Acts 3:2-14 Sermon (5)

Acts 3:2–14 NKJV

And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God. Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon’s, greatly amazed. So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: “Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 3

3:2 who was lame from birth This description underscores the seemingly irreversible nature of the man’s condition, with which he had suffered for more than 40 years (Acts 4:22).

every day People would have been familiar with the man, which further establishes the public nature of the miracle of his healing.

gate of the temple called “Beautiful” Possibly the Nicanor Gate, which separates the Court of Women from the Court of the Israelites.

3:3 to receive alms Having no prior relationship with the disciples, the lame man treats them like everyone else (compare v. 2).

3:4 At this point in Acts, Luke’s account includes seemingly unnecessary details, which slows the pace of the narrative. This points to the importance of what follows.

3:6 in the name Peter is careful to note that his miracle is truly done by Jesus; in doing so, he expresses Jesus’ nature, character, and power.

Jesus Christ the Nazarene See note on 2:22.

3:7 his feet and ankles Luke, who is a physician, observes the specific way Jesus’ power works instantly to overcome the man’s lifelong disability.

3:8 praising God The man attributes his healing to God, testifying to the divine power of Jesus.

3:10 they recognized Luke (the narrator) has already established the familiarity of local people with the once lame, but now healed, man. The people in the temple clearly grasped that a miracle had taken place; there was no doubt about its authenticity.

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).

3:11–26 Peter explains the meaning of the miracle to the crowd: It provides proof of the Church’s message that God raised Jesus from the dead as Lord and King, the true Messiah of Israel.

3:11 portico called Solomon’s A shaded area along the eastern wall of the Court of the Gentiles. It was used for commerce, teaching, and conversation. Acts later records that Christians sometimes gathered there (5:12).

3:12 by our own power or godliness Peter focuses on the power and authority of Jesus, not on any supernatural abilities that may be attributed to the apostles.

3:13 The God of Abraham The phrase recalls God’s covenant promises to Abraham and faithfulness to Israel, including making Israel a great nation, and blessing the entire world (Gen 12:1–3; Exod 3:6; 1 Kgs 18:36).

servant The Greek word used here, pais, may allude to the Suffering Servant mentioned in Isa 52:13.

whom you handed over and denied Peter recalls the betrayals that occurred during Christ’s trial and execution—and his audience’s implication in them—not many days earlier in Jerusalem (Matt 20:19; Luke 23:1).

3:14 the Holy and Righteous One Isaiah frequently describes God as the Holy One to show God’s distinctive character as well as Israel’s guilt in being unfaithful to Him (e.g., Isa 1:4; 5:24; 10:17). By giving to Jesus the title Isaiah uses for God, Peter implies the Messiah’s divine character and status

Genesis 12:1–3 NKJV

Now the Lord had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”