Acts 3:12

12 When Peter saw this, he said, "Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us? We haven't made this man walk by our own power or godliness.

Acts 3:12 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 3:12

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.

Acts 3:12 In-Context

10 They recognized him as the same man who used to sit and beg at the temple gate called Beautiful. They were filled with wonder. They were amazed at what had happened to him.
11 The beggar was holding on to Peter and John. All the people were amazed. They came running to them at Solomon's Porch.
12 When Peter saw this, he said, "Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us? We haven't made this man walk by our own power or godliness.
13 The God of our fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, has done this. He has brought glory to Jesus, who serves him. But you handed Jesus over to be killed. Pilate had decided to let him go. But you spoke against Jesus when he was in Pilate's court.
14 You spoke against the Holy and Blameless One. You asked for a murderer to be set free instead.
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