Acts 3

Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

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;

Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.

And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.

And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.

Then 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.

And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ancle bones received strength.

And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

And all the people saw him walking and praising God:

And 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.

And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering.

And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?

The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.

But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;

And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.

And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.

But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:

Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.

And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.

Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.

Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.

Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.

What does Acts 3:16 mean?

Explanation

Acts 3:16 is a testament to the power of faith in Jesus' name and its impact on healing and restoration.

The apostle Peter speaks these words to explain a miraculous healing that has just taken place.

A man who was lame from birth was healed at the gate of the temple called Beautiful, and as a result, he could walk.

The verse emphasizes the idea that it was neither the power nor the piety of Peter himself that healed the man, but rather the faith that comes through Jesus, faith that is anchored in the belief in His power and authority.

Moreover, the verse highlights the notion that the man's healing, which is described as "perfect soundness," was made manifest in full view of the people present, providing undeniable evidence of the miracle.

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Historical Context

Acts 3:16 comes from the scene in the early chapters of the Book of Acts when the apostles Peter and John encounter a lame man begging at the gate of the temple.

This incident occurs soon after the ascension of Jesus and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2).

The new Christian community is beginning to take shape in Jerusalem, and the apostles are performing many signs and wonders.

The healing of the lame man serves as both a demonstration of the apostles' miraculous abilities through the Holy Spirit and as an impetus for Peter to teach about Jesus Christ and the salvation available through Him.

Theological Insights

The verse provides several key theological insights:

Name of Jesus: The name of Jesus is portrayed as inherently powerful, functioning almost as a means by which God's power is channeled.

It underscores the Christian belief in the divine authority invested in the name of Jesus. 2. Faith: Faith is central to the healing; without faith 'in His name,' such miracles would not be possible, suggesting that belief is a necessary component for the divine to act in the world. 3. Healing and Salvation: The physical healing is a metaphor for spiritual healing.

The physical restoration of the man's ability to walk mirrors the spiritual restoration offered through Christ. 4. Witness: The presence of the people as witnesses emphasizes the importance of testimony in the spread of the Gospel, as the healing both verifies the apostles' message and magnifies God's power.

Practical Applications

Acts 3:16 offers several applications for daily life:

Power of Faith: It reiterates the importance of faith in Jesus for Christians today.

It suggests that trusting in Jesus' name can lead to transformative experiences. 2. Witness to Others: Believers are called to be witnesses to their faith, allowing others to observe the work of God in their lives, much like the healing witnessed by the people at the temple. 3. Wholeness: The idea of "perfect soundness" speaks to God's desire for wholeness in human lives, encouraging individuals to seek spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being.

Cross-References

John 14:13: "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son."
Mark 16:17-18: "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."
James 5:15: "And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him."
Ephesians 2:8: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:"

Language Study

Analyzing key words in the original Greek of Acts 3:16 yields deeper understanding:

Name (ὄνομα, onoma): Refers to more than just a label or title.

It embodies the character, authority, and power of the person it represents, in this case, Jesus.

Faith (πίστις, pistis): Means trust, belief, or confidence, often with the implication of a commitment to the one in whom one has faith.
Made...strong (ἐστερέωσεν, estereosen): Derived from the word for "sturdy" or "solid," suggesting making something immovable or established.
Perfect soundness (ὁλοκληρία, holokleria): Indicates wholeness or completeness, without any defect or deficiency.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the context of ancient religions and myths:

Healing Deities: Many ancient cultures had gods or deities associated with healing, like Asclepius in Greek mythology or Imhotep in Egyptian tradition.

Miraculous healings were often attributed to these figures. 2. Name Magic: The idea that names have power is found in many ancient cultures.

In Egypt and Mesopotamia, for example, knowing the name of a god or demon was thought to grant power over that being.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific viewpoint, healing miracles like the one described in Acts 3:16 present challenges, as they operate outside the natural laws as currently understood by science.

Some modern readers interpret such accounts metaphorically or symbolically, whereas others may look to psychological or psychosomatic explanations for sudden improvements in health that might appear miraculous.

Commentaries

Experts and biblical commentators offer varied insights into Acts 3:16:

John Calvin: Emphasized faith as the means by which grace and miracles are received, aligning with his overall theology that faith is the mechanism of our justification.
Matthew Henry: Noted that the faith which heals is not the apostle's faith, but the faith given from God to the healed man.
**F.F.

Bruce**: Discusses the socio-religious impact of the miracle, suggesting that the healing acts as a sign of the arrival of a new age with the risen Christ.

William Barclay: Highlights the difference between magic and miracle, pointing out that Peter ascribes the healing to God and not to any inherent power he possesses.

Acts 3

Acts 3

What does Acts 3:16 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Acts 3:16 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?