The Pilot
How Do I Receive My Miracle
Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer.
The largest crowds would thus have been found at the times of sacrifice, as Peter and John must have been well aware; for they went to the temple for prayer and for witness.
A. Stop Accepting Temporary Solutions (Acts 3:2-3)
He is described as “crippled [chōlos, lame] from birth [literally, ‘from his mother’s womb’].
When Peter and John arrived at one of the temple gates, this man was in the process of being carried and placed there to beg for alms from those entering the temple
Still, it was one of the two major periods of worship, and many would have come to the temple at precisely this time to express their devotion to God.
The rabbis taught that there were three pillars for the Jewish faith—the Torah, worship, and the showing of kindness, or charity. Almsgiving was one of the main ways to show kindness and was thus considered a major expression of one’s devotion to God.
Since the giving of alms was a particularly meritorious act in Jewish religion, it would be appropriate for a beggar to place himself where pious people might be expected to pass on their way to worship.
Was carried (ἐβασταζετο [ebastazeto]). Imperfect passive, picturing the process as in verse 1. Laid daily (ἐτιθουν καθʼ ἡμεραν [etithoun kath’ hēmeran]). Imperfect again describing their custom with this man.
Was carried (ἐβασταζετο [ebastazeto]). Imperfect passive, picturing the process as in verse 1. Laid daily (ἐτιθουν καθʼ ἡμεραν [etithoun kath’ hēmeran]). Imperfect again describing their custom with this man.
Walk (περιπατει [peripatei]). Present imperative, inchoative idea, begin to walk and then go on walking. But the beggar does not budge. He knows that he cannot walk.
every day People would have been familiar with the man, which further establishes the public nature of the miracle of his healing.
2. From his mother’s womb. The careful record of the duration of the man’s suffering is rather characteristic of Luke (see chs. 9:33; 14:8). The cripple was about 40 years old at the time of his healing (see on ch. 4:22).
5. Expecting. The man’s hope rose no further than the temporary meeting of a physical need that a little money might supply.
“to beg alms of those who were entering” Almsgiving, or giving to the poor, was a required part of the Jewish faith (cf.
3:3 The man’s motive was originally only monetary (cf. v. 5).
χωλός (LN 23.175) (BDAG p. 1093): ‘lame’ [Bar, BDAG, BECNT, LN; all versions except NCV, NIV, REB], ‘crippled’ [AB, BDAG; NCV, NIV]. The phrase ‘a man lame from his mother’s womb’ is also translated ‘a man who had been a cripple from birth’ [CBC; REB]. This adjective describes someone who has a disability in one or more limbs, especially the leg or foot, often as the result of some deformity [LN].
QUESTION—Why was this beggar placed at this door of the temple?
This door was a gate that separated the outer court of the Gentiles from the inner courts where only the Jews were allowed. The first of the inner courts was the Women’s Court where Jews, both men and women, held public assemblies [Bar, BECNT, CBC, EBC, NAC, NICNT, PNTC, TNTC, TRT].
B. Be Honest About Your Needs (Acts 10:5-7)
Verse 6 is the heart of the passage, the one detail that sets this story apart from the usual narrative: “I have no silver or gold.”
The reference to “the name” is not incidental. In the biblical sense a name is far more than a label. It represents a person and is an extension of that person’s being and personality. To invoke the name of Jesus is to call upon his authority and power. In a real sense, then, Jesus through Peter continued his healing ministry.
Peter’s reply, with its deliberate word-order ‘Silver and gold I do not have’ (NIV), would initially disappoint the hopes that had been raised, but it was swiftly followed by an offer of something better.
‘In the name of Jesus’ (2:38 note) here means ‘by the authority of Jesus’.
It is to be noted that Peter did have access to silver and gold (2:45); the point was that in this case he could offer something better that went to the root of the man’s problem.
He held his eyes right on Peter and John with great eagerness “expecting to receive something” (προσδοκων τι λαβειν [prosdokōn ti labein]). He took Peter’s invitation as a promise of a large gift.
Walk (περιπατει [peripatei]). Present imperative, inchoative idea, begin to walk and then go on walking. But the beggar does not budge. He knows that he cannot walk.
The Greek may be understood here as indicating either that the lame man was being carried to his place of begging when he accosted the apostles or that he was already sitting there when Peter and John appeared.
In his need the lame man could not see beyond visible needs and means.
On the other hand, this lame man, a daily witness of the Temple services, and perhaps a purveyor of its gossip, could scarcely have been ignorant of the stirring events accompanying the recent crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.
One cannot give what he has not received, nor can he truly give from an ungenerous heart. He cannot give of Christ when he does not possess Christ. But when he has Christ, he knows it, and cannot too quickly share his precious gift with others.
QUESTION—How did the lame man respond to Peter?
The lame man did listen to Peter and turned his attention to them in the hope of receiving financial help from them [BECNT, NICNT, PNTC].
C. Celebrate Your Healing With Others (Acts 10:8-9)
With a healing touch common to miracle narratives, Peter grasped the man’s right hand and lifted him up. It is almost as if at this point the man needed all the encouragement he could get.
At this time not only had he received physical healing, but he had found spiritual acceptance as well. For the first time he was deemed worthy to enter the house of worship.
For the first time he could really praise God in the place of praise, in God’s house.
He was able not merely to stand, but to walk and leap for joy, and his first action, when healed, was to accompany the apostles into the temple and praise God in thankfulness for what had happened to him
The man attributes his healing to God, testifying to the divine power of Jesus.
astonishment Although the crowd knew God had acted to heal this man, they were unsure of the significance of the event. Their curiosity and questions facilitate Peter’s sermon (vv. 11–26).
As power came to the man there was the upward leap; then he found himself able to stand for the first time in his life. He walked step by step, and alternated the steps with leaps of joy.
3:8 “With a leap he stood upright” This is a PRESENT MIDDLE PARTICIPLE (cf. v. 9). This man began walking all around this section of the Temple. What an opportunity to share the Good News!
3:10 They knew this man (IMPERFECT ACTIVE INDICATIVE, they began to recognize him). He was no stranger or visitor. They had seen him at the gate day after day, and passed by! However, Jesus’ representatives did not just pass by, they acted in Pentecostal power!
Not only had he received physical healing, but he has found spiritual acceptance as well. For the first time he was deemed worthy to enter the house of worship
