3:2 who was lame from birth This description underscores the seemingly irreversible nature of the man’s condition, with which he had suffered for more than 40 years (Acts 4:22).

every day People would have been familiar with the man, which further establishes the public nature of the miracle of his healing.

gate of the temple called “Beautiful” Possibly the Nicanor Gate, which separates the Court of Women from the Court of the Israelites.

3:3 to receive alms Having no prior relationship with the disciples, the lame man treats them like everyone else (compare v. 2).

3:6 in the name Peter is careful to note that his miracle is truly done by Jesus; in doing so, he expresses Jesus’ nature, character, and power.

Jesus Christ the Nazarene See note on 2:22.

3:7 his feet and ankles Luke, who is a physician, observes the specific way Jesus’ power works instantly to overcome the man’s lifelong disability.

3:8 praising God The man attributes his healing to God, testifying to the divine power of Jesus.

3:10 they recognized Luke (the narrator) has already established the familiarity of local people with the once lame, but now healed, man. The people in the temple clearly grasped that a miracle had taken place; there was no doubt about its authenticity.

astonishment Although the crowd knew God had acted to heal this man, they were unsure of the significance of the event. Their curiosity and questions facilitate Peter’s sermon (vv. 11–26).

3:11 portico called Solomon’s A shaded area along the eastern wall of the Court of the Gentiles. It was used for commerce, teaching, and conversation. Acts later records that Christians sometimes gathered there (5:12).

3:12 by our own power or godliness Peter focuses on the power and authority of Jesus, not on any supernatural abilities that may be attributed to the apostles.

3:13 The God of Abraham The phrase recalls God’s covenant promises to Abraham and faithfulness to Israel, including making Israel a great nation, and blessing the entire world (Gen 12:1–3; Exod 3:6; 1 Kgs 18:36).

servant The Greek word used here, pais, may allude to the Suffering Servant mentioned in Isa 52:13.

whom you handed over and denied Peter recalls the betrayals that occurred during Christ’s trial and execution—and his audience’s implication in them—not many days earlier in Jerusalem (Matt 20:19; Luke 23:1).

3:14 the Holy and Righteous One Isaiah frequently describes God as the Holy One to show God’s distinctive character as well as Israel’s guilt in being unfaithful to Him (e.g., Isa 1:4; 5:24; 10:17). By giving to Jesus the title Isaiah uses for God, Peter implies the Messiah’s divine character and status.

3:15 originator The Greek term used here, archēgos, can mean “leader,” “prince,” or “source” (compare Acts 5:31). Jesus is not only the servant of God, but the master of life from whom everyone receives their meaning and to whom all owe allegiance.

raised Although in their rebellion the people had crucified the only one who could give them life, Jesus’ resurrection proclaims that God’s grace has the final word.

witnesses The apostles and the broader Christian community are commissioned by Jesus to testify continually to His resurrection and its implications. Compare Acts 1:8; Isa 43:10.

3:16 faith that is through him This could mean either that the man understood what Peter’s words meant and placed his faith in Jesus, or that he placed his hope in the promise inherent in Peter’s words and was given faith through Jesus (compare Matt 17:20).

3:17 you acted in ignorance Peter acknowledges that his fellow Jews did not have complete knowledge of their actions in crucifying Jesus—while he does not excuse their sin, he does desire to show them God’s mercy by offering them pardon in Jesus and calling them to repentance and faith (compare Luke 23:34).

your rulers Peter’s claim that the leaders were wrong and in need of repentance will later draw their anger (Acts 4:1–2).

3:18 the prophets Peter speaks broadly of the ot attesting to the Messiah’s suffering (compare 2:30). He has alluded primarily to Isaiah throughout his sermon (see v. 14 and note; compare Psa 22).

Jesus’ Fulfillment of Old Testament Prophecy Table

fulfilled Isaiah 53:12 speaks of the suffering and death of the Messiah (the Suffering Servant) being in Yahweh’s will. Peter is likely drawing on this passage, since he is still elaborating on his point in Acts 3:17 that the crucifixion of Jesus was ultimately in God’s will—and that in Jesus even those who wrongly killed Him may find salvation.

3:19 repent The call to repentance is always included in the gospel message. Acts emphasizes the essential place of repentance in embracing the salvation Christ offers. See 2:38.

Repentance

3:20 refreshing The Greek word used here, anapsyxis, refers to rejuvenation, recalling ot promises of the restoration of all creation in the days when God’s kingdom comes (e.g., Gen 49:10–11; Isa 11:1–10; Joel 3:17–21; Mic 4:1–8). Those who repent will take part in God’s renewal of the world (compare Rom 8:22; Rev 21).

3:21 heaven Jesus reigns at the right hand of God the Father (Acts 2:33–34; compare Psa 110:1) while awaiting the time when He will return to judge the world and restore all things (Acts 1:6–7, 11; compare Matt 24).

3:22 The Lord God will raise Peter quotes from Deut 18:15, where Moses establishes the nature of the prophetic office: The prophet is the one through whom Yahweh speaks to His people with authority and effectiveness.

3:23 will be destroyed utterly Moses stresses the people’s accountability to hear and obey the prophet as one who speaks on behalf of Yahweh Himself.

3:24 from Samuel and all those who followed Peter affirms what Jesus had told His disciples after His resurrection: that the ot Scriptures testify to Him (Luke 24:25–27, 44–47).

these days Peter notes that the prophets spoke of the Messiah, Jesus, and the time He is currently living in—when the Holy Spirit would be poured out and the day of final judgment for all of humanity would be imminent (Joel 2:28–31).

3:25 sons Stresses the privileged position of Israel to receive the word of God and to inherit the benefits of God’s gracious covenant promises to Abraham (Gen 12:1–3, 15; 17:1–21).

offspring The Greek word used here, sperma, often translated “seed” or “offspring,” can refer to a singular descendant or to someone’s descendants as a collective whole.

3:26 his servant A reference to the Suffering Servant prophesied by Isaiah (Isa 42:1–9; 49:1–12; 50:4–10; 52:13–53:12). See note on Acts 3:13.

sent him to you first Peter shows the responsibility that his fellow Jews have because they received Yahweh’s covenant and the Messiah came to them.