Acts 4 · Verse 32

Acts 4:32

And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
Acts 4:32, King James Version

Acts 4:32 in other translations

BSBThe multitude of believers was one in heart and soul. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they owned.
WEBThe multitude of those who believed were of one heart and soul. Not one of them claimed that anything of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.
ASVAnd the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and soul: and not one of them said that aught of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
YLTand of the multitude of those who did believe the heart and the soul was one, and not one was saying that anything of the things he had was his own, but all things were to them in common.
DARBYAnd the heart and soul of the multitude of those that had believed were one, and not one said that anything of what he possessed was his own, but all things were common to them;
BBEAnd all those who were of the faith were one in heart and soul: and not one of them said that any of the things which he had was his property only; but they had all things in common.
WebsterAnd the multitude of them that believed were of one heart, and of one soul: neither said any of them that aught of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

What does Acts 4:32 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Acts 4:31-37

31-37. place was shaken--glorious token of the commotion which the Gospel was to make (Ac 17:6; compare Ac 16:26), and the overthrow of all opposing powers in which this was to issue. they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and spake, &c.--The Spirit rested upon the entire community, first, in the very way they had asked, so that they "spake the word with boldness" (Ac 4:29, 31); next, in melting down all…

Read the full comment on Acts 4:31-37 →

Barnes' Notes
Verse 32. And the multitude. The number of believers at this tune had become large. In Acts 4:4, it is said that it was five thousand; and the number was constantly increasing.

One heart. This expression denotes tender union. They felt alike, or were attached to the same things, and this preserved them from jars and dissensions.

One soul. This phrase also denotes close and tender union. No expression could denote it more strikingly than to say of friends they have one soul. Plutarch cites an ancient verse in his life of Cato of Utica, with this very expression, "Two friends, one soul." (Grotius.) Thus Diogenes Laertius also (5 i. 11) says respecting Aristotle, that "being asked what was a friend, answered, that it was one soul dwelling in two bodies." (Kuin�el.) The Hebrews spake of two friends as being "one man." There can be no more striking demonstration of union and love than to say of more than five thousand suddenly drawn together, that they had one soul! And this union they evinced in every way possible; in their conduct, in their prayers, and in their property. How different would have been the aspect of the church, if the union had continued to the present time!

Neither said, etc. That is, they did not regard it as their own, but to be used for the benefit of the whole society. Acts 2:44.

(e) "one heart" Rom 15:5,6, 2Cor 13:11, Php 2:2, 1Pet 3:8 (f) "but they" Acts 1:8

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 32 The multitude of them that believed - The whole 5000, mentioned Act 4:4, and probably many others, who had been converted by the ministry of the other apostles since that time. Were of one heart and of one soul - Were in a state of the most perfect friendship and affection. In all the 5000 there appeared to be but one heart and one soul; so perfectly did they agree in all their views, religious opinions, and holy affections. Some MSS. add, και ουκ ην διακρισις εν αυτοις ουδεμια, and there was no kind of difference or dissension among them. This remarkable reading is found in the Codex Bezae, another of great authority, E, two others, Ambrose, Bede, Cyprian, and Zeno. Diogenes Laertius relates of Aristotle, ερωτηθεις, τι εστι φιλος; being asked, What is a Friend? εφη, μια ψυχη δυο σωμασιν ενοικουσα answered, One soul dwelling in Two bodies. This saying has been justly celebrated: but what would this wonderful philosopher have thought and said, had he seen these disciples of Jesus, and friends of mankind: one soul dwelling in 5000 bodies! They had all things common - See the notes on Act 2:44, where this subject is examined. See below, Act 4:34.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Acts 4:32-37
The disciples loved one another. This was the blessed fruit of Christ's dying precept to his disciples, and his dying prayer for them. Thus it was then, and it will be so again, when the Spirit shall be poured upon us from on high. The doctrine preached was the resurrection of Christ; a matter of fact, which being duly explained, was a summary of all the duties, privileges, and comforts of Christians. There were evident fruits of Christ's grace in all they said and did. They were dead to this world. This was a great evidence of the grace of God in them. They did not take away others' property, but they were indifferent to it. They did not call it their own; because they had, in affection, forsaken all for Christ, and were expecting to be stripped of all for cleaving to him. No marvel that they were of one heart and soul, when they sat so loose to the wealth of this world. In effect, they had all things common; for there was not any among them who lacked, care was taken for their supply. The money was laid at the apostles' feet. Great care ought to be taken in the distribution of public charity, that it be given to such as have need, such as are not able to procure a maintenance for themselves; those who are reduced to want for well-doing, and for the testimony of a good conscience, ought to be provided for. Here is one in particular mentioned, remarkable for this generous charity; it was Barnabas. As one designed to be a preacher of the gospel, he disentangled himself from the affairs of this life. When such dispositions prevail, and are exercised according to the circumstances of the times, the testimony will have very great power upon others.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Acts 4:32 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΤοῦTou<the>G3588
δὲdeAndG1161
πλήθουςplēthousthe multitudeG4128
τῶνtōnwhoG3588
πιστευσάντωνpisteusantōnhaving believedG4100
ἦνēnwere [in]G1510
καρδίαkardiaheartG2588
καὶkaiandG2532
ψυχὴpsuchēsoulG5590
μία·miaone;G1520
καὶkaiandG2532
οὐδὲoudenotG3761
εἷςheisoneG1520
τιtianythingG5100
τῶνtōnof theG3588
ὑπαρχόντωνhuparchontōnpossessionsG5225
αὐτῷautōto himG846
ἔλεγενelegenwas claimingG3004
ἴδιονidion[his] ownG2398
εἶναι,einaito be,G1511
ἀλλ᾽all᾽butG235
ἦνēnwereG1510
αὐτοῖςautoisto themG846
ἅπανταhapantaall thingsG537
κοινά.koinain common.G2839

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Acts 4:32

  • 1 Corinthians 1:10

    Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

  • Ephesians 4:2-6

    With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, …

  • 1 Peter 3:8

    Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

  • John 17:21-23

    That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

  • Philippians 2:1-2

    If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

  • 2 Corinthians 13:11

    Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

  • 1 Corinthians 12:12-14

    For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.

  • Acts 2:44-46

    And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

  • Jeremiah 32:39

    And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them:

  • Romans 15:5-6

    Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

  • Acts 2:1

    And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

  • Ezekiel 11:19-20

    And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
the multitude.
1:14; 2:1; 5:12; 2Ch 30:12; Jer 32:39; Eze 11:19,20; Joh 17:11,21-23
Ro 12:5; 15:5,6; 1Co 1:10; 12:12-14; 2Co 13:11; Eph 4:2-6; Php 1:27
Php 2:1,2; 1Pe 3:8
ought.
2:44-46; 1Ch 29:14-16; Lu 16:10-12; 1Pe 4:11

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Acts 4:31

    And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

  • Acts 4:32

    And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

  • Acts 4:33

    And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

Read all of Acts 4

Acts 4:32 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y la multitud de los que habían creído era de un corazón y un alma: y ninguno decía ser suyo algo de lo que poseía; mas todas las cosas les eran comunes.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et la multitude de ceux qui avaient cru était un cœur et une âme; et nul ne disait d’aucune des choses qu’il possédait, qu’elle soit à lui; mais toutes choses étaient communes entre eux.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Die Menge derer aber, die gläubig geworden, war ein Herz und eine Seele; und auch nicht einer sagte, daß etwas von seiner Habe sein eigen wäre, sondern es war ihnen alles gemein.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Multitudinis autem credentium erat cor unum et anima una: nec quisquam eorum quæ possidebat, aliquid suum esse dicebat, sed erant illis omnia communia.