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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Act_3:1-10
1Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer. 2And a man who had been lame from his mother's womb was being carried along, whom they used to set down every day at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, in order to beg alms of those who were entering the temple. 3When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he began asking to receive alms. 4But Peter, along with John, fixed his gaze on him and said, "Look at us!" 5And he began to give them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. 6But Peter said, "I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene – walk!" 7And seizing him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened. 8With a leap he stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9And all the people saw him walking and praising God; 10and they were taking note of him as being the one who used to sit at the Beautiful Gate of the temple to beg alms, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
Act_3:1 "Peter and John were going up to the temple" This is an imperfect active indicative. It was the habit of all of the early disciples to go to the Temple daily (cf. Luk_24:53; Act_2:46). The original followers of Jesus in Palestine worshiped
1. in the Temple (at least on special days if not daily)
2. in the local synagogue (every Sabbath)
3. with believers on Sunday
This was the pattern for a long period of time. These believers saw no division between their faith in Jesus as the Promised Messiah and Judaism. They saw themselves as the "people or congregation of Israel." This is why they chose the name ekklesia for their group. In the Septuagint this is how the Hebrew covenantal phrase, "the congregation (qahal) of Israel" was translated.
The Jews took official action after the fall of Jerusalem and instituted an oath formula (rejecting Jesus as the Messiah) to restrict membership in the local synagogues. This is when the church solidified its day of worship as Sunday (the day to commemorate Jesus' resurrection; the day Jesus appeared three times to the disciples in the Upper Room).
John is often identified with Peter in Acts (cf. Act_1:13; Act_3:1; Act_3:3-4; Act_3:11; Act_4:13; Act_4:19; Act_8:14). It is surely possible that the early church in Jerusalem had groups of leaders which represented different perspectives and emphases of the gospel. Possibly Peter and John were more open to Gentile evangelism (cf. Act_3:8; Act_3:10), while James (the half-brother of Jesus) was more identified with a conservative Jewish element. All this changed to some extent after the Jerusalem Council of Acts 15.
▣ "at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer" This would denote nine hours after sunrise. The Jews (i.e., Pharisees) had traditionally prayed each day at 9 a.m., 12 noon, and 3 p.m. (possibly based on Psa_55:17). This text refers to the time of the evening sacrifice, which was 3 p.m. (the morning sacrifice was at 9 a.m.). Many people would have been in the temple at this time (cf. Act_10:30).
Act_3:2 "a man who had been lame from his mother's womb" All of the regular attenders of the Temple knew of this man's condition ("was being carried repeatedly" is an imperfect passive); therefore, there was no chance of a trick being involved in the healing (cf Act_3:10; Act_4:22). This was a fulfillment of OT Messianic prophecy (cf. Isa_35:6). The Jews wanted a sign; Jesus gave them many, now they have another if they only had eyes to see.
Here is the shocking paradox of the sick sitting daily at the house of God. As a matter of fact, there was even a prohibition against these kinds of people actively participating in worship (i.e., serving as priests, cf. Lev_21:16-24). The gospel offers a new day. Even an Ethiopian (no race barriers) eunuch (no physical barriers) is welcome in the new kingdom (cf. Act_8:26-40).
▣ "the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful" The exact location of this gate is uncertain. It was possibly the Nicanor Gate which was made of Corinthian brass (Flavius Josephus, Antiq. 15.11.3; Wars 5.5.3). It led from the Court of the Gentiles to the Court of the Women. It was on the eastern side of the temple, facing the Mount of Olives, close to Solomon's Portico.
▣ "to beg alms of those who were entering" Almsgiving, or giving to the poor, was a required part of the Jewish faith (cf. Mat_6:1-4; Luk_11:41; Luk_12:33; Act_10:2; Act_10:4; Act_10:31; Act_24:17). Usually money was collected weekly in the local synagogues and then food distributed, but apparently some begged daily in the Temple area itself.
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Act_3:3 The man's motive was originally only monetary (cf. Act_3:5).
Act_3:4 "fixed his gaze on" See note at Act_1:10.
▣ "look at us" They wanted his undivided attention (blepô is in an aorist active imperative form).
Act_3:5 The Apostles were not monetarily wealthy men, but they had access to the spiritual resources of God (cf. Act_3:6).
Act_3:6 "In the name of Jesus Christ" "Name" is a Hebrew idiom which speaks of one's character (cf. Luk_9:48-49; Luk_10:17; Luk_21:12; Luk_21:17; Luk_24:47, see Special Topic at Act_2:21). This must have been shocking to this man. Jesus was a recently condemned and crucified criminal, whom this stranger (i.e,. Peter) was calling "the Messiah" (i.e., "The Christ," which is the Greek translation, see Special Topic at Act_2:31).
▣ "The Nazarene" See Special Topic at Act_2:22.
▣ "walk" This is a present active imperative. Peter and John, like Jesus, used a chance encounter to demonstrate God's love and power and also to confirm the gospel message (cf. Act_3:9). This healing drew the attention of the Jewish worshipers (cf. Act_3:12 ff).
Act_3:7 This is an eyewitness account of several related events. Someone who was there told Luke about this in vivid, detailed terms.
▣ "immediately" This is the Greek term parachrçma. Luke uses it ten times in his Gospel and six times in Acts (cf. Act_3:7; Act_5:10; Act_12:23; Act_13:11; Act_16:26; Act_16:33). It is used only twice in Matthew and nowhere else in the NT. It is used several times in the Septuagint. Luke uses idioms and terms from this Greek translation of the Hebrew OT often. He must have known the OT well, possibly from his contact with the Apostle Paul or involvement in Christian catechism with new believers.
Act_3:8 "With a leap he stood upright" This is a present middle participle (cf. Act_3:9). This man began walking all around this section of the Temple. What an opportunity to share the Good News!
Act_3:10 They knew this man (imperfect active indicative, they began to recognize him). He was no stranger or visitor. They had seen him at the gate day after day, and passed by! However, Jesus' representatives did not just pass by, they acted in Pentecostal power!
▣ "they were filled" Luke uses this term often (see full note at Act_5:17). Humans can be "filled" with many things (i.e., characterized by):
1. the Holy Spirit, Luk_1:15; Luk_1:41; Luk_1:67; Act_2:4; Act_4:8; Act_4:31; Act_9:17; Act_13:9
2. rage, Luk_4:28; Luk_6:11
3. fear, Luk_5:26
4. wonder and amazement, Act_3:10
5. jealousy, Act_5:17; Act_13:45
6. confusion, Act_19:29
Peter and John wanted these who were amazed (he got their attention) to be filled with the gospel!
▣ "wonder and amazement" These things are also common in Luke's writings.
1. wonder, thambos, Luk_3:6; Luk_5:9; Act_3:10 and ekthambos in Act_3:11
2. amazement
a. ekstasis, Luk_5:26; Act_3:10; Act_10:10; Act_11:5; Act_22:17
b. existçmi, Luk_2:47; Luk_8:56; Luk_24:22; Act_2:7; Act_2:12; Act_8:9; Act_8:11; Act_9:21; Act_10:45; Act_12:16
God's love and acts always cause amazement (these Greek words were used in the Septuagint for fear and awe of God, cf. Gen_15:12; Exo_23:27; Deu_28:28).