Acts 3:1-10

Acts 3:1-2 Samuel : . Example of the Works of the Apostles.— The cure of lame persons is frequently spoken of in the Synoptic Gospels, as a mark of the Messianic age; but no such cure is there recorded. Paul deals with a similar case at Lystra ( Acts 14:8). The apostles generally, but not invariably, go in pairs, as Luke 10:1 prescribes. So Peter and John here ( cf. Acts 8:14) go for their devotions to the Temple at 3 P.M., the hour of the evening sacrifice. In the following narrative it is Peter only who acts and speaks. At the gate called Beautiful, possibly the same as Nicanor’ s gate on the E. side of the Temple, and the favourite entrance, they find a man congenitally lame. He asks alms: they ask his whole attention, which he gives them. Peter cannot give him money but has a greater gift for him. “ In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean” (as if the full title had to be used for such a work; cf. Actus Petri cum Simone, xi. 13 , 16 )—“ walk.” The power of the Name ( Genesis 32:29 *, 1 Corinthians 5:3-Deuteronomy : *) at once appears; as Jesus takes the hand of Peter’ s wife’ s mother to help her to rise ( Mark 1:31), so Peter takes the lame man’ s right hand, and the cure is accomplished. The man leaps up and enters the Temple with the apostles, not merely walking but leaping ( Isaiah 35:6) and praising God. The effect on the crowd is an example of the fear spoken of in Acts 2:43.