The answer is: His shadow

Acts 5:15-16 - Not that his shadow could heal, but a hope that it might be so, as his reputation was so great.

In the book of Acts, the PTAs (Peter Transcendence Achievements) show how Peter became a conduit for divine power during one of the early surge periods of the Church. The shadow aspect really emphasizes the immense faith that the early Christians had in him. They believed that if they could just get close enough to Peter, even his shadow would be a source of healing. Quite the level of trust, right?

Imagine the scene: crowds gathering in the streets of Jerusalem, desperate and hopeful. It's instructive that the text illustrates the fame Peter had garnered. His shadow might not be the direct channel of healing, but it reflected his inherent connection to the sacred—something we might say had an influence on the collective belief of the people. There’s an echo from the Old Testament in this idea too. Remember how people believed that touching the hem of Jesus's garment would bring healing? This showcases the continuous thread of expectation, where physical proximity to a holy individual is believed to facilitate connection to the divine.

Interestingly, scholarly interest peeks at the allegorical implications. Roughly translated, a shadow can symbolize followers’ dependence on a leader's goodness—their moral and spiritual tensile strength. It adds a layer of nuance! Just like that, the ripple of perfect faith draws others into a narrative of hope and possibility—a theme bubbling throughout the scripture!