Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 2:44

"And all that believed were together, and had all things common;" — Acts 2:44 (ASV)

All that believed. This means those who believed that Jesus was the Messiah; for that was the distinguishing point by which they were known from others.

Were together—epi to auto—. They were united; they were joined in the same thing. It does not mean that they lived in the same house, but they were united in the same community, or engaged in the same thing. They were doubtless often together in the same place for prayer and praise. One of the best means for strengthening the faith of young converts is for them to meet together often for prayer, conversation, and praise.

Had all things common. This means all their property or possessions. (Acts 5:1–10). The apostles, in the time of the Saviour, evidently had all their property in common stock, and Judas was made their treasurer. They regarded themselves as one family, having common wants, and there was no use or propriety in their possessing extensive property by themselves.

Yet even then it is probable that some of them retained an interest in their property which was not considered necessary to be devoted to the common use. It is evident that John thus possessed property which he retained (John 19:27). And it is clear that the Saviour did not command them to give up their property into a common stock, nor did the apostles enjoin it.

Acts 5:4 states: "Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power?" It was therefore perfectly voluntary and was evidently adapted to the particular circumstances of the early converts. Many of them came from abroad. They were from Parthia, and Media, and Arabia, and Rome, and Africa, etc.

It is probable, also, that they now remained longer in Jerusalem than they had at first proposed. And it is not at all improbable that they would now be denied the usual hospitalities of the Jews and excluded from their customary kindness, because they had embraced Jesus of Nazareth, who had just been put to death. In these circumstances, it was natural and proper that they should share their property together while they remained together.