Acts 5:15 Meaning and Explanation
“Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The sick are carried into the streets on beds and couches, in hope that even Peter's passing shadow might fall on some of them.
What Does Acts 5:15 Mean?
The scene recalls the days when crowds laid their sick wherever Jesus passed, hoping to touch even the border of his garment (Mark 6:56). The same expectant longing now surrounds the apostle whom Jesus appointed, as the power of God flows through his church.
Luke does not say the shadow itself healed; the next verse says they were healed, every one. A shadow has no power, but the God toward whom desperate faith reaches has all power, and he honors even reaching, imperfect faith. He still meets people who bring him nothing but their need and their hope.
Acts 5:15 in the Original Language
episkiazo (ἐπισκιάζω), 'overshadow' -- to cast a shadow over; the verb used of the cloud at the transfiguration (Luke 9:34).
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 5:15
What does Acts 5:15 mean?
The sick are carried into the streets on beds and couches, in hope that even Peter's passing shadow might fall on some of them.