Acts 3:12

Mace New Testament

which Peter observing, thus addressed them, ye men of Israel, why are ye so surprized at this event? or why do you look so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or piety, we had caus'd this man to walk?

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
When Peter saw this, he said to the people, "My Jewish brothers, why are you surprised at this? You are looking at us as if it was our power that made this man walk. Do you think this was done because we are good?

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
When Peter sawe that he answered vnto the people. Ye men of Israel why marvayle ye at this or why looke ye so stedfastly on vs as though by oure awne power or holynes we had made this man goo?

Hebrew Names Version
When Kefa saw it, he answered to the people, "You men of Yisra'el, 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?

International Standard Version
When Peter saw this, he said to the people: "Fellow Israelites, why are you wondering about this, and why are you staring at us as if by our own power or godliness we made him walk?

New American Standard Bible
But 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?

New Century Version
When Peter saw this, he said to them, "People of Israel, why are you surprised? You are looking at us as if it were our own power or goodness that made this man walk.

Update Bible Version
And when Peter saw it, he answered to the people, You men of Israel, why do you marvel at this man? or why do you fasten your eyes on us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made him to walk?

Webster's Bible Translation
And when Peter saw [it], he answered to the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?

English Standard Version
And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: "Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?

World English Bible
When Peter saw it, he answered 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?

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
And Peter seeing it, answered the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? Or, why do ye fix your eyes on us, as if by our own power or piety, we had made this man to walk?

Weymouth's New Testament
Peter, seeing this, spoke to the people. "Israelites," he said, "why do you wonder at this man? Or why gaze at us, as though by any power or piety of our own we had enabled him to walk?

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And Petre siy, and answeride to the puple, Men of Israel, what wondren ye in this thing? ether what biholden ye vs, as by oure vertue ethir power we maden this man for to walke?

English Revised Version
And 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?

Berean Standard Bible
When Peter saw this, he addressed the people: "Men of Israel, why are you surprised by this? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?

Contemporary English Version
Peter saw that a crowd had gathered, and he said: Friends, why are you surprised at what has happened? Why are you staring at us? Do you think we have some power of our own? Do you think we were able to make this man walk because we are so religious?

Amplified Bible
And Peter, seeing this, said to the people, "You men of Israel, why are you amazed at this? Why are you staring at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?

American Standard Version
And 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?

Bible in Basic English
And when Peter saw it he said to the people, You men of Israel, why are you so greatly surprised at this man? or why are you looking at us as if by our power or virtue we had given him the use of his legs?

Complete Jewish Bible
Seeing this, Kefa addressed the people: "Men of Isra'el! Why are you amazed at this? Or why do you stare at us as if we had made this man walk through some power or godliness of our own?

Darby Translation
And Peter, seeing it, answered the people, Men of Israel, why are ye astonished at this? or why do ye gaze on us as if we had by our own power or piety made him to walk?

Etheridge Translation
And when Shemun saw, he answered and said to them, Men, sons of Israel, why wonder you at this ? or why gaze you at us, as [fn] by power of ours, or by our (own) authority, we had done this, that this (man) should walk ?

Murdock Translation
And when Simon saw [fn] , he answered and said to them: Men, sons of Israel, why do ye wonder at this? or why do ye gaze on us, as if by our own power or authority we had made this man to walk?

King James Version (1611)
And when Peter sawe it, hee answered vnto the people, Yee men of Israel, why marueile ye at this? or why looke yee so earnestly on vs, as though by our owne power or holinesse we had made this man to walke?

New Living Translation
Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd. "People of Israel," he said, "what is so surprising about this? And why stare at us as though we had made this man walk by our own power or godliness?

New Life Bible
When Peter saw this, he said to them, "Jewish men, why are you surprised at this? Why do you look at us as if we had made this man walk by our own power or holy lives?

New Revised Standard
When Peter saw it, he addressed the people, "You Israelites, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk?

Geneva Bible (1587)
So when Peter saw it, he answered vnto the people, Ye me of Israel, why marueile ye at this? or why looke ye so stedfastly on vs, as though by our owne power or godlines, we had made this ma go?

George Lamsa Translation
And when Simon Peter saw it, he said to them, Men of Israel, why are you wondering at this man or why are you looking at us as though by our own power or authority we had made this man to walk?

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And Peter, seeing it, made answer unto the people: - Ye men of Israel! Why marvel ye at this man? Or, upon us, why are ye intently looking, as though, by our own power or godliness, we had made him walk?

Douay-Rheims Bible
But Peter seeing, made answer to the people: Ye men of Israel, why wonder you at this? Or why look you upon us, as if by our strength or power we had made this man to walk?

Revised Standard Version
And when Peter saw it he addressed the people, "Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk?

Bishop's Bible (1568)
And when Peter sawe that, he aunswered vnto the people: Ye men of Israel, why maruayle ye at this, or why loke ye so on vs, as though by our owne power or godlynesse, we had made this man to go?

Good News Translation
When Peter saw the people, he said to them, "Fellow Israelites, why are you surprised at this, and why do you stare at us? Do you think that it was by means of our own power or godliness that we made this man walk?

Christian Standard Bible®
When Peter saw this, he addressed the people: “Fellow Israelites, why are you amazed at this? Why do you stare at us, as though we had made him walk by our own power or godliness?

King James Version
And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?

Lexham English Bible
And when he saw it, Peter replied to the people, "Men and Israelites, why are you astonished at this? Or why are you staring at us, as if by our own power or godliness we have made him walk?

Literal Translation
And seeing this , Peter answered to the people, Men, Israelites, why do you marvel at this one? Or why do you stare at us, as if by our own power or godliness we have made him to walk?

Young's Literal Translation
and Peter having seen, answered unto the people, `Men, Israelites! why wonder ye at this? or on us why look ye so earnestly, as if by our own power or piety we have made him to walk?

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Whan Peter sawe that, he answered vnto the people: Ye men of Israel, why maruayle ye at this, or why loke ye so at vs, as though we by oure awne power or deseruynge, had made this man to walke?

THE MESSAGE
When Peter saw he had a congregation, he addressed the people: "Oh, Israelites, why does this take you by such complete surprise, and why stare at us as if our power or piety made him walk? The God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, the God of our ancestors, has glorified his Son Jesus. The very One that Pilate called innocent, you repudiated. You repudiated the Holy One, the Just One, and asked for a murderer in his place. You no sooner killed the Author of Life than God raised him from the dead—and we're the witnesses. Faith in Jesus' name put this man, whose condition you know so well, on his feet—yes, faith and nothing but faith put this man healed and whole right before your eyes.

New English Translation
When Peter saw this, he declared to the people, "Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this? Why do you stare at us as if we had made this man walk by our own power or piety?

New King James Version
So 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?

Simplified Cowboy Version
Pete took this opportunity and said, "My friends, why are you astonished by this? Do you stare at us because you think we had something to do with it? It was not our power that healed this man, but the power of God.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
But when Peter saw this, he replied to the people, "Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this, or why do you gaze at us, as if by our own power or piety we had made him walk?

Legacy Standard Bible
But when Peter saw this, he replied to the people, "Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this, or why do you gaze at us, as if by our own power or piety we had made him walk?

Contextual Overview

¹² which Peter observing, thus addressed them, ye men of Israel, why are ye so surprized at this event? or why do you look so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or piety, we had caus'd this man to walk? ¹³ the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and renounced in opposition to Pilate, who was determined to let him go. ¹⁴ but ye renounced him that was holy and just; you interceeded for the life of a murderer, ¹⁵ but killed the prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. ¹⁶ it is the faith which we have in him, that has procured strength to this man whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him, hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. ¹⁷ and now, brethren, I know it was through ignorance, that both you and your rulers, have acted thus. ¹⁸ but thus it is that God has accomplished what he had foretold by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer. ¹⁹ repent therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshment shall come from the presence of the Lord, who shall send Jesus Christ, ²⁰ who has been beforehand prepar'd thereto, ²¹ but must reside in heaven, till the time of the restitution of all things, of which God has spoken from the beginning by the mouth of his holy prophets.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Ye men: Acts 2:22, Acts 13:26, Romans 9:4, Romans 11:1

or: Acts 10:25, Acts 10:26, Acts 14:11-15, Genesis 40:8, Genesis 41:16, Daniel 2:28-30, John 3:27, John 3:28, John 7:18

as: 2 Corinthians 3:5

Reciprocal: Numbers 20:10 - we fetch 2 Kings 2:14 - smote Daniel 2:30 - this secret Mark 12:11 - General Mark 16:18 - they shall lay Luke 4:20 - And the John 1:16 - of his John 5:28 - Marvel John 11:43 - Lazarus Acts 1:11 - why Acts 3:4 - Look Acts 9:34 - Jesus Christ Acts 13:16 - Men Acts 14:15 - We also 2 Corinthians 4:5 - we Galatians 2:8 - he 1 John 3:13 - Marvel not Revelation 19:10 - for the

Cross-References

Luke 10:29
but he being desirous to clear himself, said to Jesus, but what is meant by our neighbour?

Romans 10:3
because being ignorant of the justice which is of God, and going about to establish a justification of their own, they have not submitted themselves to that which is of God.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And when Peter saw it,.... That the people ran to them, and looked wistly upon them, and wondered at what was done:

he answered unto the people, ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? either at this man, who was cured of his lameness, or at the cure itself:

or why look ye so earnestly on us; suggesting, that they ought to look to God, and observe his divine power, and to the Lord Jesus Christ, whom they had crucified, whose apostles they were, and in whose name, and by whose power they had wrought this miracle; which shows that they were not self-seeking and vain glorious men, but discovers great sincerity and integrity, much love to Christ, and great regard to his honour, and to the glory of God:

as though by our own power and holiness we had made this man to walk? as if it was any natural power of theirs; or for any merit of theirs, because of their strict religion and piety; or "laudable conversation", as the Arabic version; because they were mightier in themselves and holier than others, that they had such a faculty of curing lame persons; all which they utterly reject, and place it to a right account in the next verse. Instead of "holiness", the Syriac version reads "authority"; and to the same, or like sense, the Vulgate Latin, which seems most agreeable.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

When Peter saw it - Saw the people assembling in such multitudes and wondering at the miracle.

He answered - The word “answer,” with us, implies that a question had been asked, or that some subject had been proposed for consideration. But the word is used in a different sense in the Bible. It is often used when no question was asked, but when an occasion was offered for remarks, or when an opportunity was presented to make a statement. It is the same as replying to a thing, or making a statement in regard to some subject, Daniel 2:26; Acts 5:8.

Ye men of Israel - Jews. Compare Acts 2:14.

Why marvel ye at this? - The particular thing which he intended to reprove here was not that they wondered, for that was proper; but that they looked on himself and John as if they had been the authors of this healing. They ought to have understood it. The Jews were sufficiently acquainted with miracles to interpret them and to know whence they proceeded; and they ought not, therefore, to ascribe them to man, but to inquire why they had been performed by God.

Why look ye ... - Why do ye fix the eyes with amazement on us, as though we could do this? Why not look at once to God?

By our own power - By any art of healing or by any medicine we had done this.

Or holiness - Piety. As if God had bestowed this on us on account of our personal and eminent piety. It may be remarked that here was ample opportunity for them to establish a reputation of their own. The people were disposed to pay them honor; they might at once have laid claim to vast authority over them; but they refused all such personal honor, and ascribed all to the Lord Jesus. Whatever success may attend the ministers of the gospel, or however much the world may be disposed to do them honor, they should disclaim all power in themselves, and ascribe it to the Lord Jesus Christ. It is not by the talents or personal holiness of ministers, valuable as these are, that people are saved; it is only by the power of God, designed to honor his Son. See 2 Corinthians 3:5-6.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Acts 3:12. As though by our own power — δυναμει, Miraculous energy.

Or holiness — Η ευσεβεια, Meaning religious attachment to the worship of God. Do not think that we have wrought this miracle by any power of our own; or that any supereminent piety in us should have induced God thus to honour us, by enabling us to work it. Instead of ευσεβεια, holiness, the Syriac of Erpen, Armenian, Vulgate, and some copies of the Itala, have εξουσια, power or authority; but the first appears to be the legitimate reading.