Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - Acts 3:6 - 3:6

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Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - Acts 3:6 - 3:6


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6. οὐχ ὑπάρχει μοι. The Apostles, we may see from this, made no claim for themselves upon the contributions of the richer converts. There seems to be a difference intended in the kind of possession, ὑπάρχω being used of the worldly belongings, ἔχω of the spiritual gifts, as being the best, and the most surely held.

Render the second clause, ‘What I have that give I thee.’ We are nowhere told how much time had passed since the day of Pentecost, but it is probable that this was not the first miracle which Peter wrought (see Act 2:43). For he speaks as not without experience of what works God will enable him to do. His language is that of firm assurance, ‘what I have,’ though in a moment he adds ‘in the name of Jesus Christ.’

Ναζωραίου. According to St John’s account, the name Nazareth was included in the title on Christ’s cross (Joh 19:19), and we can see that the place was despised in the eyes of the Jews (Joh 1:46) from Nathanael’s question to Philip. This despised origin, as well as the shameful death, of Jesus, was a stumblingblock to the Jews.

ἔγειρε καὶ περιπάτει. There is some variation in the MSS. here, some having only the last verb. As it stands, the text is exactly the same as the words which Christ used (Luk 5:23) at the cure of the paralytic. Hence objectors have alleged that St Luke in the Acts has based his history here on those recorded words of Jesus. But what is more natural than that St Peter at such a time when speaking and acting in Christ’s name should employ Christ’s very words?