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Acts 2:41,47
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were addedunto them about three thousand souls…

Acts 4:4
Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

Acts 6:7
And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

multitudes.

Acts 8:3,12
As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committedthem to prison…

Acts 9:2
And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

Acts 22:4
And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.

large numbers of both men and women
The inclusion of both men and women signifies the breaking of social and cultural barriers in the early church. In a patriarchal society, the mention of women as part of the growing number of believers is significant. It reflects the inclusive nature of the Gospel, as seen inGalatians 3:28, where Paul states, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." This growth also fulfills the prophecy ofJoel 2:28-29, which Peter referenced inActs 2:17-18, indicating that God's Spirit would be poured out on all people, regardless of gender. The large numbers suggest a movement that was gaining momentum and influence, setting the stage for the spread of Christianity beyond Jerusalem.

Luke notes a continued swell of spiritual momentum: “Yet more and more…” The gospel was not plateauing but expanding. Earlier, 3,000 were added in one day (Acts 2:41), then about 5,000 men (Acts 4:4). Now the pace keeps accelerating. God’s pattern is clear: wherever Christ is faithfully preached and the church walks in holiness (Acts 5:1-11) and power (Acts 5:12-13), growth follows. Just as Jesus promised, the mustard seed keeps spreading its branches (Matthew 13:31-32), and the gates of Hades cannot prevail (Matthew 16:18).

Those being added are expressly called “believers,” identical to the description inActs 4:32: “All the believers were one in heart and mind.” Salvation is not mere interest or attendance; it is personal trust in the risen Christ (John 1:12; 3:16). Luke stresses authentic conversion, echoing the call Peter gave at Pentecost: “Repent and be baptized…” (Acts 2:38). God is growing a community defined by faith, not by heritage or ritual (Galatians 3:26-29).

No one drifts into the kingdom by accident; they are “brought.” God draws people (John 6:44) through Spirit-empowered witness (Acts 1:8). The miracles in Solomon’s Colonnade (Acts 5:12) verified the apostles’ message, but it was the Lord Himself who saved (Acts 2:47). The wording reminds us the church’s task is to lead people to Christ, not simply to religion (2 Corinthians 5:20).

Luke loves to highlight God’s arithmetic: added (Acts 2:47), multiplied (Acts 6:7), increased greatly (Acts 12:24). “Large numbers” underscores that the gospel is sufficient for crowds, not just individuals (Romans 1:16). While each soul matters, Scripture also celebrates sweeping harvests (John 4:35-38). This verse invites us to expect God-sized results when He moves.

In a culture often dominated by male headcounts, Luke is careful to honor the women God is calling. He did the same at Pentecost (Acts 1:14; 2:17-18) and will again with Lydia (Acts 16:13-15) and many others. The Spirit is poured out “on all people,” fulfilling Joel’s prophecy. Salvation levels the ground at the cross (Galatians 3:28), welcoming every believer into full participation and gifting.

Acts 5:14 paints a vibrant picture of a holy, Spirit-filled church: momentum building, genuine faith spreading, Christ Himself drawing multitudes, and both men and women embraced in equal measure. When God’s people honor His Word and rely on His power, He still delights to add “yet more and more” to His family.

Both of men and women.--The mention of the latter forms an introduction to the dissensions connected with the "widows" in Acts 6, and is itself characteristic of St. Luke as a writer who had seen and known the effect of the new Religion in raising women to a higher life, and whose knowledge of its history was in great measure derived from them. (SeeIntroduction to St. Luke's Gospel.) So inActs 8:3 women are named as prominent among the sufferers in the first general persecution.