Acts 3 Acts 3:1–11 The lame man healed by Peter and John. Acts 3:12–26 Peter declares to the people that this cure was not wrought by any power or holiness in himself or John, but by the power of God through faith in the name of Jesus, whom they had ignorantly crucified, but whom God had raised…

Went up together into the temple; not to communicate with the Jews in their worship, which was now antiquated, but that they might have a larger field to sow the seed of the gospel into; and therefore it was most probably upon some sabbath or festival day, and not unlikely in the evening of that…

Lame from his mother’s womb, and not by any casualty, that so the miracle might be the greater, and the power of the God of nature appear. They laid daily; by which it was manifest, that it could not be by any correspondence between the apostles and the lame man upon this occasion.

Seeing, though lame: every one hath something that is truly valuable, and matter of praise and thanks unto God.

The eye affects the heart, and speaks the compassion he had of this poor man, whom he did not disdain thoroughly and seriously to behold: he excites the lame man’s expectation, and requires his attention, that he might the more mind the manner and means of his cure, and be the better prepared to…

Gave heed, with his eyes and mind too, being intent upon the apostles; this he was commanded to do, and it succeeds beyond all hopes. Thus we receive of God daily more than we can ask or think.

Silver and gold have I none; that is, at hand, or about me; neither had he much elsewhere; the apostles abounded indeed, but in grace, not in riches. Such as I have; a power from Christ to heal. Give I thee; I apply it to thee, and will make it effectual for thee.

He took him by the right hand; not disdaining to take hold of a poor cripple or beggar; as also being fully persuaded of Christ’s presence with him for his cure.

Thus was fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, Isa. 35:6, Then shall the lame man leap as an hart; and thus the lame man manifested that he was perfectly cured, though in an instant, walking, and leaping, and praising God, to whom alone he attributed that sudden and perfect (and therefore miraculous)…

This miracle was so publicly done, that none could deny the matter of fact; which the enemies of the gospel are forced to confess, Acts 4:16.

They knew that it was he; the very same lame beggar, probably notoriously known to many. They were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him; being so much contrary to what they had seen him but a little while before, when he had begged their alms; and, as he reasoned…

Held Peter and John, in an ecstasy of thankfulness unto them, they having been the instruments of so great a mercy from God towards him; as also out of fear, lest when they were gone he might relapse: he that found so great a change in himself could not but be as much surprised as they that saw the…

He answered, for he said, an ordinary Hebraism, though no question was put unto him: thus the evangelist tells us that our Saviour answered and said, when there was no previous question spoken of, Matt. 11:25.

The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob; he mentions them, because the promise of the Messiah was made to them, Hath glorified his Son Jesus; or his servant, for so also he is called, Isa.

But ye denied the Holy One; Christ the anointed, when they cried out as with one voice, We have no king but Caesar, John 19:15; disclaiming our Redeemer, and his being anointed over them.

The Prince of life; as God, he is the Author of our temporal life too, in whom we live, and move, &c., and in whose hand is our breath; but Christ, as Mediator, is the guide and way to eternal life, John 14:6.

His name; his power; for by it he is known, as men or things are by their several names; or the name of Christ is put for Christ himself, as the name of God is put for God commonly.

Lest the corrosive in Acts 3:13–15 should pierce too far, to prevent despair in his auditors the apostle useth in this verse a lenitive, calling them yet brethren, though guilty of so great a mistake in their judgment, and fault in their practice.

The prophets did all speak the same things, as if they had spoken out of one mouth, as they did speak by one Spirit. God used the ignorance of some, and the malice of others, for his own holy ends: and that it was prophesied that Christ should suffer, is very plain, Isa. 1:5–7.

Repent ye therefore, and be converted; this is the true end, use, and application, both of the preceding miracle and sermon, to persuade unto repentance and conversion.

To remove all evils and miseries from his people; when that Sun shines all clouds and mists are scattered. This refers especially to Christ’s second coming, which is here promised, to encourage us to do good, and to deter us from doing evil; as also to move us to repentance, and to comfort us when…

Whom the heaven must receive; that is, contain after it hath received him, as a real place doth a true body; for such Christ’s body was, which was received into heaven: and heaven is the palace and throne of this King of kings and Lord of lords, where he shall reign until he hath put all his…

For Moses truly said unto the fathers; their ancestors in the wilderness, Deut. 18:15, as also in the Deut. 18:18. St. Peter names here but one of their prophets, but a most remarkable one. Like unto me; 1. In wisdom. 2. In miracles. 3. In being a Mediator between God and his people. 4.

Every soul; that is every one. Hear that prophet; that is believe and obey him. Shall be destroyed from among the people; as those that disobeyed Moses were destroyed, many perishing by strange and sudden deaths: we read of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, and all that belonged to them, swallowed up for…

Though there were some prophets betwixt Moses and Samuel, yet they were but such as prophesied in some particular exigences and cases; and in Samuel’s days the word of the Lord was precious, or rare, 1 Sam.

Children of the prophets; the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, are called prophets, Ps. 105:15, and did prophesy, foretelling things to come, &c. The disciples of the prophets are also called their children, or sons, 2 Kings 2:3; and so these pretended and desired to be accounted.

Unto you first; the Jews and inhabitants of Jerusalem, who are the lost sheep of the house of Israel. St. Peter did not yet know, that the Gentiles should be called, until he was taught it by the vision, Acts 10; and though our Saviour had told the apostles that they should be his witnesses unto…