Acts 5:11 Meaning and Explanation
“And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Great fear settles on the whole church and on everyone who hears what has happened.
What Does Acts 5:11 Mean?
The fear first felt at Ananias's death (verse 5) now rests doubled upon the believing community itself and ripples outward to everyone who hears the report. At the very beginning of its story, the church learns that the God who dwells among his people is holy.
Healthy faith holds love and awe together. The God who is our Father is also 'a consuming fire,' and we are called to serve him 'with reverence and godly fear' (Hebrews 12:28-29). Such reverence is not the opposite of closeness to God but its foundation, and a church that takes him seriously becomes a place where truth is told.
Acts 5:11 in the Original Language
ekklesia (ἐκκλησία), 'church' -- an assembly of people called out and gathered together.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 5:11
What does Acts 5:11 mean?
Great fear settles on the whole church and on everyone who hears what has happened.