Section 2:43–47

The apostles did miracles, and all the believers shared what they owned

In this section, everyone in Jerusalem was in awe because of the miracles that the apostles were doing. The believers were together, sharing everything they owned with each other. The Lord continually caused more people to believe in Jesus as the Christ.

Here are other possible headings for this section:

Life among the Believers (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
The Believers Share (New Century Version)
-or-
The followers of Jesus are united

Paragraph 2:43–47

2:43a

A sense of awe came over everyone: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as A sense of awe came over everyone is literally “And every soul became/was afraid.” Here, the word awe probably refers to everyone in Jerusalem being amazed and perhaps a bit fearful at the miracles and deeds of the believers. In 2:4–12 they are amazed and perplexed. They probably also honored God because of the miracles. The Greek tense indicates that this occurred for some time. Here are some other ways to translate this Greek phrase:

Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
Everyone continued being awed/amazed

everyone: The Greek is literally “every soul.” It probably refers to everyone in Jerusalem. It is recommended that you translate literally and do not describe who everyone refers to, because it is possible that it refers only to believers or only to non-believers. But some languages must explain. For example:

everyone ⌊in Jerusalem⌋

2:43b

and: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as and can indicate a relationship between two clauses. It is possible that the people of Jerusalem were awed because they saw the wonders and miracles mentioned here. For example:

Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. (New Revised Standard Version)

But the Berean Standard Bible and many English versions translate the Greek word as and.

the apostles performed many wonders and signs: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the apostles performed many wonders and signs is literally “many wonders and signs by/through the apostles were/happened.” The Greek word “by/through” indicates that God told the apostles to do the wonders and miracles and empowered them to do them. The apostles did them but God was responsible for the wonders and miracles occurring.

Although the Berean Standard Bible translates this Greek clause with an active English sentence, in Greek, the clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause, as the Berean Standard Bible models. Another way to translate this clause is:

⌊God⌋ did many wonders and miraculous signs through the apostles

apostles: See how you translated this word in 2:37b.

performed: The Greek tense indicates that the miracles were done over a period of time. They were not done all at one time.

wonders: This word refers to an amazing action or event that indicates something. Unusual things will happen that would cause people to be amazed. Here are some other ways to translate this word:

amazing occurrences/events
-or-
portents

See how you translated this word in 2:19a.

signs: Here this phrase refers to the kinds of miracles which are regarded as having some special meaning. In Matthew 12:38 the Pharisees wanted Jesus to do a special miracle to make it plain that God had sent him. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

miracles ⌊with special meaning⌋
-or-
supernatural occurrences/events ⌊with special meaning⌋

See how you translated this word in 2:19a.

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