Acts 3 - ESV - Bible Reading / Study Notes

Acts 3

The Lame Beggar Healed

3:1 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.¹ 2 And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. 3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. 4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Peter Speaks in Solomon’s Portico

11 While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s. 12 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? 13 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant² Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. 14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16 And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus³ has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.

17 “And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18 But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. 19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, 21 whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. 22 Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. 23 And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’ 24 And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. 25 You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’ 26 God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.”

Footnotes

[1] 3:1 That is, 3 p.m.
[2] 3:13 Or child; also verse 26
[3] 3:16 Greek him

Commentary

The early chapters of Acts show the kingdom of God being opened up to new categories of people, in contrast to the narrow Jewish faith of the day. Here a lame man is healed and joins rhe company. Later, Samaritans and Gentiles join. And, in 6.7, ironically, even priests!

v1: The healing of the lame man, perhaps also on the day of Pentecost.

v2: The man is laid by the temple every day; doubtless Peter and John know of him. But, now they have the power of the Holy Spirit, they can offer help. As in the gospel accounts, the need is both serious and unmistakable; since many see this man every day, his healing cannot be denied.

v3-5: The man expects money, for that is why he is left at the temple. But Peter and John bring him much more.

v6: Peter has nothing except Jesus Christ, and it is through Him that there is power to heal.

v7: The man receives strength; here is God at work, giving strength at the right time; similarly, in 4.8, Peter is filled with the Holy Spirit at the right time. The 'right hand' also indicates welcome and identification. Peter accepted this man as no longer unclean, and part of the new community of the Church.

v8: The healing is total and immediate; the man leaps and walks. The faith is in Peter and John, not in the man, see v16. Even so the man shows his gratitude to God.

v9-10: All the people see, and know; they cannot deny the miracle, and they are filled with wonder and amazement.

v11: Many see the lame man, now healed. This gives Peter and John an opportunity for the gospel. See also 14.5-18, where such opportunity is lost.

v12: Peter responds to the people, answering their unspoken questions. First, he insists that it is not his, or John's, "power or godliness" that brings healing.

v13-15: Peter links with God of the Jews, of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, with Jesus Christ. This is a key barrier in the culture, as Jesus also found. Peter therefore uses the healing of the beggar to address the issue.

The Jews are responsible for Jesus' death; "you handed Him over to be killed ... disowned... asked that a murderer be released ... killed the author of life." Yet "God raised Him," bringing in the central truth of the resurrection. This was witnesses by man, as in 2.32; 4.10.

v16: "Compete healing," or 'perfect soundness,' for Jesus Christ does His work well. This healing is in their presence, in public. There is no escape from the facts, and therefore Peter demands a response.

v17: Peter allows the Jews to plead "ignorance," giving an opportunity for repentance.

v18: God has fulfilled His promise in sending Jesus to die.

v19: Forgiveness through repentance; Heb 10.17, He will blot out our sins; this is today's opportunity.

Peter speaks of times; in God's hands; 1.7; 2.25; Gal 4.4; 1 Pet 1.20; all times are appointed by God, 17.31; Ps 110.3. In particular, for the Jewish people, there is the promise of refreshing, like coolness after heat, strength after exhaustion, Ps 68.9.

v20: See John 14.21-23; by obedience, we experience the presence of Jesus in an extra way on our lives.

v21: Peter is speaking especially of Israel, and God's promises to His people. He speaks of restoration, as in 1.6.

At the same time, the day of opportunity for the nation is drawing to a close, as they reject Christ and His message.

v22-23: The challenge to accept Christ, the prophet foretold by Moses, and the seriousness of rejection.

v24: Jesus' life is found throughout the OT, foretold by all the prophets. Although each one addressed the issues of the day, each one also speaks of the Messiah to come. Peter’s words here link the long prophetic tradition of the Jewish people with the newly-formed church. Paul later uses the phrase ‘according to the scriptures,’ which is consistent with this understanding.

v25: The blessing promised to Abraham comes through Christ, and all peoples will be blessed.

v26: God sent Jesus first to the Jews, that they might find the promised blessings.