Acts 3NKJV
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Acts3

New King James Version

1Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.

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

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

4And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.”

5So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.

6Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”

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

8So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God.

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

10Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

11Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon’s, greatly amazed.

12So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: “Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?

13The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go.

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

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

16And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

17“Yet now, brethren, I know that you did it in ignorance, as did also your rulers.

18But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled.

19Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,

20and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before,

21whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.

22For Moses truly said to the fathers, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you.

23And it shall be that every soul who will not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.’

24Yes, and all the prophets, from Samuel and those who follow, as many as have spoken, have also foretold these days.

25You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’

26To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, 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