Acts3
World English Bible · Public Domain
1Peter and John were going up into the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.
2A certain man who was lame from his mother’s womb was being carried, whom they laid daily at the door of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask gifts for the needy of those who entered into the temple.
3Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive gifts for the needy.
4Peter, fastening his eyes on him, with John, said, “Look at us.”
5He listened to them, expecting to receive something from them.
6But Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I have, that I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!”
7He took him by the right hand and raised him up. Immediately his feet and his ankle bones received strength.
8Leaping up, he stood and began to walk. He entered with them into the temple, walking, leaping, and praising God.
9All the people saw him walking and praising God.
10They recognized him, that it was he who used to sit begging for gifts for the needy at the Beautiful Gate of the temple. They were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
11As the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering.
12When Peter saw it, he responded to the people, “You men of Israel, why do you marvel at this man? Why do you fasten your eyes on 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, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had determined to release him.
14But you denied the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,
15and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, to which we are witnesses.
16By faith in his name, his name has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which is through him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
17“Now, brothers, I know that you did this in ignorance, as did also your rulers.
18But the things which God announced by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he thus fulfilled.
19“Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, so that there may come times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord,
20and that he may send Christ Jesus, who was ordained for you before,
21whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God spoke long ago by the mouth of his holy prophets.
22For Moses indeed said to the fathers, ‘The Lord God will raise up a prophet for you from among your brothers, like me. You shall listen to him in all things whatever he says to you.
23It will be that every soul that will not listen to that prophet will be utterly destroyed from among the people.’
24Yes, and all the prophets from Samuel and those who followed after, as many as have spoken, also told of these days.
25You are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘All the families of the earth will be blessed through your offspring.’
26God, having raised up his servant Jesus, sent him to you first to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your wickedness.”
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