Acts 3:1-10

Acts 3:1-10

[1] Now  Peter  and  John  went up  together  into  the temple  at the hour  of prayer,  being the ninth  [2] And  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;  [3] Who  Peter  and  John  about  to go  into  the temple  asked  an alms.  [4] And  Peter,  fastening his eyes  upon  him  with  John,  said,  Look  on  [5] And  he gave heed  unto them,  expecting  to receive  something  of  them.  [6] Then  Peter  said,  Silver  and  gold  have  none;  but  such as  I have  give I  In  the name  of Jesus  Christ  of Nazareth  rise up  and  walk.  [7] And  he took  him  by the right  hand,  and lifted him up:  and  immediately  his  feet  and  ankle bones  received strength.  [8] And  he leaping up  stood,  and  walked,  and  entered  with  them  into  the temple,  walking,  and  leaping,  and  praising  God.  [9] And  all  the people  him  walking  and  praising  God:  [10] they knew  that  it  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. 

What does Acts 3:1-10 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Luke had just referred to the apostles" teaching, to the awe that many of the Jews felt, to the apostles doing signs and wonders, and to the Christians meeting in the temple ( Acts 2:43-44; Acts 2:46). Now he narrated a specific incident that included these elements. The Gospel writers also chose a healing to illustrate the nature of Jesus" early ministry ( Matthew 8:2-4; Mark 1:40-45; Luke 5:12-16; Luke 5:24; John 4:46-54). The healing of this man resulted in the leaders of the Jews changing their attitudes toward the disciples from favorable to antagonistic ( Acts 4:1-4). The Christians were not able to continue to enjoy favor with all the people ( Acts 2:47).
This is the first of14miracles in Acts (by Peter: Acts 3:1-10; Acts 5:1-11; Acts 5:17-26; Acts 9:32-42; by an angel: Acts 12:1-19; Acts 12:20-23; and by Paul: Acts 13:4-12; Acts 14:8-11; Acts 16:16-40; Acts 20:7-12; Acts 28:3-8). These include four healings (three paralytics and one involving fever), two raisings from the dead, four liberations (two from physical bondage and two involving exorcisms), three acts of judgment, and one preservation miracle. There are also10 summary notices of miracles in Acts ( Acts 2:43; Acts 5:12; Acts 5:15-16; Acts 6:8; Acts 8:6-7; Acts 8:13; Acts 14:3; Acts 19:11-12; Acts 28:9). [1]
"This event shows the community"s compassion and how it meets needs beyond merely material concerns [2]." [3]