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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 3:18

But those things which God before had showed ,.... In the Scriptures of the Old Testament, concerning the betraying of the Messiah, and his sufferings and death, with the various causes, concomitants, and circumstances of them: by the mouths of all his prophets ; which were since the world began; some pointing out one thing or circumstance, and some another: that Christ should suffer . The Vulgate Latin and Syriac versions read, "that his Christ should suffer"; but then they leave... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 3:18

But those things - he hath so fulfilled - Your ignorance and malice have been overruled by the sovereign wisdom and power of God, and have become the instruments of fulfilling the Divine purpose, that Christ must suffer, in order to make an atonement for the sin of the world. All the prophets had declared this; some of them in express terms, others indirectly and by symbols; but, as the whole Mosaic dispensation referred to Christ, all that prophesied or ministered under it must have... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 3:18

Verse 18 18.And God Hereby it appeareth more plainly to what end he made mention of ignorance; for when he telleth them that God hath accomplished those things which he had foretold, he doth so touch their offense in the death of Christ, that it turneth to their salvation. Ignorance, saith he, hath made you guilty, yet God hath brought that to pass which he had determined, that Christ should redeem you by his death. This is a most notable consideration, when as we ponder and consider with... 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 3:17-18

Man's ruling and God's overruling. St. Peter admits that the rejection of Christ was done through ignorance, but he does not allow that this is a sufficient excuse. Ignorance has many degrees, and may arise from many causes. It may be willful. It may be a consequence of cherished prejudices, and then it is guilty ignorance. "The Jewish multitude were ignorant from want of teaching, their rulers from mental perverseness in looking only on one part of the prophecies concerning the... read more

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