Acts 3

Acts 3 records the healing of a lame man by Peter and John at the temple and Peter's subsequent sermon, identifying the resurrected Jesus as the promised Messiah through whom Israel must repent.

• Peter and John enter the temple at the hour of prayer and heal a lame man in the name of Jesus Christ (vv. 1-8).
• The crowd reacts with astonishment and gathers at Solomon's Porch (vv. 9-11).
• Peter addresses the people, correcting their misconception that the miracle resulted from human power and pointing them to the resurrected Christ (vv. 12-16).
• Peter charges the people to repent, connecting Jesus to the prophetic tradition of Moses and the patriarchs (vv. 17-26).

• The ninth hour (3:00 PM) for prayer.
• The Beautiful Gate of the temple.
• The name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
• Solomon's Porch.
• Quotations from Moses and Abraham.

This passage bridges the Old Testament prophetic expectations with the Apostolic proclamation, grounding the Christian message in the continuity of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

The miracle serves as a sign pointing to the authority of the name of the resurrected Jesus, which demands an immediate response of repentance from the hearer.

The chapter moves from a specific miraculous act of healing to a theological discourse that establishes the authority of Jesus and calls for a national response from Israel.

• Sins may be blotted out (v. 19)
• Times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord (v. 19)
• In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed (v. 25)

• Look on us (v. 4)
• Rise up and walk (v. 6)
• Repent ye (v. 19)
• Be converted (v. 19)
• Him shall ye hear in all things (v. 22)

• Every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people (v. 23)

• The ninth hour refers to the time of the evening sacrifice, about 3:00 PM.
• The Beautiful Gate likely refers to the gate of Nicanor or the gate of Susa, known for its ornamentation.

• Beggars frequently sat at temple gates because those entering for worship were expected to perform acts of charity (alms).

• This passage serves as the second major sermon in Acts, paralleling Peter's sermon in Acts 2, with a specific focus on the resurrection and the Jewish audience.

• Peter explicitly references the prophecy of Deuteronomy 18:15 regarding a Prophet like Moses (Acts 3:22).
• He references the Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 12:3, 22:18) regarding the blessing of all nations (Acts 3:25).

• Deuteronomy 18:15-19: Peter identifies Jesus as the fulfillment of the prophet Moses promised.
• Genesis 12:3: Peter cites the promise to Abraham as the basis for the blessing through Jesus.

• ἱερόν (hierón) [G2411]: Denotes the entire temple precincts, distinct from ναός (naos) which refers to the inner sanctuary.
• ἀτενίζω (atenízō) [G816]: To gaze intently; implies Peter's focused, authoritative look.
• ἐλεημοσύνη (eleēmosýnē) [G1654]: Compassionateness or alms; the man expected help, but received healing.
• ἀνήρ (anḗr) [G435]: Emphasizes the man as an adult individual.

• Matthew Henry observes that unlike Christ, who worked miracles in His own name, the apostles took great pains to clarify they were merely the instruments of Jesus, emphasizing their need for humility.
• Peter focuses on the ignorance of the Jews as a secondary cause, yet maintains their moral culpability.

• The phrase 'times of restitution of all things' (v. 21) is historically debated. Some see it as referring to the Messianic Kingdom on earth, while others interpret it as the final renewal of all things at the end of the age.