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.
And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly - prosperity crowning the beautiful spirit which reigned in this mother-community of Christians.
And a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith - a phrase implying that the believing reception of the Gospel is an act of obedience, and if so, surely it is the highest. (See John 6:29: compare Romans 1:5; Romans 16:20; and see the note at Romans 2:8.) This accession of a great multitude of the priests was the crowning triumph of the Gospel, whose peaceful prosperity was now at its greatest height. For, after Stephen's teaching and trial made it clear that the sacerdotal interests could not stand with the Gospel, such priestly accessions became rare indeed.