Bible Commentaries
Acts 3

Verse 1

Acts 3:1

Went up together -- Peter and John seem to have had a close friendship, and were a part of Jesus’ inner circle. They had also been partners in the fishing business on the Sea of Galilee Luke 5:10.

Into the temple -- These early Jewish Christians still continued to observe many of the rites of Jewish worship. This is also a good time and place to reach out to many people with the gospel.

Hour of prayer -- Psalms 55:17; Daniel 6:10

Ninth hour -- 3:00 p.m. in the afternoon. A time when many devout Jews would be gathered for prayer and the evening sacrifice. [The length of an "hour" varied according to the season.]

Verse 2

Acts 3:2

Lame from his mother’s womb -- He had been lame all his life, over forty years, and undoubtedly well known and recognized in the city.

Gate -- Beautiful -- It is believed this was the main eastern gate which faced the Gethsemane and the Mount of Olives.

Carried -- His handicap was so severe that he had to be "carried" to his place of begging. Some think the tense indicates he was now in the process of being carried and placed at his usual spot and he sees Peter and John. He may have even recognized them and knew them to be sympathetic.

Asked for alms -- This was his livelihood.

Verse 3

Acts 3:3

Seeing Peter and John -- He looks toward the two entering, and the next verse shows the two looking back at him steadfastly.

Asked an alms -- His routine plea. Making eye-contact gave him his opportunity. Likely those going to worship would tend to be grateful to God for their blessings and more sympathetic to this ailing man.

Verse 4

Acts 3:4

Look on us -- Peter and John ask for his direct attention. Sitting in this place the man had heard and observed much and may have recognized them as disciples of Jesus and come to faith in Jesus himself Acts 3:16 though we are not told of his faith.

Verse 5

Acts 3:5

Expecting to received -- He asked for alms, that is what he expected to receive.

When we ask of God shouldn’t we believe we will receive of Him even greater than what we ask, Matthew 6:8; Ephesians 3:20.

Verse 6

Acts 3:6

Silver and gold -- How different is Peter’s claim from wealthy charlatans today who travel around the country with their "healing" crusades!

Have I none -- Judas had been the one in the group of the apostles who kept the money bag from whence dispense was made to the poor and needy. John 12:6; John 13:29. These funds probably came from those who supported Jesus’ ministry Luke 8:3; Luke 24:10; and some were wealthy women like Joanna the wife of Chuza who was Herod’s steward.

In the name of -- Did Peter and John perceive the man had faith in Jesus? Acts 3:16; It was the faith of Peter and John in Jesus and in the authority He has given His apostles that enabled them to do this Acts 4:10; Matthew 10:1; Luke 9:1; Luke 10:19.

The apostles’ miracles were done with the authority given them by the Lord Mark 16:17-18; Acts 4:10;

Verse 7

Acts 3:7

Immediately -- Instantly, not over a long period of recovery.

His feet and ankle-bones -- The fact that strength was immediately imparted; that the feet, long lame, were now made strong, was a full and clear proof of miraculous power.

Verse 8

Acts 3:8

Vs. 8 - The healed man’s excitement and joy is clearly seen in this verse. We can see how complete the healing was.

And he, leaping up -- This was a natural expression of joy, and it was a striking fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah 35:6;

Verse 9

Acts 3:9

People saw him -- There were so many who witnessed the effect of the miracle that it could not be refuted Acts 4:16.

Verse 10

Acts 3:10

Filled with wonder and amazement -- The crowd is now ready to listen to Peter. This was the design of the miracle, to provide credentials for the apostle’s message Acts 3:11

Verse 11

Acts 3:11

Held Peter and John -- He seems to cling to them, not letting them get away. Apparently he wants everyone to know the source of his healing.

Solomon’s porch --

Verse 12

Acts 3:12

By our own power -- Peter wants the people to correctly understand what power was responsible for this marvelous deed. It was not their power, but that of the one they had crucified.

Verse 15

Acts 3:15

Prince -- G747 - ἀρχηγός archēgos ar-khay-gos’ a chief leader: - author, captain, prince.

ἀρχηγὸν arche "author" "certain priority, both of time and of standing and prestige." First cause. John 1:1; 1 John 1:1; Colossians 1:18;

We are witnesses -- Not "were" but "are" as the apostles are still giving their testimony to the fact of the resurrection to that crowd. They are still bearing their testimony to us today through the holy scriptures.

Verse 16

Acts 3:16

Through faith in his name -- "It ought to be clear that the faith which Peter is here speaking of is that which he and John have and not faith which the beggar had." (Lenski, p. 138). From events recorded in Luke 7:11-17, Matthew 17:14-21; and John 5:2-13 we see that faith was not a requirement on the part of the recipient of the miracle, but on the part of the one performing it. Acts 3:16.

Verse 18

Acts 3:18

All his prophets -- Peter says by inspiration that "all" the prophets spoke with one "mouth" that the Messiah should suffer, while modern critics try to claim "none" did. Which testimony are you going to believe?

Verse 19

Acts 3:19

Repent -- "turn again, back up"; vs. 19 is parallel to Acts 2:38.

Repent .. be converted .. Sins blotted out ..

Repent .. be baptized .. forgiveness of sins

Times of refreshing -- A happy refreshing of life when delivered from sin through God’s plan and one is restored to fellowship with Him 2 Corinthians 5:17.

Verse 21

Acts 3:21

until . . Peter then deviates slightly in his subject matter, and speaks of the sending of Jesus Christ which refers to His second coming to earth; the same Jesus who was preached (prophesied about) before in the Scriptures. - Zerr

Restitution -- Established; fulfilled; consummated; to fully complete, fulfil. Meaning that the words of the prophet must be fulfilled Luke 24:44 and forgiveness enjoyed.

Act 3:21 21. δέξασθαι. And Peter and the rest could bear witness that He was gone into heaven, His work on earth being finished. - CBSC

cf Matthew 24:30

Verse 22

Acts 3:22

Moses said -- Deuteronomy 18:15 ff Christ is now the law-giver and the mediater of the new covenant as Moses was of the given at Mt. Sinai Hebrews 8:6; Hebrews 9:15; Hebrews 12:24; and we are to hear Him Matthew 17:5.