Acts 5:13 - None of the rest dared to join them, however the people honored them.

Generated Verse: Acts 5:13

What does "Acts 5:13" mean?


This verse, Acts 5:13, follows the story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11. They were struck dead by God for lying about a donation they made to the church. This event instilled great fear within the community. Let's break down the meaning:

"None of the rest dared to join them...": This refers to others who were likely considering similar acts of deception or perhaps wanted to freeload on the community's generosity without genuine commitment. The word "join" here implies aligning themselves with the apostles or associating with them in the same way, possibly seeking status or recognition within the church without having the genuine faith and integrity that the apostles possessed. The fear of God's judgment, witnessed in the fate of Ananias and Sapphira, kept them away. They were afraid of being exposed and suffering a similar fate.

"...however, the people honored them.": Despite the fear and reverence inspired by the event, the people still held the apostles in high regard. The people recognized that the apostles were acting as God's instrument and they felt that it was an honor to be in the presence of the Apostles. They recognized that the apostles were acting with God's authority, even in carrying out such a severe judgment.

In summary: The verse highlights a complex situation. The fear of God's power and judgment, as demonstrated through the death of Ananias and Sapphira, prevented insincere individuals from trying to deceive the church or exploit its generosity. At the same time, this event didn't diminish the respect and admiration the community held for the apostles; in fact, it likely increased it. They saw the apostles as having a special connection to God and acting with His authority, which led to greater honor and reverence.

Key takeaways:

God's holiness and the seriousness of sin: The story emphasizes that God takes sin seriously, especially hypocrisy and deceit within the church.
Fear of God: A healthy fear of God leads to reverence and obedience.
Apostolic authority: The apostles were seen as having a unique authority and power from God.
Genuine faith vs. outward appearance: The passage contrasts genuine faith and commitment with superficial actions motivated by selfish desires.

The verse also sets the stage for the continued growth of the church despite this frightening event. The people were more cautious and discerning, and the apostles' authority was reinforced, leading to a purer and more dedicated community.