Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Acts 5:15

"insomuch that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that, as Peter came by, at the least his shadow might overshadow some one of them." — Acts 5:15 (ASV)

The material in these two verses is structurally much like that of 4:34–35, for in both cases there is a logical and linguistic connection with each thesis statement. In both instances special and extraordinary expressions of the respective thesis statements are detailed. Just as healing virtue had flowed from Jesus by touching in faith the edge of his cloak (cf. Mark 5:25–34,), so even Peter’s shadow was used by God to effect a cure (cf. 19:11–12). And whereas the healing of the crippled beggar had originally aroused the Sadducees’ antagonism, now, Luke tells us, such miracles were being repeated numerous times in the apostles’ ministry. Thus crowds from the outlying districts around Jerusalem thronged the apostles. No wonder the Sadducees’ jealousy erupted anew!