Acts3
New American Standard
1Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer.
2And a man who had been unable to walk from birth was being carried, whom they used to set down every day at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, in order for him to beg for charitable gifts from those entering the temple grounds.
3When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple grounds, he began asking to receive a charitable gift.
4But Peter, along with John, looked at him intently and said, “Look at us!”
5And he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.
6But Peter said, “I do not have silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, walk!”
7And grasping him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened.
8And leaping up, he stood and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.
9And all the people saw him walking and praising God;
10and they recognized him as being the very one who used to sit at the Beautiful Gate of the temple to beg for charitable gifts, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
11While he was clinging to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them at the portico named Solomon’s, completely astonished.
12But when Peter saw this, he replied to the people, “Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this, or why are you staring at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made him walk?
13The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His Servant Jesus, the one whom you handed over and disowned in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release Him.
14But you disowned the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,
15but put to death the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses.
16And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all.
17“And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, just as your rulers also did.
18But the things which God previously announced by the mouths of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He has fulfilled in this way.
19Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;
20and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you,
21whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things, about which God spoke by the mouths of His holy prophets from ancient times.
22Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your countrymen; to Him you shall listen regarding everything He says to you.
23And it shall be that every soul that does not listen to that prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.’
24And likewise, all the prophets who have spoken from Samuel and his successors onward, have also announced these days.
25It is you who are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God ordained with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’
26God raised up His Servant for you first, and sent Him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways.”
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Acts 3.
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.
Key Words
δέ (dé): but, and, etc.
Πέτρος (Pétros): a (piece of) rock (larger than G3037 (λίθος)); as a name, Petrus, an apostle
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Ἰωάννης (Iōánnēs): Joannes (i.e. Jochanan), the name of four Israelites
ἀναβαίνω (anabaínō): to go up (literally or figuratively)
εἰς (eis): to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
ἱερόν (hierón): a sacred place, i.e. the entire precincts (whereas G3485 (ναός) denotes the central sanctuary itself) of the Temple (at Jerusalem or elsewhere)
ὥρα (hṓra): an "hour" (literally or figuratively)
προσευχή (proseuchḗ): prayer (worship); by implication, an oratory (chapel)
ἔννατος (énnatos): ninth
Cross References
Acts 3Directly quoted by Peter here to prove Jesus is the prophesied Prophet like Moses.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Directly quoted to show the covenant promise of blessing in Abraham's seed is fulfilled in Christ.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin, JFB
Prophetic fulfillment of the lame leaping as an hart, physically demonstrating messianic restoration.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Stephen's later sermon appeals to this identical Mosaic prophecy of Deut 18:15.
Supported by John Calvin
Quoted by Peter warning of divine judgment on those refusing to hear the Prophet.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Identifies the ninth hour as the evening sacrifice/prayer time, mirroring Daniel's prayer.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Explicit sequel where Peter confirms the miracle was done solely by the Name of Jesus.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Echoes Christ's prayer for forgiveness of those crucifying Him because of their ignorance.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Paul likewise attributes the execution of Jesus to the rulers' ignorance of the prophets.
Supported by JFB
Echoes Jesus' teaching that all prophets and scriptures foretold Christ's suffering and resurrection.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Self-referential parallel highlighting that faith in Jesus' name produced the perfect soundness.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallels Daniel disclaiming personal wisdom, just as Peter disclaims personal power or holiness.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Identifies God by His covenant title to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to address Jewish listeners.
Supported by John Calvin
Connects Jesus' mission of turning people from iniquities to saving them from their sins.
Supported by Matthew Henry