Acts 3:1-10 · Bible study
Acts 3:1-10 Commentary: Healing and the Temple Prayer
Greek · 11 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Examine Acts 3:1-10: Peter and John heal a lame man at the temple gate. Understand continuity with Jewish worship and the power of Jesus' name.
Research Summary
- Meaning: The apostles heal a chronically lame man in Jesus’ name, demonstrating Christ’s continued power and the early church’s continuity with Jewish worship.
- Key words: anebainon (were going up, imperfect tense, habitual action), atenizō (fixed gaze, preparing for faith), basis and sphydra (technical medical terms for feet and ankles), exallomai (leaping up, only here in NT).
- Main debate: Whether the man’s faith was essential to the healing; some commentators (Barnes, Cambridge) think Peter perceived faith in him, while others (Calvin) emphasize the apostles’ role as instruments of God’s sovereign choice.
- Theological theme: The name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth carries divine authority that transcends material poverty.
- Best use: A model for preaching on prayer, miraculous provision, and the priority of spiritual gifts over material wealth.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
1One afternoon Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.
2And a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those entering the temple courts.
3When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money.
4Peter looked directly at him, as did John. “Look at us!” said Peter.
5So the man gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.
6But Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!”
7Taking him by the right hand, Peter helped him up, and at once the man’s feet and ankles were made strong.
8He sprang to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and leaping and praising God.
9When all the people saw him walking and praising God,
10they recognized him as the man who used to sit begging at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
WEB World English Bible 2000
1Peter and John were going up into the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.
2A certain man who was lame from his mother’s womb was being carried, whom they laid daily at the door of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask gifts for the needy of those who entered into the temple.
3Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive gifts for the needy.
4Peter, fastening his eyes on him, with John, said, “Look at us.”
5He listened to them, expecting to receive something from them.
6But Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I have, that I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!”
7He took him by the right hand and raised him up. Immediately his feet and his ankle bones received strength.
8Leaping up, he stood and began to walk. He entered with them into the temple, walking, leaping, and praising God.
9All the people saw him walking and praising God.
10They recognized him, that it was he who used to sit begging for gifts for the needy at the Beautiful Gate of the temple. They were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
KJV King James Version 1769
1Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.
2And 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 of them that entered into the temple;
3Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.
4And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.
5And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.
6Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
7And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
8And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
9And all the people saw him walking and praising God:
10And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
1Now Peter and John were going up into the temple at the hour of prayer, beingthe ninth hour.
2And a certain man that was lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the door of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;
3who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked to receive an alms.
4And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him, with John, said, Look on us.
5And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something from them.
6But Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but what I have, that give I thee. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.
7And he took him by the right hand, and raised him up: and immediately his feet and his ankle-bones received strength.
8And leaping up, he stood, and began to walk; and he entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
9And all the people saw him walking and praising God:
10and they took knowledge of him, that it was he that sat for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
1And Peter and John were going up at the same time to the temple, at the hour of the prayer, the ninth hour ,
2and a certain man, being lame from the womb of his mother, was being carried, whom they were laying every day at the gate of the temple, called Beautiful, to ask a kindness from those entering into the temple,
3who, having seen Peter and John about to go into the temple, was begging to receive a kindness.
4And Peter, having looked stedfastly toward him with John, said, `Look toward us;'
5and he was giving heed to them, looking to receive something from them;
6and Peter said, `Silver and gold I have none, but what I have, that I give to thee; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and be walking.'
7And having seized him by the right hand, he raised him up, and presently his feet and ankles were strengthened,
8and springing up, he stood, and was walking, and did enter with them into the temple, walking and springing, and praising God;
9and all the people saw him walking and praising God,
10they were knowing him also that this it was who for a kindness was sitting at the Beautiful gate of the temple, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what hath happened to him.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
1And Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, [which is] the ninth [hour];
2and a certain man who was lame from his mother's womb was being carried, whom they placed every day at the gate of the temple called Beautiful, to ask alms of those who were going into the temple;
3who, seeing Peter and John about to enter into the temple, asked to receive alms.
4And Peter, looking stedfastly upon him with John, said, Look on us.
5And he gave heed to them, expecting to receive something from them.
6But Peter said, Silver and gold I have not; but what I have, this give I to thee: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazaraean rise up and walk.
7And having taken hold of him [by] the right hand he raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones were made strong.
8And leaping up he stood and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
9And all the people saw him walking and praising God;
10and they recognised him, that it was he who sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
1Now Peter and John went up into the temple at the ninth hour of prayer.
2And a certain man who was lame from his mother's womb was carried: whom they laid every day at the gate of the temple, which is called Beautiful, that he might ask alms of them that went into the temple.
3He, when he had seen Peter and John, about to go into the temple, asked to receive an alms.
4But Peter with John, fastening his eyes upon him, said: Look upon us.
5But he looked earnestly upon them, hoping that he should receive something of them.
6But Peter said: Silver and gold I have none; but what I have, I give thee. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, arise and walk.
7And taking him by the right hand, he lifted him up: and forthwith his feet and soles received strength.
8And he leaping up, stood and walked and went in with them into the temple, walking and leaping and praising God.
9And all the people saw him walking and praising God.
10And they knew him, that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened to him.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · Acts 3:1
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that this passage shows the early apostles continuing to participate in Jewish temple worship. Vincent notes the imperfect verb anebainon (“were going up”) indicates habitual practice, not a single visit. Barnes emphasizes the man was “lame from his mother’s womb”, a publicly known condition that made the healing undeniable. Calvin calls the story a “specimen” of the many signs the apostles performed, chosen to illustrate the authority of Jesus’ name. All sources highlight that the miracle was done not by apostolic power but “in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.” The healed man’s response, walking, leaping, praising God, fulfills Isaiah 35:6 (as Poole notes) and confirms the cure. The crowd’s wonder shows the event served as a public witness.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: The passage reports a miraculous healing performed by Peter in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, publicly verified, leading to praise and wonder.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Temple Worship | Peter and John went to the temple at the hour of prayer, showing the early church continued Jewish worship practices. | Some see this as a normative pattern for Christian devotion; others view it as a temporary stage before the church’s separation from Judaism. |
| The Source of Healing | The healing was performed in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, not by the apostles' own power. | Whether the apostles could heal at will (as Calvin argues, only when God directed) or whether they had continuous power (as implied by Acts 2:43, though individual healings are not described as automatic). |
| The Role of Faith | The man gave attention to the apostles and expected to receive something; faith is present in the narrative. | Some emphasize the man’s faith (Barnes: Peter perceived faith in him); others focus on the apostles’ faith as the instrument (Calvin: Peter spoke after being certain of God’s intent). |
| Poverty of the Apostles | Peter states he has no silver or gold, highlighting the early church’s simplicity. | Some traditions use this to critique later church wealth (e.g., Wesley contrasts Peter with the pope); others caution against over-interpreting the statement, noting the apostles did handle community funds (Acts 2:44-45). |
Historical & Cultural Context
Peter and John went to the temple at the ninth hour (about 3 p.m.), the time of the evening sacrifice and prayer. This hour was observed daily, as seen in the law (Exod 29:39; Num 28:4) and in Daniel’s practice (Dan 6:10; 9:21). The apostles’ attendance proves they continued Jewish devotional customs after Pentecost.
The gate called Beautiful was likely the Nicanor Gate, a massive 30-cubit entrance made of Corinthian bronze, separating the Court of Gentiles from the Court of Women (Wesley calls it “more pompous than those covered with silver and gold”). It was a prime location for begging. The lame man, over forty years old (Acts 4:22), was carried there daily. His condition was congenital, so there could be no suspicion of deception.
Prayer and alms were intertwined at the temple. Those entering carried money for both the treasury and the poor (Clarke). The man expected a coin; Peter gave him something far greater. The apostles’ poverty, “silver and gold have I none”, underscores that their wealth was not material but spiritual. The healing took place in full public view, giving the authorities no ground to deny it (Acts 4:16).
Textual Notes
The supplied sources note no significant textual variants in Acts 3:1-10. The common readings are consistent across all major manuscript traditions. Minor differences in word order (e.g., the placement of “with John” in v.4) do not affect interpretation.
Reception History
In the early church, this passage was often cited to demonstrate the apostolic authority granted by Jesus and the priority of spiritual gifts over material possessions. Fathers such as Augustine referenced it in discussions on the relationship between the old and new covenants. During the Reformation, reformers used Peter’s words “Silver and gold have I none” to argue against the temporal wealth of the church, while Catholic interpreters noted that the apostles were not condemning wealth itself but pointing to a greater gift. The healing has been a favourite subject in art and hymnody, symbolising the transformative power of Christ.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Continuity in Worship, Peter and John go to the temple at the appointed hour (v.1). The early church did not break from Jewish practices but fulfilled them in Christ.
- Encounter of Need and Power, The lame man asks for money (v.3). Peter redirects his expectation toward Jesus (vv.4-6). Our deepest needs are met not by silver or gold but by the name of Christ.
- Response of Praise and Witness, The healed man walks, leaps, and praises God (v.8). The people see and wonder (vv.9-10). Authentic transformation leads to worship and mission.
Five-point outline
- Devotion to Prayer (v.1), The apostles model rhythmic, corporate prayer. Their faith was lived in routine, not just crisis.
- Recognized Need (vv.2-3), The man’s disability was public and chronic. He asked for what he thought he needed.
- Directed Gaze (vv.4-5), Peter commands “Look at us.” Eye contact prepares the man for faith (Barnes says Peter perceived faith in him).
- Greater Gift (v.6), The apostles had no money, but they gave what they had. The name of Jesus carries more power than any currency.
- Unmistakable Testimony (vv.7-10), Immediate healing, leaping, praise. The people recognized the change. The miracle could not be ignored.
Illustration hooks
- A person who goes to church every week but expects only the routine, then receives an unexpected answer to prayer that changes everything.
- A charity worker who has no money to give but offers time and presence, discovering that personal attention matters more than cash.
- Someone who prays for a small need and receives a far greater gift, like the man who asked for alms and got the ability to walk.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why does God sometimes give us something radically different from what we ask for?
- If the apostles were filled with the Spirit, why did they still attend temple prayers? Does this mean we should keep our old religious habits?
- How do we balance offering practical help (money) with offering spiritual help (prayer, presence, healing)?
Leading a Discussion
This passage shows the early church’s deep roots in Jewish worship and the surprising ways God works through ordinary faithfulness. Peter and John went to the temple to pray, not expecting to heal anyone. Yet at the gate they encountered a man who had been crippled for over forty years, and everything changed.
Discussion questions
- What do you notice about Peter and John’s routine in verse 1? Why does Luke mention the specific time and place?
- The man was laid at the Beautiful Gate every day. How might his daily disappointment shape the way he responds when Peter tells him to look at them?
- Peter says, “I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you.” What did Peter have that was more valuable than money? How does this challenge our assumptions about generosity?
- The healing happens “immediately” (v.7). Why does the narrative emphasize the suddenness of the cure?
- In verse 8, the man enters the temple, leaping and praising God. How does his response connect worship with the miracle? What does his choice to go into the temple reveal about his heart?
- The crowd was filled with wonder and amazement (v.10). What effect does this miracle have on the wider community? How does it set up Peter’s sermon in verses 11-26?
- Where in your own life have you received something far greater than what you asked for? How did it change your response to God?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Exodus 29:39 | The one lamb you shall offer in the morning; and the other lamb you shall offer at evening; |
| Numbers 28:4 | You shall offer the one lamb in the morning, and you shall offer the other lamb at evening, |
| I Kings 18:36 | At the time of the evening offering, Elijah the prophet came near and said, “Yahweh, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word. |
| Psalms 55:17 | Evening, morning, and at noon, I will cry out in distress. He will hear my voice. |
| Daniel 6:10 | When Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house (now his windows were open in his room toward Jerusalem) and he kneeled on his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did before. |
| Daniel 9:21 | yes, while I was speaking in prayer—the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening offering. |
| Matthew 17:1 | After six days, Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them up into a high mountain by themselves. |
| Matthew 26:37 | He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and severely troubled. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
8 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke highlights the irony that Peter, who had no money, could still heal the lame man, while later church leaders with vast wealth cannot perform such miracles. He contrasts the apostles' poverty and divine power with the wealth of the papacy, which has lost the ability to heal.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin emphasizes that the lame man asked only for alms but received healing far beyond his hope, showing how God often gives more than we dare to ask. He also stresses that Peter acted not by personal power but by a specific revelation of the Spirit, fixing his eyes on the man before commanding him to rise.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentary draws attention to the medical language in this account, noting that words like "feet and ankle bones" are technical terms found nowhere else in the New Testament. This detail, along with the vivid, painterly description that contrasts sharply with Paul's miracle at Lystra, points to the author as a physician faithfully recording an eyewitness report.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB draws attention to the deliberate, step-by-step drama of the healing: Peter first fixes the man's gaze, then speaks with lofty confidence, then physically lifts him. The medical precision about feet and ankle bones, along with the triple description of walking, leaping, and praising, underscores both the instant and complete restoration.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange highlights the rare cooperation seen in this miracle: Peter and the lame man each fix their eyes on the other with sympathy and hope, both depend fully on Jesus, and both combine body and soul in one effort. The miracle is not just physical healing but also a spiritual awakening, with Jesus as the point of union for both giver and receiver.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry points out that this healing is one specific example chosen from many miracles the apostles performed. The Holy Spirit directed which miracles to record, and only those that serve the purpose of the sacred history are included. The apostles did not heal everyone they met but acted as the Spirit led.
Vincent's Word Studies Evangelical 1887
Vincent focuses on the Greek words Luke used to describe the healing, highlighting the physician's precise medical terms for the foot and ankle bones. The imperfect tenses show continuous action: the man was being carried as they ascended, and he began walking, testing his new strength step by step.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley highlights the irony that Peter, who had no silver or gold, stood at the temple's magnificent Beautiful Gate—a lavish structure of Corinthian brass. He then contrasts this poverty with the wealth of the bishop of Rome, implying that Peter's supposed successor cannot truthfully make the same claim.