Acts 3

1 Peter going up to the Temple with John, cureth one born a cripple, 9 whereat the people wondering run together, 12 whom Peter informs that this work was not done by his (own) but by the power of Jesus Christ, 14 whom they had put to death, and who was risen from the dead. 17. Comforts them, and exhorts them to repentance. 20 that by him, who is now in heaven, and from thence shall come again, 23 according to the testimony of Moses, 24 and all the Prophets, 25 they might receive the blessing of Abraham.

1. Now Peter and John went up to the Temple together, about the hour of prayer, [Namely in which besides prayers, the daily Evening-sacrifice was also offered up. See Exodus 29:38, 39.] being the ninth (hour.) [namely after Sun-rising, to wit, when that hour was now ended, agreeing with our third hour after noon. See John 11:9. Acts 2:15.]

2. And a certain man, [Namely, of above fourty years old, Acts 4:22.] who was a cripple from his mothers womb, was carried, whom they daily set at the door of the Temple called the beautifull, [This was one of the gates of the Court, and as it seems the great gate which stood towards the East, so called for its beauty and costliness. See Joseph.antiq.lib.15.cap. 14.] to desire an alms [to let the poor beg was by God forbidden amongst his people, Deuteronomy 15:4.so that this also was a sign, that at that time the Laws of God were very much faln to decay amongst the Jews] of those that went into the Temple.

3. Who seeing Peter and John, as they were about to enter into the Temple, intreated that he might receive an alms.

4. And Peter looking strongly upon him with John, said, look on us.

5. And he kept (his eyes) on them, expecting to receive something. [That is, some alms.]

6. And Peter said, silver and gold I have not: but that which I have that I give thee, in the name of Jesus Christ [That is, by Christs command and power, or trusting on the promises and power of Christ] of Nazareth, [see Matthew 2:23.] arise and walk.

7. And taking him by the right hand, he lift (him) up, and straightway hie feet [Gr.baseis, i.e.foundations, for the feet are as the foundation on which the body rests, stands, and is born] and ankles were firm.

8. And he leaping up, [That is, not only arising, but for a token of being perfectly cured, and of joy, leaping up. See Esa. 35. 6.and Acts 14:10.] stood and walked, and went with them into the Temple, walking and leaping, and praising God.

9. And all the people saw him walk and praise God.

10. And they knew him that it was he, that had sate for an alms at the beautifull gate of the Temple; and they were filled with amazement and astonishment at that which was happened unto him.

11. And as the cripple which was healed held fast (on) Peter and John, [Kept him fast about them, without departing from them] all the people ran together unto them into the Court, which is called Solomons (Court) [That is, which was first built about the Temple by Solomon, and afterwards being laid waste with the Temple, was built up again in the same place, and therefore had kept the name of Solomons. See I Kings 6. 3. John 10:23. Acts 5:12.] being amazed.

12. And Peter seeing (that) answered, [That is, spake] unto the people, ye men of Israel, why wonder ye at this? Or why look ye (so) strongly on us, as if we by our power or godliness, [namely, as if by the same we had deserved this] had made this (man) to walk?

13. The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, [That is, the true God, who revealed himself to these Patriarchs and fore fathers, made covenant with them and their prosterity, and who was known and served by them. See Acts 5:30.and Philippians 2:9.] the God of our Fathers hath glorified, [namely, having raised him from the dead, and taken him unto the highest honour in heaven, and by our ministrey doing such like miracles] his child Jesus [or servant, minister, see Isaiah 53:11.and here v. 6.and Acts 4.v. 27.] whom ye delivered over, and denied him, [namely, that he was your King, John 19:15.] before the face of Pilate. When he judged that he should be realeased.

14. But ye denied the holy, [See Acts 2:27.] and the just (one) and desired that a man, [namely, Barabbas, See Mark 15:7.] who was a murderer, should be given unto you.

15. And ye killed the Prince of Life, [That is, who is the only guide, by his merits and powerfull operations to bring men to eternal life. See Acts 4:12.] whom God hath raised from the dead: whereof we are witnesses. [that is, of which thing, or of which Christ.]

16. And by faith in his name, [Gr.of his name, i.e. seeing he believed in the name of Christ as is expounded in the following (words) See Mark 11:22. Romans 3:22.] hi name [that is, this Jesus Christ himself, in whose name and by whose power this miracle is done] hath strengthened this (man,) [that is, made his feet firm, that he can now stand and goe on the same] whom ye see and know: and the saith that is by him, [or in him] hath given him this perfect soundness, [namely of all his members, which he can now fully make use of] in presence of you all.

17. And now, Brethren, I know, that through ignorance ye did it, [This he saith to comfort them with hope of forgiveness, seeing they had not sinned against the Holy Ghost. See Luke 23:34. John 16:3. 1 Cor. 2. 8. 1 Tim.1. 13.] like as also your Rulers [this must be understood of some of them, whom the Apostle speaketh, 1 Cor. 2. 8.for of some Christ testifieth that they sinned against the Holy Ghost, Matthew 12:30, 31, 32.]

18. But God hath thus fulfilled that which he had before declared by the mouth of all his Prophets, that the Christ should suffer.

19. Amend therefore and he converted, that your sins may be wiped out, when the times of refreshing shall be come, [that is, of the reviving of the faithfull, who are subject to the heat of persecutions in this world, Psalms 66:12. Isaiah 28:12. Jeremiah 6:16.] from the face of the Lord.

20. And he shall have sent Jesus Christ, [Namely, the second time, or in his second coming to judgement] who before was preached unto you. [otherwise, before appointed, ordered, ordained.]

21. Whom the heaven must receive, [That is, having received, retain] until the times of the restitution of all things, [that is, until the day of the general judgement, in which all things which now by reason of sin are subject to vanity, shall be brought to right again, and be restored, Romans 8:20. 2 Pet. 3. 13. Or until all shall be perfectly fulfilled, that was foretold by the Prophets] which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy Prophets, from (every) age. [that is, heretofore in former times, or form the beginning of the ages, John 9:32. Amongst these was Enoch also. Jud.v. 14.]

22. For Moses said unto the Fathers, the Lord your God shall raise unto you a Prophet, [That is, an excellent Teacher, sent by God after a special manner] out of your brethren like unto me, [that is, being like unto me according to the humane nature, and in excellency of especial mission and miracles, yet excelling him also in many things. See Deuteronomy 18:15. Heb, 3.v. 2. 3, 4, 5.] him shall ye hear in all things [Or according to all things] that he shall speak unto you.

23. And it shall come to pass that every soul that shall not have heard this Prophet, shall be rooted out [Or, abolished, destroyed: Moses saith Deuteronomy 18:19. Of him will I require it, i.e. I will punish him, namely, as is here declared, with rooting him out of my people. See Heb. 2.verse 2. 3.] out of the people.

24. And also all the Prophets from Samuel onwards, [Although after Moses before Samuels time there were also some prophets, yet notwithstanding Peter would have us principally to look upon Samuel, & the Prophets which were after him in the time of the kings, and afterwards seeing they prophesied more clearly of Christ. Acts 10:43.] and they that (followed) afterward, as many as have spoken , they have also before declared these daies.

25. Ye are the children of the Prophets, [That is, descended from the prophets.or those to whom the prophets were principally sent] and of the Covenant, [or Testament. See Genesis 17:7. Romans 9:4.] which God made with our Fathers, [or, unto our Fathers] saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all generations [that is, Nations, Genesis 22:18.whereof see the further exposition, Galatians 3:8.] of the earth be blessed.

26. God having raised up [Namely, from the dead: or raised; i.e. sent into the world, Acts 13:22, 23.] his child Jesus, [Or servant minister, see v. 13.] sent the same first unto you, [namely Jews and Citizens of Jerusalem, Acts 13:46.] that he should bless you [namely, with grace in this life, and with glory in that to come] in this, that he turn away every one (of you) from your wickedness. [Or in this that every one of you turn away from his wickednesses. But the first agrees better with the word bless, as also with the like place, Acts5. 31.]