Bible Commentaries
Acts 3

Verse 1

Peter and John. Mentioned together seven times in Acts, John always in subordination to Peter.

went = were going.

temple. See Acts 2:46 .

at = upon. App-104 .

prayer. App-134 .

the ninth hour. About 3pm. See App-165 . Compare Luke 1:9 , Luke 1:10 .

Verse 2

certain. App-123 .

man. App-123 .

lame = being (Greek. huparcho . See note on Luke 9:48 ) lame.

from. Greek. ek. App-104 .

at = townrds. App-104 .

Beautiful. Probably the East gate, which, Josephus says, "was of Corinthian brass and greatly excelled those that were only covered over with silver and gold" ( Wars Acts 5:3 ).

ask. App-134 .

alms. Greek. eleemosune. This was shortened into " aelmesse ", and then into "alms".

of = from. Greek. para. App-104 .

Verse 3

seeing. App-133 .

asked. Greek. erotao. App-134 .

an alms. Literally to receive an alms.

Verse 4

And = But.

fastening his eyes. Greek. atenizo. App-133 .

Look. Greek. blepo. App-133 .

on. Same as "upon".

Verse 5

gave heed. Greek. epecho. Here, Acts 19:22 .Luke 14:7 . Philippians 1:2 , Philippians 1:16 . 1 Timothy 4:16 .

unto = to.

expecting. Gr . prosdokao. App-133 .

Verse 6

have I none = belong not (Gr . ou. App-105 ). Apart from Peter's lack, it was unlawful by Rabbinical ruling to carry a purse into the Temple.

give, &c. = this I give thee.

the name. See Acts 2:38 .

Jesus Christ. App-98 . XL

of Nazareth = the Nazarene. This title occurs seven times in Acts. See Acts 2:22 ; Acts 4:10 ; Acts 6:14 ; Acts 10:38 ; Acts 22:8 ; Acts 26:9 .

rise up. Greek. egeiro. App-178 .

Verse 7

took. Greek. piazo. See note on John 11:57 .

lifted = raised, as in Acts 3:6 .

immediately. Greek. parachrema. Occurs nineteen times, of which ten are in Luke and seven in Acts.

feet. Greek. b as i s, a step, then that with which one steps, &c. Only here.

ankle bones. Greek. sphuron. Only here.

received strength = were strengthened. Greek. stereoo. Only here, Acts 3:16 , and Acts 16:5 .

Verse 8

leaping up. Greek. exallomai. Only here, a strong form of hallomai.

leaping. Greek. hallomai. Only here, Acts 14:10 , and John 4:14 . Compare Isaiah 35:6 .

God. App-98 . This man had never walked before, even a baby takes time to learn how to walk.

Verse 9

people. See Acts 2:47 .

Verse 10

knew. Greek. epiginosko. App-132 .

for. Greek. pros.

amazement. Greek. ekstasis, ecstasy. See note on Mark 5:42 .

Verse 11

the lame . . . healed. The texts read "he".

unto. Greek. p r o s. App-104 .

in. App-104 .

porch, &c. See note on John 10:23 .

greatly wondering. Only here. Compare Mark 11:33 . This miracle was significant of Israel's restoration. Isaiah 35:6 . Compare Matthew 11:5 .

Verse 12

Ye men of Israel. Literally Men, Israelites. See note on Acts 1:11 .

look ye so earnestly. Greek. atenizo, App-133 .

on = to.

power. Greek. dunamis. App-172 .

holiness = godliness. Compare App-137 .

this man = him.

Verse 13

glorified. Greek. doxazo. See note on p. 1511.

Son = Servant. App-108 . Compare Isaiah 42:1 ; Isaiah 49:6 . Matthew 12:18 .

delivered up. Greek. paradidomi. See note on John 19:30 .

denied. Compare John 19:15 .

Him. The texts omit.

when, &c. Literally he having decided (Greek. krino. App-122 .)

let Him go = to release Him. Greek. apoluo. App-174 .

Verse 14

the Holy One. Compare Acts 4:27 , Acts 4:30 . Isaiah 29:23 ; Isaiah 43:3 ; Isaiah 49:7 . Figure of speech Antonomasia. App-6 .

the Just. Greek. dikaios. App-191 . Compare Acts 7:52 ; Acts 22:14 .

desired. Greek. aiteo. App-134 .

a murderer = a man ( App-123 .) a murderer.

to be granted. Greek. charizomai.

Verse 15

Prince. Greek. archegos = leader; one who stands at the head or beginning; arche) of a list, or rank. Here, Acts 5:31 .Hebrews 2:10 ; Hebrews 12:2 .

life. Greek. zoe. App-170 .

from the dead. Greek. ek nekron. App-139 .

witnesses. Greek. martur. See note on Acts 1:8 .

Verse 16

through = upon. Greek. epi. App-104 .

faith. Greek. pistis. App-150 .

in = of.

made . . . strong. See Acts 3:7 .

this man = this one.

see. Greek. theoreo. App-133 .

know. Greek. oida. App-132 .

perfect soundness. Literally wholeness. Greek. holokleria. Only here. Compare 1 Thessalonians 5:23 .Hebrews 2:4 .

in the presence of. . Literally over against. Greek. apenanti. Here, Acts 17:7 . Matthew 21:2 ; Matthew 27:24 , Matthew 27:61 .Romans 3:18 ,

Verse 17

wot = know, as in Acts 3:16 .

through = according to. Greek. kata. App-104 .

did also, &c. = your rulers also (did). Compare Luke 23:34 .

Verse 18

before had shewed = announced before. Here, Acts 3:24 ; Act 7:52 . 2 Corinthians 9:5 . Compare App-121 .

Christ. App-98 . The texts read "His Christ".

hath . . . fulfilled = fulfilled. Greek. pleroo . App-125 . See Acts 1:16 ; Acts 2:2 , Acts 2:28 .

Verse 19

Repent. Greek. metanoeo. App-111 .

be converted = turn ye again (to Me). Jeremiah 3:7 , Jeremiah 3:14 , Jeremiah 3:22 , &c

that, &c. Literally for (Greek. eis. App-104 .) the blotting out.

sins. Greek. hamartia. App-128 .

blotted out = wiped out, the blotting out. Here, Colossians 2:14 .Revelation 3:5 ; Revelation 7:17 ; Revelation 21:4

when = in order that. Greek. hopos. Occurs fifteen times in Acts, and always expresses a purpose. Compare Acts 8:15 , Acts 8:24 ; Acts 9:2 , Acts 9:12 , Acts 9:17 , Acts 9:24 , &c.

the. Omit.

refreshing. Greek. anapsuxis. Only here. Compare 2 Timothy 1:16 .

shall = may.

from. Greek. apo . App-104 .

Verse 20

send. Greek. apostello. App-174 .

Jesus Christ = Christ Jesus. App-98 .

before was preached. Greek. prokerusso. Compare App-121 . Only here, and in Acts 13:24 . But the texts read procheirizomai, to choose or appoint before, as in Acts 22:14 ; Acts 26:16 .

Verse 21

the heaven. No art. See Matthew 6:9 , Matthew 6:10 .

until. Greek. achri.

restitution. Greek. apokatastasis = re-establishment from a state of ruin. Only here.

hath spoken = spoke. Greek. laleo. App-121 .

since the world began. App-151 .

Verse 22

For = Indeed.

Moses. Moses is referred to nineteen times in Acts. See note on Matthew 8:4 .

said. See Deuteronomy 18:15-19 . So Peter claimed Deuteronomy as the work of Moses.

unto the fathers. The texts omit.

A prophet. Compare John 1:21 , John 1:25 .

raise up. Greek. anistemi. App-178 .

of = out of. Greek. ek. App-104 .

like unto = as He raised up me.

in = according to. Greek. kata. App-104 .

say = speak, as in Acts 3:21 . (See App-107 .) The reference is to Deuteronomy 18:15 .

Verse 23

soul. App-110 .

destroyed = utterly destroyed. Greek. exolothreuomai. Only here. Frequently in Septuagint. About eighty times as rendering of karath , cut off. See Genesis 17:14 .Exodus 30:33 ; Exodus 31:14 The quotation is from Deuteronomy 18:18 , Deuteronomy 18:19 . App-107 . Here the Holy Spirit gives the solemn meaning of "I will require it of him", as being destruction from among the people. Compare Malachi 4:1 .

from among. App-104 .

Verse 24

Samuel. Samuel was the first great prophet and spokesman of God after Moses.

those that follow after = those next in order. Greek. kathexes. Only used by Luke, here, Acts 11:4 ; Acts 18:23 .Luke 1:3 ; Luke 8:1 .

have likewise foretold = foretold also. See Acts 3:18 .

Verse 25

the. Omit.

children = sons. Greek. huios. App-108 .

covenant. Greek. diatheke. Compare Luke 1:72 . For this Hebraism, "sons of the covenant", compare Matthew 8:12 ; Matthew 9:15 .Luke 16:8 .

made = covenanted. Greek. diatithemi.

in. Dative case; no preposition.

thy seed. i.e. Christ. See Galatians 1:3 , Galatians 1:16 .

kindreds = families. Greek. patria. Only here, Luke 2:4 .Ephesians 3:15 .

earth. Greek. ge. App-129 .

blessed. Greek. eneulogeomai. Only here, and in Galatians 1:3 , Galatians 1:8 . Strong form of eulogeo, which occurs in the next verse.

Verse 26

iniquities. Greek. poneria. App-128 .