Acts 5:12–21

Verse 12. Solomon’s porch. This was outside of the temple, open to all, Jews and Gentiles, pure and impure. They assembled here, because it was a large place, where they could speak to many assembled. Had it been within the temple, the priests would have interrupted them, and not have wanted pretexts to silence them. Calmet.

Verse 13. Of the rest, no one durst join himself to them. That is, none of those that did not believe: yet the people praised them, and the number of the faithful increased. Witham.

Verse 15. On.… couches, meaner beds for the poorer sort.—That Peter’s shadow, and so forth Thus was partly fulfilled what Christ had foretold, (John 14:12) that his disciples should do even greater miracles than he had done. Witham.—Saint Ambrose compares with these miracles wrought by Saint Peter’s shadow, those which the linen cloths, that had touched the relics of the holy martyrs, also wrought. Epis. liv. Si inanis quædam species vacuæ imaginis habere potuit in se vim salutis, quanto plus de corpore meruerunt attrahere salubritatis sacris impressa membris vincula passionis? If the empty appearance of an unsubstantial shadow possessed the power of giving health, how much more efficacy must the chains of the martyrs have drawn from the holy members, which they bound?—In appendice operum. Saint Augustine serm. cciii.—St Augustin, speaking of the miracle performed by the saints now reigning in heaven, says: “If the shadow of Peter’s body could afford help, how much more now the fulness of his power? And if then a certain little wind of him, passing by, did profit them that humbly asked, how much more the grace of him, now being permanent and remaining?” Serm. xxxix. de sanctis.