Acts 3

1. Peter and John. Peter and John, associated by our Lord among His more intimate companions, appear to have been united by a peculiar friendship. See viii. 14; Luke xxii. 8; John xx. 3; xxi. 7-20.

2 was carried. Lit., “was being carried.” Being brought daily to this public spot he had become widely known.

called Beautiful. This is supposed to be the gate described by Josephus (Wars, v. 5, § 3; Antiq. xv. 11, § 3), constructed chiefly of Corinthian brass; on the eastern side of the Temple looking towards the valley of Kedron, and opening into the Court of the Women.

6 of Nazareth. Rather, “the Nazarene.” The apostolical miracles were all performed in reliance on the authority and promise of Jesus (Mark xvi. 17, 18; John xiv. 12).

7 his feet and ankle bones. Rather, “his soles and ankles.”

8 leaping. This was peculiarly wonderful, as he had been lame from his birth; and we all have to learn to walk and stand.

11 the porch (portico) that is called Solomon’s. See note on John x. 22. This porch looked towards the rising sun, and was therefore a warm and sunny spot, a usual promenade or public walk, especially in winter (G. T. Stokes). In the afternoon, the time here referred to, it would doubtless be somewhat cooler.

12 at this. Probably, “at this man” (R.V.), though thing is a possible rendering.

13. Son. Rather, “Servant” (and so in ver. 26, and iv. 27, 30); a prophetic appellation of the Messiah (see Isa. xiii. 1; lii. 13; liii. 11). Another word is used where Jesus is spoken of as the “Son of God.”

when he was determined to let Him go. That is, “had determined” judicially and formally. See note on John xviii. 31. The circumstances which aggravated their guilt are here convincingly dwelt upon.

14 the Just. By the judgement of Pilate and your own consciences.

15 the Prince. Or, “the Author,” as in Heb. xii. 2; the same word also occurs (Heb. ii. 10), “Captain of their salvation.”

16. His name, etc. The “name” often stands for the person in all his attributes and offices. “On account of (our) faith in His name; this man, whom ye see and know, His name (He Himself) made strong.” And “the faith which is by (through) Him, hath given him,” etc.—faith wrought also in the mind of the cripple.

17 ignorance. Our Lord’s own prayer for the Roman soldiers (Luke xxiii. 34) encourages the hope of forgiveness to those who “know not.” Their sin is not like that of wilful and determined violation of their own convictions: see xiii. 27; 1 Cor. ii. 8; 1 Tim. i. 13, 14.

18. Christ. Rather, “the Christ.” See Luke xxiv. 26, and note.

19 be converted. Lit. (as R.V.), “turn again”; i.e., to God (Isa. vi. 10; Matt. xiii. 15).

when the times of refreshing shall come, etc. Rather, as R.V., “that so there may come seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send the Christ who hath been before appointed for you, even Jesus,” etc. You have long looked for the divinely predicted times of revival and “restoration of all things” under your Messiah (see Deut. xviii. 15, quoted in vers. 22, 23; Isa. xxv. 1, 6; xxvi. 1, 19; Ezek. xxxvii. 1-14, etc., and notes; and ep. Luke i. 70); but they must be preceded by your personal repentance and conversion to Him (Hosea xiv.; Zech. xii. 10) who has been exalted to heaven, there to complete His restoring work. When the repentance has become general, the restoration will soon be fulfilled: see Rom. xi. 25-32.

22,23. See Deut. xviii. 15-19; Lev. xxiii. 29; John i. 21. The quotation is not verbally exact; and in ver. 23 the more specific punishment of exclusion from God’s people (see Gen. xvii. 14, and note) is substituted for the general threat.

24. Samuel. The next great prophet after Moses, and the first of a long succession who foretold the coming of Messiah.

25 children of the prophets. That is, the heirs of the promised blessings, under the old covenant. Therefore the gospel was preached “first” to the Jews (ver. 26).

in thy seed, etc. See Gen. xii. 3; Gal iii. 16, and notes.

26. His Son. Rather, “His Servant,” as R.V. from his iniquities. This last clause would preclude the fatal and favourite Jewish error, that the patriarchal promises and covenants would be fulfilled to Abraham’s descendants without respect to character.