Bede : And the number of men became five thousand. If in the five thousand men whom the Lord fed in the desert (Matthew XIV), the people under the law are understood but were refreshed by the gift of Christ, these five thousand instructed by the apostles' teachings can also signify the people of the Gentiles, who spiritually followed the mysteries of the same law. And both are fittingly granted the heavenly gift in the evening, because when the fullness of time had come, God sent His Son (Galatians IV). — Commentary on Acts John Chrysostom : "Howbeit, many having heard the word, believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand." How was this? Did they see them in honor? Did they not behold them put in bonds? How then did they believe? Do you see the evident efficacy? And yet even those that believed already might well have become weaker. But no, it is no longer so: for Peter's sermon had laid the seed deep into them, and had taken a hold upon their understandings. Therefore were their enemies incensed, that they did not fear them, that they made no account of their present troubles. For, say they, if He that was crucified effects such great things, and makes the lame to walk, we fear not these men either. This again is of God's ordering. For those who now believe were more numerous than the former. Therefore it was that in their presence they bound the Apostles, to make them also more fearful. But the reverse took place. And they examine them not before the people, but privately, that the hearers may not profit by their boldness. — Homily on Acts 10 John Chrysostom : Once there were three thousand - there were five thousand - and yet they had all one soul: but now each knows not his brother, and is not ashamed to lay the blame on the number, because it is so great! — Homily on Acts 40 Oecumenius : "Five thousand." For this reason he was speaking beforehand, about the five thousand: "You give them something to eat." (Matt. 14:16, Mark 6:37, Luke 9:13) That is, you will first satisfy the five thousand with faith and then you yourselves afterwards. — Commentary on Acts Oecumenius : But the opposite happened. For many of those who heard the message believed. Do you see a visible divine operation? And indeed even those who had already believed became weaker. But Peter's speech, being formed by the divine Spirit, touched their very souls. — Commentary on Acts