Bible Strands
Acts 5:14
Yet more and more believers were brought to the Lord—large numbers of both men and women.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Luke narrates the expansion of the early church immediately following the apostles' public ministry and the crowd's reverent hesitation to join them directly. The account captures a moment of rapid demographic growth after the apostles faced opposition and performed miraculous signs.
The words — προσετίθεντο (prosetithento) = were added; πλήθη (plēthē) = multitudes. These terms denote the numerical increase of believers joining the community.
The thread — This pattern of divine addition appears in Acts 2:47, where the Lord adds to their number daily, and Acts 4:4, where many who heard the message believed. Isaiah 55:11 provides the theological foundation that God’s word accomplishes His purpose without returning empty.
Why it lands — The text reports a factual increase in believers, requiring the reader to recognize that church growth originates from divine action rather than human strategy. It demands an assessment of whether one aligns with the Lord’s expanding work or remains at a reverent distance.
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
King James Version
And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
Cross-references
- Acts 2:47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
- Isaiah 55:11 so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.
- Acts 4:4 But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand.
- Ezra 10:1 While Ezra prayed and made this confession, weeping and falling facedown before the house of God, a very large assembly of Israelites—men, women, and children—gathered around him, and the people wept bitterly as well.
- Acts 2:41 Those who embraced his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to the believers that day.
- 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 9:31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria experienced a time of peace. It grew in strength and numbers, living in the fear of the Lord and the encouragement of the Holy Spirit.
- Acts 9:35 and all who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.
- Acts 9:42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.
- Exodus 35:22 So all who had willing hearts, both men and women, came and brought brooches and earrings, rings and necklaces, and all kinds of gold jewelry. And they all presented their gold as a wave offering to the LORD.