Acts 2:44

All the believers were together and had everything in common.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Luke records this description of the early Jerusalem church immediately after the apostles perform wonders and signs that draw awe from the crowd (Acts 2:43). The narrative places this communal life right before detailing how believers sold possessions to distribute to anyone in need (Acts 2:45).

The words — πᾶντες (pantes) means "all" and οἱ πιστεύοντες (hoi pisteuontes) means "those believing," identifying the specific group in view. The phrase ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτὸ (epi to auto) literally translates to "upon the same," describing their shared physical and material existence.

The thread — The practice of holding possessions in common reappears in Acts 4:32, where believers are described as one in heart and soul with no private claims on their property. This mutual distribution model aligns with the reciprocal surplus principle in 2 Corinthians 8:14 and the sacrificial love standard in 1 John 3:16.

Why it lands — The text states that the new converts lived in close proximity and shared resources without private ownership. It requires readers to examine whether their own communal life reflects practical generosity rather than isolated self-sufficiency.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

πάντεςpantesAll δὲdenow οἱhoithose πιστεύοντεςpisteuontesbelieving ἦσανēsanwere ἐπὶepitogether τὸtothe αὐτὸautosame καὶkaiand εἶχονeichonwere having ἅπανταhapantaall things κοινά,koinain common,

King James Version

And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

Cross-references

Acts 4:32 The multitude of believers was one in heart and soul. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they owned.
1 John 3:16 By this we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
2 Corinthians 8:14 At the present time, your surplus will meet their need, so that in turn their surplus will meet your need. This way there will be equality.
Acts 6:1 In those days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Grecian Jews among them began to grumble against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.
2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.
2 Corinthians 9:6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
Acts 5:4 Did it not belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? How could you conceive such a deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God!”