Acts 3

1 And Peter and John went up into the temple, at the ninth hour of praying [at the ninth hour of prayer].

2 And a man, that was lame from the womb of his mother, was borne, and was laid each day at the gate of the temple [And some man that was lame from the womb of his mother, was borne, whom they put each day at the gate of the temple], that is said fair, to ask alms of men that entered into the temple.

3 This, when he saw Peter and John beginning to enter into the temple, prayed that he should take alms.

4 And Peter with John beheld on him, and said, Behold thou into us. [Forsooth Peter with John beholding him, said, Behold into us.]

5 And he beheld into them, and hoped, that he should take somewhat of them. [And he beheld into them, hoping him to take something of them.]

6 But Peter said, I have neither silver nor gold [Forsooth Peter said, Silver and gold is not to me]; but that that I have, I give to thee. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up, and go.

7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up; and at once [and anon] his legs and his feet were strengthened together;

8 and he leaped, and stood, and wandered. And he entered with them into the temple, and wandered, and leaped, and praised God. [and he leaping stood, and wandered. And he entered with them into the temple, wandering, and leaping, and praising God.]

9 And all the people saw him walking, and praising God.

10 And they knew him, that he it was that sat at alms at the fair gate of the temple. And they were filled with wondering, and astonishing, in that thing that befelled to him [And they were full-filled with wonder, and ecstasy, that is losing of mind and reason, and letting of tongue, in that thing that befell to him].

11 But when they saw Peter and John, all the people ran to them at the porch that was called of Solomon, and wondered greatly. [Soothly when they saw Peter and John, all the people ran to them at the porch that is called of Solomon, wondering greatly.]

12 And Peter saw, and answered to the people, Men of Israel, what wonder ye in this thing? either what behold ye us, as by our virtue either power we made this man for to walk [+Men of Israel, what wonder ye in this thing? or what behold ye us, as by our virtue, or power/either piety, we made this man to walk]?

13 God of Abraham, and God of Isaac, and God of Jacob, [and] God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus, whom ye betrayed, and denied before the face of Pilate, when he deemed him to be delivered [+when he deemed to be dismissed, or let go].

14 But ye denied the holy and the rightful, and asked a manslayer to be given to you. [Ye forsooth denied the holy and just, and asked a man-homicide, or manslayer, to be given to you.]

15 And ye slew the maker of life, whom God raised from death [whom God raised from dead], of whom we be witnesses.

16 And in the faith of his name he hath confirmed this man, whom ye see and know; the name of him, and the faith that is by him, gave to this man full healing in the sight of all you [gave this full health in the sight of all you].

17 And now, brethren, I wot that by unwitting ye did, as also your princes.

18 But God that before-told by the mouth of all prophets, that his Christ should suffer, hath fulfilled so.

19 Therefore be ye repentant, and be ye converted, that your sins be done away, that when the times of refreshing shall come from the sight of the Lord,

20 and he shall send that Jesus Christ, that is now preached to you.

21 Whom it behooveth heaven to receive, [till] into the times of restitution of all things, which the Lord spake by the mouth of his holy prophets from the world.

22 For Moses said, For the Lord your God shall raise to you a prophet, of your brethren; as me, ye shall hear him by all things [as me, ye shall hear him upon all things], whatever he shall speak to you.

23 And it shall be, that every man that shall not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from the people. [+Forsooth it shall be, every soul that shall not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed, or exiled, from the people.]

24 And all prophets from Samuel and afterward, that spake, told these days.

25 But ye be the sons of prophets [Ye forsooth be the sons of prophets], and of the testament, that God ordained to our fathers, and said [saying] to Abraham, In thy seed all the families of earth shall be blessed.

26 God raised his Son first to you, and sent him blessing you [God raising his Son first to you, sent him blessing you], that each man convert him from his wickedness.

Acts 3 Commentary

Chapter 3

A lame man healed by Peter and John. (1-11) Peter's address to the Jews. (12-26)

Verses 1-11 The apostles and the first believers attended the temple worship at the hours of prayer. Peter and John seem to have been led by a Divine direction, to work a miracle on a man above forty years old, who had been a cripple from his birth. Peter, in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, bade him rise up and walk. Thus, if we would attempt to good purpose the healing of men's souls, we must go forth in the name and power of Jesus Christ, calling on helpless sinners to arise and walk in the way of holiness, by faith in Him. How sweet the thought to our souls, that in respect to all the crippled faculties of our fallen nature, the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth can make us whole! With what holy joy and rapture shall we tread the holy courts, when God the Spirit causes us to enter therein by his strength!

Verses 12-18 Observe the difference in the manner of working the miracles. Our Lord always spoke as having Almighty power, never hesitated to receive the greatest honour that was given to him on account of his Divine miracles. But the apostles referred all to their Lord, and refused to receive any honour, except as his undeserving instruments. This shows that Jesus was one with the Father, and co-equal with Him; while the apostles knew that they were weak, sinful men, and dependent for every thing on Jesus, whose power effected the cure. Useful men must be very humble. Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but to thy name, give glory. Every crown must be cast at the feet of Christ. The apostle showed the Jews the greatness of their crime, but would not anger or drive them to despair. Assuredly, those who reject, refuse, or deny Christ, do it through ignorance; but this can in no case be an excuse.

Verses 19-21 The absolute necessity of repentance is to be solemnly charged upon the consciences of all who desire that their sins may be blotted out, and that they may share in the refreshment which nothing but a sense of Christ's pardoning love can afford. Blessed are those who have felt this. It was not needful for the Holy Spirit to make known the times and seasons of these dispensations. These subjects are still left obscure. But when sinners are convinced of their sins, they will cry to the Lord for pardon; and to the penitent, converted, and believing, times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord. In a state of trial and probation, the glorified Redeemer will be out of sight, because we must live by faith in him.

Verses 22-26 Here is a powerful address to warn the Jews of the dreadful consequences of their unbelief, in the very words of Moses, their favourite prophet, out of pretended zeal for whom they were ready to reject Christianity, and to try to destroy it. Christ came into the world to bring a blessing with him. And he sent his Spirit to be the great blessing. Christ came to bless us, by turning us from our iniquities, and saving us from our sins. We, by nature cleave to sin; the design of Divine grace is to turn us from it, that we may not only forsake, but hate it. Let none think that they can be happy by continuing in sin, when God declares that the blessing is in being turned from all iniquity. Let none think that they understand or believe the gospel, who only seek deliverance from the punishment of sin, but do not expect happiness in being delivered from sin itself. And let none expect to be turned from their sin, except by believing in, and receiving Christ the Son of God, as their wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.