Acts 5:16

Unto Jerusalem. Textual evidence favors (cf. p. 10) the omission of “unto.” The inhabitants of the surrounding towns brought out their sick, but did not necessarily carry them into Jerusalem. The verse may cover a fairly long period of time, during which the apostles could have visited a considerable number of “the cities round about” Jerusalem.

Vexed. The Greek verb here translated “vexed” is found in the NT only here and in Luke 6:18, but is used frequently in the works of Greek medical writers. It is therefore just such a word as one would expect Luke the physician to use.

Unclean spirits. See on Matt. 12:43, 44. Christ gave His disciples power to cast out such evil spirits (see Matt. 10:1). The Seventy had already exercised that power (Luke 10:17), and the Twelve had doubtless performed similar miracles. But now, in the full power of the Holy Spirit, they were doing the “greater works” that Jesus had promised (John 14:12; Mark 16:17).

Healed every one. Compare Matt. 8:16; 12:15; DA241 concerning the similar results arising from Christ’s medical ministry. How extraordinary it must have been to see whole families, and possibly whole communities, free from sickness. The fame of the church and its leaders spread far and wide.