came to be about 5,000.

Christian Standard Bible
But many of those who heard the message believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But many of those who heard the message believed, and the number of the men came to about 5,000.

American Standard Version
But many of them that heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

Contemporary English Version
But a lot of people who had heard the message believed it. So by now there were about 5,000 followers of the Lord.

English Revised Version
But many of them that heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But many of those who had heard the message became believers, so the number of men who believed grew to about 5,000.

Good News Translation
But many who heard the message believed; and the number grew to about five thousand.

International Standard Version
But many of those who heard their message believed, and the men grew to number about 5,000.

Majority Standard Bible
But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand.

NET Bible
But many of those who had listened to the message believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.

New Heart English Bible
But many of those who heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

Webster's Bible Translation
But many of them who heard the word, believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

Weymouth New Testament
But many of those who had listened to their preaching believed; and the number of the adult men had now grown to be about 5,000.

World English Bible
But many of those who heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and many of those hearing the word believed, and the number of the men became, as it were, five thousand.

Berean Literal Bible
But many of those having heard the word believed, and the number of the men became about five thousand.

Young's Literal Translation
and many of those hearing the word did believe, and the number of the men became, as it were, five thousand.

Smith's Literal Translation
And many of them having heard the word, believed; and the number of men was about five thousand.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But many of them who had heard the word, believed; and the number of the men was made five thousand.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But many of those who had heard the word believed. And the number of men became five thousand.

New American Bible
But many of those who heard the word came to believe and [the] number of men grew to [about] five thousand.

New Revised Standard Version
But many of those who heard the word believed; and they numbered about five thousand.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Howbeit many of them who heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And many who heard the word believed, and they were in number about five thousand men.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
But many of those who heard the word, believed: and the number of the men was about five thousand.

Godbey New Testament
And many of those hearing the word believed, and the number of men was about five thousand.

Haweis New Testament
But many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

Mace New Testament
however, many who heard Peter's discourse, believed, to the number of about five thousand people.

Weymouth New Testament
But many of those who had listened to their preaching believed; and the number of the adult men had now grown to be about 5,000.

Worrell New Testament
And many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men became about five thousand.

Worsley New Testament
But many of them who heard the word, believed: and the number of the men was about five thousand.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Peter and John Before the Council
3They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in custody until the next day. 4But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand. 5The next day the rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem,…

Cross References
Acts 2:41
Those who embraced his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to the believers that day.

Acts 5:14
Yet more and more believers were brought to the Lord—large numbers of both men and women.

Acts 6:7
So the word of God continued to spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem grew rapidly, and a great number of priests became obedient to the faith.

Acts 11:21
The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.

Acts 13:48
When the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and glorified the word of the Lord, and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.

Acts 16:5
So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.

Acts 19:20
So the word of the Lord powerfully continued to spread and prevail.

John 4:39-42
Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in Jesus because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” / So when the Samaritans came to Him, they asked Him to stay with them, and He stayed two days. / And many more believed because of His message. ...

John 12:42
Nevertheless, many of the leaders believed in Him. But because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue.

Romans 10:17
Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

1 Corinthians 3:6-7
I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. / So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.

1 Thessalonians 1:5
because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with great conviction—just as you know we lived among you for your sake.

Matthew 13:23
But the seed sown on good soil is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and produces a crop—a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold.”

Mark 4:20
Still others are like the seeds sown on good soil. They hear the word, receive it, and produce a crop—thirtyfold, sixtyfold, or a hundredfold.”

Luke 8:15
But the seeds on good soil are those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, cling to it, and by persevering produce a crop.


Treasury of Scripture

However, many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

many.

Acts 28:24
And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.

2 Corinthians 2:14-17
Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place…

Philippians 1:12-18
But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; …

the number.

Acts 2:41
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Genesis 49:10
The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.

Isaiah 45:24
Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed.

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Adult Believe Believed Faith Five Grew Grown Heard Hearing Howbeit Message Preaching Thousand Word
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Adult Believe Believed Faith Five Grew Grown Heard Hearing Howbeit Message Preaching Thousand Word
Acts 4
1. The rulers of the Jews, offended with Peter's sermon,
3. imprison him and John.
5. After, upon examination
8. Peter boldly avouching the lame man to be healed by the name of Jesus,
11. and that only by the same Jesus we must be eternally saved,
13. they threaten him and John to preach no more in that name,
23. whereupon the church flees to prayer.
31. And God, by moving the place where they were assembled, testifies that he heard their prayer;
34. confirming the church with the gift of the Holy Spirit, and with mutual love and charity.














But many who heard the message believed
This phrase highlights the power of the apostolic preaching and the work of the Holy Spirit in the early church. The message refers to the gospel of Jesus Christ, which Peter and John were proclaiming. The context is the aftermath of the healing of the lame man at the temple gate, which drew a large crowd and provided an opportunity for Peter to preach about Jesus' resurrection. The belief of many indicates a positive response to the gospel, showing the effectiveness of the apostles' witness and the fulfillment of Jesus' promise that the Holy Spirit would empower them to be His witnesses (Acts 1:8). This belief is not merely intellectual assent but a deep, transformative faith that leads to salvation.

and the number of men grew to about five thousand
This phrase provides a numerical account of the growth of the early church. The mention of "men" specifically may indicate that the count does not include women and children, suggesting that the total number of believers could be significantly higher. This growth is remarkable considering the opposition from religious authorities and the societal challenges faced by the early Christians. The increase from the initial 3,000 converts on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:41) to 5,000 men shows the rapid expansion of the church. This growth fulfills Jesus' parable of the mustard seed (Matthew 13:31-32), illustrating how the kingdom of God starts small but grows large. It also reflects the early church's commitment to evangelism and the communal life described in Acts 2:42-47.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Peter and John
Apostles of Jesus Christ who were preaching the resurrection of Jesus, which led to their arrest by the religious leaders.

2. The Sanhedrin
The Jewish ruling council that opposed the apostles' teaching about Jesus and His resurrection.

3. The Believers
Those who heard the message of Peter and John and believed in Jesus, increasing the number of believers to about five thousand.

4. Jerusalem
The city where these events took place, a central location for early Christian preaching and the spread of the Gospel.

5. The Temple
The place where Peter and John were preaching, and where the early church often gathered.
Teaching Points
The Power of the Gospel Message
The message of Jesus' resurrection is powerful and transformative, leading many to faith.

The Role of Faithful Witnesses
Peter and John's boldness in preaching despite opposition is a model for believers today.

The Growth of the Church
The early church's growth is a testament to God's work and the effectiveness of Spirit-led evangelism.

The Importance of Hearing
Faith comes by hearing the Word of God, emphasizing the need for believers to share the Gospel.

Perseverance Amidst Opposition
Despite challenges, the apostles continued their mission, encouraging believers to remain steadfast in their faith.(4) The number of the men was about five thousand.--Better, became, or was made up to, about five thousand. It seems probable, though not certain, that St. Luke meant this as a statement of the aggregate number of disciples, not of those who were converted on that day. As in the narrative of the feeding of the five thousand (Matthew 14:21), women and children were not included. The number was probably ascertained, as on that occasion, by grouping those who came to baptism and to the breaking of bread by hundreds and by fifties (Mark 6:40). The connection in which the number is given makes it probable that it represents those who, under the influence of the impression made by the healing of the cripple and by St. Peter's speech, attended the meetings of the Church that evening. The coincidence of the numbers in the two narratives could scarcely fail to lead the disciples to connect the one with the other, and to feel, as they broke the bread and blessed it, that they were also giving men the true bread from heaven.

Verse 4. - But for howbeit, A.V.; that for which, A.V.; came to be for was, A.V. The number of the men; strictly, of the males (ἀνδρῶν) (Acts 5:14), but probably used here more loosely of men and women. It is not clear whether the five thousand is exclusive of or includes the three thousand converts at the Feast of Pentecost; but the grammar rather favors, the former, as there is nothing in the word ἀνδρῶν, itself to signify "disciples," or "believers," and therefore it is more naturally referred to those of whom it had just been predicated that, having heard the Word, they believed it.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
But
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

many
πολλοὶ (polloi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4183: Much, many; often.

who
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

heard
ἀκουσάντων (akousantōn)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 191: To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.

the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

message
λόγον (logon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3056: From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.

believed,
ἐπίστευσαν (episteusan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4100: From pistis; to have faith, i.e. Credit; by implication, to entrust.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

the
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

number
ἀριθμὸς (arithmos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 706: A number, total. From airo; a number.

of
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

men
ἀνδρῶν (andrōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 435: A male human being; a man, husband. A primary word; a man.

grew to
ἐγενήθη (egenēthē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.

about
ὡς (hōs)
Adverb
Strong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.

five
πέντε (pente)
Adjective - Nominative Feminine Plural
Strong's 4002: Five. A primary number; 'five'.

thousand.
χιλιάδες (chiliades)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Plural
Strong's 5505: A thousand, the number one thousand. From chilioi; one thousand.


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