Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 5:13

"But of the rest durst no man join himself to them: howbeit the people magnified them;" — Acts 5:13 (ASV)

And of the rest. Different interpretations have been given of this expression.

Lightfoot supposes that by the rest are meant the remainder of the one hundred and twenty disciples, of whom Ananias had been one, and that they feared to put themselves on an equality with the apostles. This interpretation, however, seems far-fetched.

Kuinoel supposes that by the rest are meant those who had not already joined with the apostles, whether Christians or Jews, and that they were deterred by the fate of Ananias.

Priceeus, Morns, Rosenmüller, Schleusner, etc., suppose that by the rest are meant the rich men, or the men of authority and influence among the Jews (of whom Ananias was one), and that they were deterred from it by the fate of Ananias. This is by far the most probable opinion, for the following reasons:

1. There is an evident contrast between them and the people: the rest, i.e., the others of the rich and great, feared to join with them; but the people, the common people, magnified them.
2. The fate of Ananias was suited to have this effect on the rich and great.
3. Similar instances had occurred before, where the great, though they believed in Jesus, were still afraid to come forward publicly and profess Him before men (John 5:44).
4. The phrase the rest sometimes denotes that which is more excellent, or superior in value or importance to something else .

Join himself. This means to become united to, or associated with. The rich and the great then, as now, stood aloof from them and were deterred by fear or shame from professing attachment to the Lord Jesus.

But the people. This refers to the mass of the people; the body of the nation.

Magnified them. This means they honored them and regarded them with reverence and fear.