Acts 3:12-26
On hearing of the cure of the lame man, the curious crowd gathers together. Everyone is full of astonishment and admiration (v. 10). But Peter immediately turns attention from himself and John, in order to attribute the miracle to the power of the name of the Lord Jesus. This deed demonstrated in a very obvious way the life and the power in resurrection of Him whom they had put to death. "Ye denied the Holy One and the Just", the apostle declares to them, not to condemn them but as someone who understands by his own experience the shame of this particular sin (v. 14; Luke 22:57). "I know that through ignorance ye did it", (v. 17) he adds, confirming the word of the Saviour on the cross, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34). Now then! here is another opportunity given to the Jews to hear the Gospel and to repent in response to this prayer of the Lord. They have in their midst the witness of the Holy Spirit speaking through the mouth of Peter and visible in the assembly (Acts 2:44-47). If the nation, recognizing its sin, now turns to God, the Lord will be able to return. If not, it will no longer have the excuse of ignorance.