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Acts3

American Standard Version · Public Domain

1Now Peter and John were going up into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

2And a certain man that was lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the door of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

3who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked to receive an alms.

4And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him, with John, said, Look on us.

5And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something from them.

6But Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but what I have, that give I thee. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.

7And he took him by the right hand, and raised him up: and immediately his feet and his ankle-bones received strength.

8And leaping up, he stood, and began to walk; and he entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

9And all the people saw him walking and praising God:

10and they took knowledge of him, that it was he that sat for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.

11And as he held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering.

12And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this man? or why fasten ye your eyes on us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made him to walk?

13The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Servant Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied before the face of Pilate, when he had determined to release him.

14But ye denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted unto you,

15and killed the Prince of life; whom God raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.

16And by faith in his name hath his name made this man strong, whom ye behold and know: yea, the faith which is through him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

17And now, brethren, I know that in ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.

18But the things which God foreshowed by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ should suffer, he thus fulfilled.

19Repent ye therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that so there may come seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord;

20and that he may send the Christ who hath been appointed for you, even Jesus:

21whom the heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, whereof God spake by the mouth of his holy prophets that have been from of old.

22Moses indeed said, A prophet shall the Lord God raise up unto you from among your brethren, like unto me; to him shall ye hearken in all things whatsoever he shall speak unto you.

23And it shall be, that every soul that shall not hearken to that prophet, shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.

24Yea and all the prophets from Samuel and them that followed after, as many as have spoken, they also told of these days.

25Ye are the sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.

26Unto you first God, having raised up his Servant, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Acts 3.

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Chapter Summary

In this chapter: A lame man healed by Peter and John. (1–11). Peter's address to the Jews. (12–26).

vv1-11

The apostles and the first believers attended the temple worship at the hours of prayer. Peter and John seem to have been led by a Divine direction, to work a miracle on a man above forty years old, who had been a cripple from his birth. Peter, in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, bade him rise up and walk. Thus, if we would attempt to good purpose the healing of men's souls, we must go forth in the name and power of Jesus Christ, calling on helpless sinners to arise and walk in the way of holiness, by faith in Him. How sweet the thought to our souls, that in respect to all the crippled faculties of our fallen nature, the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth can make us whole! With what holy joy and rapture shall we tread the holy courts, when God the Spirit causes us to enter therein by his strength!

vv12-18

Observe the difference in the manner of working the miracles. Our Lord always spoke as having Almighty power, never hesitated to receive the greatest honour that was given to him on account of his Divine miracles. But the apostles referred all to their Lord, and refused to receive any honour, except as his undeserving instruments. This shows that Jesus was one with the Father, and co-equal with Him; while the apostles knew that they were weak, sinful men, and dependent for every thing on Jesus, whose power effected the cure. Useful men must be very humble. Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but to thy name, give glory. Every crown must be cast at the feet of Christ. The apostle showed the Jews the greatness of their crime, but would not anger or drive them to despair. Assuredly, those who reject, refuse, or deny Christ, do it through ignorance; but this can in no case be an excuse.

vv19-21

The absolute necessity of repentance is to be solemnly charged upon the consciences of all who desire that their sins may be blotted out, and that they may share in the refreshment which nothing but a sense of Christ's pardoning love can afford. Blessed are those who have felt this. It was not needful for the Holy Spirit to make known the times and seasons of these dispensations. These subjects are still left obscure. But when sinners are convinced of their sins, they will cry to the Lord for pardon; and to the penitent, converted, and believing, times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord. In a state of trial and probation, the glorified Redeemer will be out of sight, because we must live by faith in him.

Cross References

Acts 3

Directly quoted by Peter here to prove Jesus is the prophesied Prophet like Moses.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB

v25Genesis 12:3quotation

Directly quoted to show the covenant promise of blessing in Abraham's seed is fulfilled in Christ.

Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin, JFB

v8Isaiah 35:6fulfillment

Prophetic fulfillment of the lame leaping as an hart, physically demonstrating messianic restoration.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin

v22Acts 7:37thematic

Stephen's later sermon appeals to this identical Mosaic prophecy of Deut 18:15.

Supported by John Calvin

v23Deuteronomy 18:19quotation

Quoted by Peter warning of divine judgment on those refusing to hear the Prophet.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB

v1Daniel 9:21thematic

Identifies the ninth hour as the evening sacrifice/prayer time, mirroring Daniel's prayer.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin

v6Acts 4:10thematic

Explicit sequel where Peter confirms the miracle was done solely by the Name of Jesus.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v17Luke 23:34thematic

Echoes Christ's prayer for forgiveness of those crucifying Him because of their ignorance.

Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB

v17Acts 13:27thematic

Paul likewise attributes the execution of Jesus to the rulers' ignorance of the prophets.

Supported by JFB

v18Luke 24:44thematic

Echoes Jesus' teaching that all prophets and scriptures foretold Christ's suffering and resurrection.

Supported by John Calvin, JFB

v6Acts 3:16thematic

Self-referential parallel highlighting that faith in Jesus' name produced the perfect soundness.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v12Daniel 2:28-30thematic

Parallels Daniel disclaiming personal wisdom, just as Peter disclaims personal power or holiness.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v13Exodus 3:6thematic

Identifies God by His covenant title to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to address Jewish listeners.

Supported by John Calvin

v26Matthew 1:21thematic

Connects Jesus' mission of turning people from iniquities to saving them from their sins.

Supported by Matthew Henry