Acts 3:1-10 Meaning: More Than Silver and Gold
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Meaning in one sentence
Peter and John heal a lame beggar at the Beautiful Gate, showing the early church's continuity with Jewish worship and the power of Jesus' name to
Context
Luke records the first miracle after Pentecost. Peter and John are heading to the temple at three in the afternoon, the time of the evening sacrifice and prayer. At the gate called Beautiful they meet a man who has been crippled since birth, carried there every day to beg. What happens next changes everything. Peter commands him to walk in the name of Jesus, takes his hand, and the man is instantly healed. He goes into the temple walking, leaping, and praising God. The crowd recognizes him and is filled with wonder. This story shows the apostles continuing the worship rhythms of Israel while the power of the risen Christ begins to transform lives.
Key Words
The Greek word for name (onoma) carried more weight than a simple label. In the ancient world, a name represented the authority and character of the person. When Peter says “in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,” he is not reciting a magic formula. He is acting under the authority of the risen Lord, making Jesus’ power present in that moment.
The word for were strengthened (estereōthēsan) comes from a root meaning to make solid or firm. Luke, a physician, uses technical medical terms for feet and ankles. The cure was not gradual; it was immediate and complete. God can do the same with our broken places. What has been weak for years can be made strong in a moment when Jesus’ authority is present.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have valued this passage for different reasons. Protestant readers often note that the apostles continued to attend temple worship, showing no break from their Jewish heritage. Catholic and Orthodox traditions see the healing as a sign of apostolic authority passed down through the Church. Many readers, like John Calvin, point out that God gives us more than we ask: the beggar wanted money but received a whole new life. All traditions agree that the miracle points to the power of Jesus’ name and the inbreaking of God’s kingdom.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers think the point is that Peter and John were incredibly poor and that the story highlights their destitution. In fact, Peter is making a deliberate contrast. He doesn’t have money, but he has something far more valuable: the authority of Jesus’ name. The healing is not about his lack but about what he possesses in Christ. The apostles were not complaining about their poverty; they were claiming a greater wealth.
Living This Out
This week, try to see the people you normally pass by. Like the beggar at the gate, they may expect one thing from you but need something deeper. You might feel you have little to offer, no special skills or resources. But you do have the name of Jesus. You can pray for someone. You can look them in the eye and treat them as a whole person, not a problem to solve. And if you are carrying your own long-term weakness, bring it to God. He can strengthen what has been broken for years.
Main takeaway: Jesus’ name holds the power to fully restore what seems permanently broken.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
The man who couldn’t walk wanted money from Peter. But Peter said, “I don’t have money, but I have something better.” He said, “In Jesus’ name, walk!” And the man jumped up and walked. Jesus made him strong.
For ages 9, 12
Peter didn’t have any money to give the beggar, but he had the most powerful thing in the world: the name of Jesus. When he used that name, the man was completely healed. This shows us that what we have in Jesus is worth more than anything money can buy. This week, if you feel you don’t have enough to help someone, remember that you can always pray in Jesus’ name. He hears and He can do more than we expect.
Questions People Ask
What is the Beautiful Gate in Acts 3?
It was likely the gate between the Court of Gentiles and the Court of Women in the temple. It was called Beautiful because of its elaborate workmanship, made of Corinthian brass and standing about thirty cubits high. It was a prominent place where beggars would sit to ask for alms from people entering the temple.
Why did Peter say 'Silver and gold have I none'?
Peter was responding to the beggar's request for money. He wanted to make it clear that he had no money to give, but he had something far greater: the authority of Jesus Christ. The statement highlights that the apostles did not rely on material wealth but on the power of the risen Lord.
What hour of prayer is mentioned in Acts 3?
The ninth hour, which corresponds to about three in the afternoon. This was the time of the evening sacrifice in the temple, and devout Jews would gather for prayer. The apostles continued this practice, showing their faithfulness to Jewish worship traditions even after Pentecost.
Does the healing in Acts 3:1-10 represent salvation?
Many Christians see the healing as a picture of salvation. The man was helpless, hopeless, and outside the temple, unable to enter. After being healed, he walks in, leaping and praising God. This mirrors how we are brought from spiritual helplessness into new life and worship through faith in Jesus.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study