The book of Acts describes some remarkable events surrounding the apostle Peter in the early days of the Christian church. In Acts 5:15-16, we read:
They even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. Also the people from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together, bringing people who were sick or afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all being healed.
So what exactly was happening here? What was it about Peter’s shadow that brought healing to people?
To understand this passage, we need to first understand the context. In the previous verses (Acts 5:12-14), we’re told that “many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles.” The early church experienced remarkable healings and miracles as a testimony to the power of the risen Christ. Peter stood out as a prominent leader and miracle worker among the apostles.
As news spread of Peter’s healings, crowds gathered from Jerusalem and surrounding towns, bringing their sick loved ones into the streets to be near Peter. They believed that if even Peter’s shadow fell on them as he walked by, they would be healed. And Scripture says that indeed, “they were all being healed.”
But what was happening through Peter’s shadow? First, it’s important to recognize that the healing power did not originate from Peter himself. Scripture is clear that only God can perform supernatural healings (Psalm 103:2-3). The healings actually came from the Lord Jesus, working through Peter.
Peter’s shadow became a point of contact through which people released their faith in Jesus and were open to receive divine healing. It was a tangible way for them to connect with God’s power through a man of great faith. The people’s expectation, desperation, and faith were keys that unlocked the supernatural healings.
In healing through Peter’s shadow, we see God graciously meeting people within their superstitions, limited understanding, and imperfect faith. They didn’t fully understand how divine healing works, but had faith that God could heal through this unusual point of contact. And Jesus still worked miracles in their lives.
Several important lessons emerge from this passage:
- Jesus Christ is the true source of supernatural healing and miracle-working power.
- God can use points of contact that demonstrate faith and expectation to release His power.
- Desperation and faith are key ingredients for experiencing the miraculous.
- God meets us where we are and works within our limited understanding.
- Nothing is impossible for God. He can heal in unexpected and unusual ways.
While today we are not promised healing through casting shadows on people, the principles remain relevant. As we step out in faith, fix our eyes on Jesus, and intercede in compassion, God can still do the miraculous. Healing comes from the Lord Himself, according to His divine will and purposes.
In summary, the healings came not from Peter’s shadow itself, but from Christ’s supernatural power responding to the faith of desperate people. God met them in their imperfect understanding and worked miracles through this unlikely medium. We serve the same miracle-working Savior today.
Background on Peter’s Miracle Ministry
To better understand the healings through Peter’s shadow in Acts 5, it is helpful to look at the background of his miracle ministry in the book of Acts.
Peter was foremost among Jesus’ original twelve disciples. He walked closely with Jesus during His earthly ministry and witnessed many of His miracles firsthand (Matthew 4:18-22; Luke 5:1-11).
After Jesus’ death and resurrection, He commissioned His disciples to continue doing miraculous works in His name, stating: “these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well” (Mark 16:17-18).
Empowered by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, Peter and the other disciples began ministering boldly in the name and authority of Jesus Christ. Scripture records, “Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles” (Acts 2:43). The apostles witnessed with great power and miracles, drawing many to faith in Jesus.
Peter’s ministry especially stands out in the book of Acts for the remarkable signs, wonders, and healings performed through him, confirming his position as a foremost apostle of Christ:
- He healed a lame beggar in the name of Jesus (Acts 3:1-10).
- Multitudes believed in Jesus as news spread of signs and wonders done through the apostles, with people bringing the sick into the streets to be healed through Peter’s shadow (Acts 5:12-16).
- Peter healed Aeneas, a paralytic who had been bedridden for eight years (Acts 9:32-35).
- He raised Tabitha from the dead after she had fallen sick and died (Acts 9:36-42).
Peter’s miracles authenticated the gospel message he preached and pointed people to Christ as the true healer and miracle worker. As an apostle, his special calling and empowerment included signs, wonders, and mighty works.
The healings through Peter’s shadow should be understood in this broader context of his extensive miracle working ministry as evidence of the risen Christ’s power at work through him. It was not about Peter’s personal power, but Christ working through a Spirit-filled disciple as a testimony of the gospel.
Exposition of the Passage (Acts 5:15-16)
Now let’s take a close look at the full original passage describing the healings through Peter’s shadow:
They even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. Also the people from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together, bringing people who were sick or afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all being healed. (Acts 5:15-16)
We see several important details in these verses:
- Expectation of healing – People fully expected to be healed if Peter’s shadow fell on them. They went to extraordinary lengths, carrying the sick outside into the streets on mats and beds to access his shadow.
- Point of contact – Peter’s passing shadow served as a point of contact for releasing faith and expectation of healing.
- From both Jerusalem and other regions – The crowds came both from Jerusalem itself and also from surrounding towns, indicating widespread interest.
- Healings confirmed – Scripture testifies that indeed, healings did occur: “they were all being healed.”
- Variety of conditions – Those coming to be healed included the sick, demon-possessed, paralyzed, etc. All types of conditions were being healed.
A few other biblical passages provide additional details about these healings:
- They took place by Solomon’s Colonnade, a temple courtyard where believers regularly met (Acts 3:11, 5:12).
- This stirred up jealousy and opposition from the Jewish leaders (Acts 5:17-18).
- Yet believers continued meeting daily and God kept working unusual miracles (Acts 5:19-21).
In summary, this passage describes authentic healings worked by God’s power through Peter and the expectant faith of the people. The miracles validated the gospel and glorified Christ.
Parallels with Jesus’ Healing Ministry
The healings through Peter’s shadow have interesting parallels with Jesus’ own healing ministry recorded in the Gospels:
- Touching His cloak – A woman was healed of bleeding simply by touching Jesus’ cloak (Luke 8:43-48).
- People brought out – Friends lowered a paralyzed man through the roof to reach Jesus since they couldn’t get through the crowds (Luke 5:17-26).
- From distant regions – People traveled from as far away as Syria and Decapolis to seek Jesus’ healings (Matthew 4:24-25).
- Healings confirmed – Jesus healed all who came to Him (Matt. 4:23, 8:16, 12:15, Luke 6:17-19).
- Variety of conditions – Jesus healed every kind of disease and affliction (Matt. 4:23, 9:35).
We see the Lord Jesus clearly working through His disciple Peter, continuing to heal and minister to the needs of the people. The healings through Peter’s shadow demonstrated that the power of the exalted Christ was mightily at work in the early church.
Purposes of the Healings
Based on other biblical accounts of miracles, we can highlight several key purposes these healings through Peter’s shadow likely served:
- Validating the gospel message – Miracles testified that the apostles’ teaching was from God (Acts 14:3, Hebrews 2:3-4).
- Authenticating Peter’s ministry – The miracles demonstrated Christ’s approval of Peter as a spokesperson for Him, giving weight to Peter’s message.
- Increasing faith – Miracles produced awe and wonder, increasing faith in Christ among new believers (Acts 3:9-10).
- Showing God’s compassion – Miracles displayed God’s love and mercy for hurting people.
- Defeating the work of Satan – Healings overpowered the effects of sin, sickness, and demonic influence in people’s lives.
- Pointing to redemption – Physical healings foreshadowed the greater healing of the soul from sin available through Christ.
God used these miracles to build up His church, overcome the work of the enemy, and point people to salvation in Jesus Christ.
Principles for Supernatural Healing Today
While the apostolic era contained many unique events and manifestations of the Spirit’s power, we can still draw principles from these healings that remain relevant for believers today:
- Healing comes from God – Ultimately all healing is divine in origin, coming from God’s love and power.
- Faith and expectation unlock healing – Releasing faith through tangible expressions and having expectant trust are keys that allow God’s power to flow.
- Healing requires compassion – We must demonstrate Christlike compassion for the suffering to be effective conduits of His healing.
- Prayers of godly leaders – There is power in the anointed prayers of spiritual leaders fully devoted to God.
- Healing confirms the gospel – When God heals in response to prayer in Jesus’ name, it draws people to salvation.
- God uses inadequate faith – We do not need perfect understanding for God to work miracles in response to genuineness and desperation.
While we do not duplicate the apostolic gifts today, God still heals and works miracles according to His will. As we step out to pray for the sick with love and faith in Jesus’ name, He can display His mighty power.
Historical Interpretations of the Passage
Throughout church history, biblical scholars and theologians have offered various perspectives on the supernatural healings through Peter’s shadow recorded in Acts 5:15-16. Here is an overview of some of the key views on this passage:
- Literal miraculous healings – Many take the passage at face value as documenting genuine miracles by the power of God through Peter’s ministry. This aligns with the supernatural worldview of biblical times.
- Legendary embellishment – Some critical scholars believe the passage contains exaggerated legend development about Peter as Christianity developed. They question the literal accuracy of the healings.
- Symbolic of gospel spread – A popular early interpretation saw Peter’s shadow as symbolic of the rapid spread of the gospel across nations, bringing spiritual healing.
- Healings through hypnotic suggestion – Skeptical interpreters propose the healings resulted from hypnotic suggestions to those who believed Peter’s shadow had power to heal them.
- Example of apostolic authority – Many commentators see the passage as primarily highlighting Peter’s unique apostolic authority and the special empowerment given to the original apostles by Christ.
Debates continue today over how to best interpret this passage. But Christians can have confidence that, at the very least, it illustrates God’s supernatural power manifest through Spirit-empowered leaders like Peter in the early church for the advancement of the gospel.
Implications and Applications for Christians Today
This miraculous account of healings through Peter’s shadow has several helpful applications for believers today:
- It reminds us of Christ’s supreme authority over all sickness and affliction.
- It displays God’s mercy and compassion for those who suffer.
- It encourages us to pursue faith-filled prayer for the sick today.
- It spurs generosity in helping those with physical needs come to Jesus.
- It fuels expectation that God can still do the extraordinary and miraculous.
- It illustrates the importance of Spirit-empowered leadership in the church.
- It teaches us to look beyond human instruments to Christ as the true Source of all healings.
This passage gives us confidence that the Lord who worked wonders through the shadow of His apostle Peter still has all power in heaven and on earth. He remains fully able to respond with miraculous healing when we cry out to Him in faith-filled prayer.
Even centuries later, we serve the same miracle-working Savior. As we intercede for the sick and suffering in Jesus’ name today, we can trust His loving compassion and wisdom to heal according to His sovereign will and for His glory.
