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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 3:12-26

We have here the sermon which Peter preached after he had cured the lame man. When Peter saw it. 1. When he saw the people got together in a crowd, he took that opportunity to preach Christ to them, especially the temple being the place of their concourse, and Solomon's porch there: let them come and hear a more excellent wisdom than Solomon?s, for, behold, a greater than Solomon is here preached. 2. When he saw the people affected with the miracle, and filed with admiration, then he sowed the... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 3:17-26

3:17-26 "Now, brothers, I know that it was through ignorance that you did it, just as your rulers did. But God has thus fulfilled those things which he foretold by the mouths of all the prophets that his anointed one should suffer. Repent, then, and turn so that your sins may be wiped out, so that times of refreshing may come to you from God, and so that he may send Jesus Christ who has already been preached to you. It is necessary that heaven should receive him until the times when all... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 3:17

And now, brethren ,.... He calls them brethren, because they were so according to the flesh; and to testify his cordial love and affection for them. I wot , or "I know", that through ignorance ye did it ; delivered up Jesus into the hands of Pilate; denied him to be the Messiah before him; preferred a murderer to him, and put him to death. As did also your rulers ; the members of the sanhedrim, some of them; see 1 Corinthians 2:8 for others of them knew him to be the Messiah,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 3:17

I wot - Οιδα , I know. Wot is from the Anglo-Saxon, to know ; and hence wit, science or understanding. Through ignorance ye did it - This is a very tender excuse for them; and one which seems to be necessary, in order to show them that their state was not utterly desperate; for if all that they did to Christ had been through absolute malice, (they well knowing who he was), if any sin could be supposed to be unpardonable, it must have been theirs. Peter, foreseeing that they might be... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 3:17

Verse 17 17.Because it was to be doubted, lest, being cast down with despair, they should refuse his doctrine, he doth a little lift them up. We must so temper our sermons that they may profit the hearers, for unless there be some hope of pardon left, the terror and fear of punishment doth harden men’s hearts with stubbornness; for that of David is true, That we fear the Lord when we perceive that he is unto us favorable, and easy to be pacified, (Psalms 130:4.) Thus doth Peter lessen the sin... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 3:11-21

The human and the Divine. Human and Divine elements are here crowded together, as indeed they are in most if not all of the events of our life. We look at— I. THE HUMAN ELEMENT , 1. Excitement. The man who had been lame, in the excitement of joy and gratitude, "held Peter and John" (verse 11), and "all the people ran together … greatly wondering" (verse 11). In the region of the Divine is calmness, serenity, peace; in that of the human is agitation, disturbance, excitement.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 3:11-26

Witness of Peter to Jesus. A great congregation, in the mood of wonder and prepared to listen, is before him. He who had once denied his Master in a moment of weakness, is now enabled with great power to give testimony of him. I. A DISCLAIMER OF INDEPENDENT POWER OR MERIT IN THE APOSTLES . The note of a genuine mission. The false prophet and the magician neglect nothing that will enhance their supposed supernatural character. The apostles insist that they are but... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 3:11-26

A great sermon to a wondering multitude. I. The AUDIENCE . 1. Different from that previously gathered, which was made up of devout men chiefly, who were interested in the strange phenomenon of the tongues. This was a mingled multitude, partly of temple worshippers, partly of passers-by, including, therefore, many who were present, at the Crucifixion, who had shouted "Crucify him!" 2. Their state of mind. Greatly wondering, ready to be taught, gazing inquiringly at the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 3:12-26

The two judgments. "The Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart ( 1 Samuel 16:7 )." That which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God" ( Luke 16:15 ). "The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner ( Luke 20:17 ). The above passages, with many others, call our particular attention to the frequent contrariety between the judgment of men and the judgment of God.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 3:17

In for through, A.V. I wot that in ignorance , etc. Mark the inimitable skill and tenderness with which he who had just wounded by his sharp rebuke now binds up the wound. All sternness and uncompromising severity before, he is all gentleness and indulgence now. They were only "men of Israel" in verse 12, now they are "brethren." He has an excuse for their grievous sin. They did it in ignorance (comp. Luke 23:1-56 . 33; 1 Timothy 1:13 ). Only let them see their error and repent of... read more

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