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Contemporary English Version

Acts 3:1

The time of prayer was about three o'clock in the afternoon, and Peter and John were going into the temple.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Daily Offering;   John;   Miracles;   Prayer;   Temple;   Scofield Reference Index - Miracles;   Thompson Chain Reference - Attendance;   Fall;   Hour;   House of God;   John, Beloved Disciple;   Peter;   Sabbath;   Sanctuary;   Simon Peter;   Temple;   Worship;   Worship, True and False;   The Topic Concordance - Healing;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Daily Sacrifice, the;   Prayer, Public;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Hours;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Day;   Healing;   John the apostle;   Law;   Peter;   Temple;   Worship;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Church, the;   Priest, Christ as;   Sermon on the Mount;   Touch;   Easton Bible Dictionary - John;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Day;   Hour;   John the Apostle;   Prayer;   Synagogue;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Acts;   John;   Philippians;   Servant of the Lord, the;   Temple of Jerusalem;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Mark, Gospel According to;   Prayer;   Thessalonians, Second Epistle to the;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Altar;   Christian Life;   Day;   Essenes;   James and John, the Sons of Zebedee;   Jerusalem;   Law;   Organization (2);   Passover;   Peter;   Prayer;   Temple;   Temple (2);   Time;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Hour;   Night;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Hour;   John the Apostle;   Prayer;   Synagogue;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Day;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Church;   Gate, East;   Hours of Prayer;   John, the Apostle;   Prayer;   Spiritual Gifts;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Night;  

Parallel Translations

Simplified Cowboy Version
Pete and John showed up at the main church one day for the three o'clock prayer.
Legacy Standard Bible
Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer.
Bible in Basic English
Now Peter and John were going up to the Temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer;
Darby Translation
And Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, [which is] the ninth [hour];
New King James Version
Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.
Christian Standard Bible®
Now Peter and John were going up together to the temple complex at the hour of prayer at three in the afternoon.
World English Bible
Peter and John were going up into the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Now Peter and John went up together into the temple, at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.
Weymouth's New Testament
One day Peter and John were going up to the Temple for the hour of prayer--the ninth hour--and, just then,
King James Version (1611)
Nowe Peter and Iohn went vp together into the Temple at the houre of prayer, beeing the ninth houre.
Literal Translation
And Peter and John were going up on the same day into the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Peter and Ihon wente vp together in to the temple aboute the nyenth houre to praye.
Mace New Testament (1729)
One day as Peter and John were going together to the temple, at the ninth hour, which was the hour of prayer,
THE MESSAGE
One day at three o'clock in the afternoon, Peter and John were on their way into the Temple for prayer meeting. At the same time there was a man crippled from birth being carried up. Every day he was set down at the Temple gate, the one named Beautiful, to beg from those going into the Temple. When he saw Peter and John about to enter the Temple, he asked for a handout. Peter, with John at his side, looked him straight in the eye and said, "Look here." He looked up, expecting to get something from them.
Amplified Bible
Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour (3:00 p.m.),
American Standard Version
Now Peter and John were going up into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.
Revised Standard Version
Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Peter and Iohn went up togedder into the teple at the nynthe houre of prayer.
Update Bible Version
Now Peter and John were going up into the temple at the hour of prayer, [being] the ninth [hour].
Webster's Bible Translation
Now Peter and John went up together into the temple, at the hour of prayer, [being] the ninth [hour].
Young's Literal Translation
And Peter and John were going up at the same time to the temple, at the hour of the prayer, the ninth [hour],
New Century Version
One day Peter and John went to the Temple at three o'clock, the time set each day for the afternoon prayer service.
New English Translation
Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time for prayer, at three o'clock in the afternoon.
Berean Standard Bible
One afternoon Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.
Complete Jewish Bible
One afternoon at three o'clock, the hour of minchah prayers, as Kefa and Yochanan were going up to the Temple,
English Standard Version
Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Nowe Peter and Iohn went vp together into the Temple, at the ninth houre of prayer.
George Lamsa Translation
IT came to pass as Simon Peter and John were going up together to the temple at the time of prayer, at the ninth hour, *
Hebrew Names Version
Kefa and Yochanan were going up into the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.
International Standard Version
Peter and John were going up to the temple for the hour of prayer at three in the afternoon.at the ninth hour
">[fn]Psalm 55:17; Acts 2:46;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
AND it was that as Shemun Kipha and Juhanon ascended together to the temple at the time of prayer, which is the ninth hour,
Murdock Translation
And it occurred, as Simon Cephas and John went together up to the temple, at the time of prayer, being the ninth hour,
New Living Translation
Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o'clock prayer service.
New Life Bible
Peter and John were going to the house of God about three o'clock. It was the time for prayer.
English Revised Version
Now Peter and John were going up into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.
New Revised Standard
One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, at three o'clock in the afternoon.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Now, Peter and John, were going up into the temple, for the hour of prayer - the ninth;
Douay-Rheims Bible
Now Peter and John went up into the temple at the ninth hour of prayer.
King James Version
Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.
Lexham English Bible
Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Nowe Peter and Iohn went vp together into the temple at the nynth houre of prayer.
Easy-to-Read Version
One day Peter and John went to the Temple area. It was three o'clock in the afternoon, which was the time for the daily Temple prayer service.
New American Standard Bible
Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer.
Good News Translation
One day Peter and John went to the Temple at three o'clock in the afternoon, the hour for prayer.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And Petre and Joon wenten vp in to the temple, at the nynthe our of preiyng.

Contextual Overview

1 The time of prayer was about three o'clock in the afternoon, and Peter and John were going into the temple. 2 A man who had been born lame was being carried to the temple door. Each day he was placed beside this door, known as the Beautiful Gate. He sat there and begged from the people who were going in. 3 The man saw Peter and John entering the temple, and he asked them for money. 4 But they looked straight at him and said, "Look up at us!" 5 The man stared at them and thought he was going to get something. 6 But Peter said, "I don't have any silver or gold! But I will give you what I do have. In the name of Jesus Christ from Nazareth, get up and start walking." 7 Peter then took him by the right hand and helped him up. At once the man's feet and ankles became strong, 8 and he jumped up and started walking. He went with Peter and John into the temple, walking and jumping and praising God. 9 Everyone saw him walking around and praising God. 10 They knew that he was the beggar who had been lying beside the Beautiful Gate, and they were completely surprised. They could not imagine what had happened to the man.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Peter: Acts 4:13, Acts 8:14, Matthew 17:1, Matthew 26:37, John 13:23-25, John 20:2-9, John 21:7, John 21:18-22, Galatians 2:9

went: Acts 2:46, Acts 5:25, Luke 24:53

the hour: Acts 10:3, Acts 10:30, Exodus 29:39, Numbers 28:4, 1 Kings 18:36, Psalms 55:17, Daniel 6:10, Daniel 9:21, Luke 1:10, Luke 23:44-46

Reciprocal: Ezra 9:4 - until Psalms 141:2 - the evening Matthew 10:2 - John Matthew 20:5 - sixth Matthew 21:14 - General Luke 18:10 - into Acts 1:13 - Peter Acts 5:42 - daily

Cross-References

Genesis 3:13
The Lord God then asked the woman, "What have you done?" "The snake tricked me," she answered. "And I ate some of that fruit."
Genesis 3:15
You and this woman will hate each other; your descendants and hers will always be enemies. One of hers will strike you on the head, and you will strike him on the heel."
Ecclesiastes 4:10
If you fall, your friend can help you up. But if you fall without having a friend nearby, you are really in trouble.
Isaiah 27:1
On that day, Leviathan, the sea monster, will squirm and try to escape, but the Lord will kill him with a cruel, sharp sword.
Matthew 4:3
Then the devil came to him and said, "If you are God's Son, tell these stones to turn into bread."
Matthew 4:6
The devil said, "If you are God's Son, jump off. The Scriptures say: ‘God will give his angels orders about you. They will catch you in their arms, and you won't hurt your feet on the stones.'"
Matthew 4:9
The devil said to him, "I will give all this to you, if you will bow down and worship me."
Matthew 10:16
I am sending you like lambs into a pack of wolves. So be as wise as snakes and as innocent as doves.
2 Corinthians 11:14
And it is no wonder. Even Satan tries to make himself look like an angel of light.
1 Peter 3:7
If you are a husband, you should be thoughtful of your wife. Treat her with honor, because she isn't as strong as you are, and she shares with you in the gift of life. Then nothing will stand in the way of your prayers.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Now Peter and John went up together into the temple,.... These two disciples were intimate companions, and great lovers of each other; they were often together: they are thought, by some, to have been together in the high priest's palace at the trial of Christ; and they ran together to his sepulchre, John 18:15 and they now went together to the temple, not to attend the daily sacrifice, which was now abolished by the sacrifice of Christ, but to attend to the duty of prayer, which was still in force, and that they might have an opportunity of preaching Christ, where there was a number of people together:

at the hour of prayer; being the ninth hour, or three o'clock in the afternoon. This was one of their hours of prayer; it was customary with the Jews to pray three times a day, Daniel 6:10 which, according to the Psalmist in Psalms 55:17 were evening, morning, and at noon; to which seems to answer the three times that are taken notice of by Luke in this history: that in the morning was at the third hour, as in Acts 2:15 or nine o'clock in the morning; that at noon was at the sixth hour, as in Acts 10:9 or twelve o'clock at noon; and that in the evening at the ninth hour, as here, or three o'clock in the afternoon. Not that these were times of divine appointment. The Jews o themselves say,

"there is no number of prayers from the law, and there is no repetition of this or that prayer from the law, and there is no זמן קבוע, "fixed time" for prayer from the law.''

But according to the traditions of the elders,

"the morning prayer was to the end of the fourth hour, which is the third part of the day--the prayer of the "Minchah", (or evening prayer,) they fixed the time of it to answer to the evening daily sacrifice; and because the daily sacrifice was offered up every day from the ninth hour and a half, they ordered the time of it to be from the ninth hour and a half, and it is called the lesser "Minchah"; and because in the evening of the passover, which falls upon the evening of the sabbath, they slay the daily sacrifice at the sixth hour and a half, they say, that he that prays after the sixth hour and a half is excused; and after this time is come, the time to which he is obliged is come, and this is called the great "Minchah"---lo, you learn, that the time of the great "Minchah" is from the sixth hour and a half, to the ninth hour and a half; and the time of the lesser "Minchah" is from the ninth hour and a half, until there remains of the day an hour and a quarter; and it is lawful to pray it until the sun sets.''

So that it was at the time of the lesser "Minchah" that Peter and John went up to the temple; which seems to be not on the same day of Pentecost, but on some day, or days after; it may be the sabbath following, when there was a great number of people got together.

o Maimon. Hilch. Tephilla, c. 1. sect. 1. Ib. c. 3. sect. 1, 2, 4. Vid. T. Bab. Beracot, fol. 26. 2.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Peter and John went up ... - In Luke 24:53, it is said that the apostles were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. From Acts 2:46, it is clear that all the disciples were accustomed daily to resort to the temple for devotion. Whether they joined in the sacrifices of the temple-service is not said; but the thing is not improbable. This was the place and the manner in which they and their fathers had worshipped. They came slowly to the conclusion that they were to leave the temple, and they would naturally resort there with their countrymen to worship the God of their fathers. In the previous chapter Acts 2:43 we are told in general that many wonders and signs were done by the hands of the apostles. From the many miracles which were performed, Luke selects one of which he gives a more full account, and especially as it gives him occasion to record another of the addresses of Peter to the Jews. An impostor would have been satisfied with the general statement that many miracles were performed. The sacred writers descend to particulars, and tell us where, and in relation to whom, they were performed. This is a proof that they were honest people, and did not intend to deceive.

Into the temple - Not into the edifice properly called the temple, but into the court of the temple, where prayer was accustomed to be made. See the notes on Matthew 21:12.

At the hour of prayer ... - The Jewish day was divided into twelve equal parts; of course, the ninth hour would be about three o’clock p. m. This was the hour of evening prayer. Morning prayer was offered at nine o’clock. Compare Psalms 55:17; Daniel 6:10.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

CHAPTER III.

Peter and John go to the temple at the hour of prayer, and heal

a man who had been lame from his mother's womb, 1-8.

The people are astonished, and the apostles inform them that it

was not by their own power they had healed the man, but through

the power of Jesus of Nazareth, whom they had crucified, 9-16.

Peter both excuses and reproves them, and exhorts them to

repentance, 17-21.

Shows that in Jesus Christ the prophecy of Moses was fulfilled;

and that all the prophets testified of Jesus and his salvation,

22-24;

and that, in him, the covenant made with Abraham is fulfilled;

and that Christ came to bless them by turning them away from

their iniquities, 25, 26.

NOTES ON CHAP. III.

Verse Acts 3:1. Peter and John went up together — The words επιτοαυτο, which we translate together, and which are the first words in this chapter in the Greek text, we have already seen, Acts 2:47, are added by several MSS. and versions to the last verse of the preceding chapter. But they do not make so good a sense there as they do here; and should be translated, not together, which really makes no sense here, but at that time; intimating that this transaction occurred nearly about the same time that those took place which are mentioned at the close of the former chapter.

At the hour of prayer — This, as is immediately added, was the ninth hour, which answers, in a general way, to our three o'clock in the afternoon. The third hour, which was the other grand time of public prayer among the Jews, answered, in a general way, to our nine in the morning. Acts 2:15.

It appears that there were three hours of the day destined by the Jews to public prayer; perhaps they are referred to by David, Psalms 55:17: EVENING and MORNING, and at NOON, will I pray and cry aloud. There are three distinct times marked in the book of the Acts. The THIRD hour, Acts 2:15, answering, as we have already seen, to nearly our nine o'clock in the morning; the SIXTH hour, Acts 10:9, answering to about twelve with us; and the NINTH hour, mentioned in this verse, and answering to our three in the afternoon.

The rabbins believed that Abraham instituted the time of morning prayer; Isaac, that at noon; and Jacob, that of the evening: for which they quote several scriptures, which have little reference to the subject in behalf of which they are produced. Others of the rabbins, particularly Tanchum, made a more natural division. Men should pray,

1. When the sun rises;

2. when the sun has gained the meridian;

3. when the sun has set, or passed just under the horizon.

At each of these three times they required men to offer prayer to God; and I should be glad to know that every Christian in the universe observed the same rule: it is the most natural division of the day; and he who conscientiously observes these three stated times of prayer will infallibly grow in grace, and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord.


 
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