Acts 3
More Than Silver and Gold
A man who has never walked is healed through the name of Jesus. When a crowd gathers, Peter points away from himself and calls the people to turn to the risen Savior.
Walking Through Acts 3
A Man at the Gate (Acts 3:1-5)
1 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time for prayer, at three o’clock in the afternoon. 2 And a man lame from birth was being carried up, who was placed at the temple gate called “the Beautiful Gate” every day so he could beg for money from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple courts, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked directly at him (as did John) and said, “Look at us!” 5 So the lame man paid attention to them, expecting to receive something from them.Acts 3:1-5 · NET Bible
Peter and John go to the temple at the afternoon prayer hour, about three o’clock. At a gate called Beautiful, they meet a man who has been unable to walk since birth. Others carry him there each day so he can ask those entering for money. Giving to people in need was an important part of Jewish life, so this was a natural place to seek help. Peter and John stop and look directly at him. Peter asks for his attention, and the man expects a gift. I don’t want us to rush past this meeting. Before the crowd gathers or the sermon begins, two followers of Jesus stop for one person in need. This man is not just part of the scenery.
Strength in the Name of Jesus (Acts 3:6-10)
6 But Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, stand up and walk!” 7 Then Peter took hold of him by the right hand and raised him up, and at once the man’s feet and ankles were made strong. 8 He jumped up, stood and began walking around, and he entered the temple courts with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 All the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and they recognized him as the man who used to sit and ask for donations at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, and they were filled with astonishment and amazement at what had happened to him.Acts 3:6-10 · NET Bible
Peter has no silver or gold to give, but he speaks with the authority of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. He tells the man to walk and takes him by the hand. At once, the man’s feet and ankles become strong. He stands, walks, and enters the temple with Peter and John, praising God. Luke makes the change clear: the man everyone knew as a beggar is now walking and jumping. The people recognize him and are filled with wonder. This is not Peter performing a trick or using a special phrase. Jesus is alive and working through His servant. The man’s praise goes to God, where it belongs. We should not turn this event into a promise that every illness will end at once. It shows the power and mercy of the risen Jesus.
The Power Belongs to Jesus (Acts 3:11-16)
11 While the man was hanging on to Peter and John, all the people, completely astounded, ran together to them in the covered walkway called Solomon’s Portico. 12 When Peter saw this, he declared to the people, “Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this? Why do you stare at us as if we had made this man walk by our own power or piety? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our forefathers, has glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over and rejected in the presence of Pilate after he had decided to release him. 14 But you rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a man who was a murderer be released to you. 15 You killed the Originator of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this fact we are witnesses! 16 And on the basis of faith in Jesus’ name, his very name has made this man—whom you see and know—strong. The faith that is through Jesus has given him this complete health in the presence of you all.Acts 3:11-16 · NET Bible
The healed man stays close to Peter and John as a crowd gathers in Solomon’s Portico, a covered walkway at the temple. Peter quickly corrects their thinking. Neither his own power nor his goodness made this man walk. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob has honored Jesus, His servant. Peter then speaks plainly about the crowd’s rejection of Jesus. They had denied the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be released instead. They killed the author of life, but God raised Him from the dead. Peter and the other apostles are witnesses. These words address the people before Peter; they are not grounds for blaming Jewish people in every age. Peter finishes by naming the true source of the healing: Jesus. The man’s strength came through faith in Him, not through the greatness of the apostles.
An Open Door to Turn Back (Acts 3:17-21)
17 And now, brothers, I know you acted in ignorance, as your rulers did too. 18 But the things God foretold long ago through all the prophets—that his Christ would suffer—he has fulfilled in this way. 19 Therefore repent and turn back so that your sins may be wiped out, 20 so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and so that he may send the Messiah appointed for you—that is, Jesus. 21 This one heaven must receive until the time all things are restored, which God declared from times long ago through his holy prophets.Acts 3:17-21 · NET Bible
Peter calls his listeners brothers and recognizes that they and their leaders acted without fully knowing what they were doing. That does not make their sin harmless. Yet even their rejection did not defeat God’s plan. God had foretold through the prophets that His Messiah, His promised King, would suffer. Now Peter calls them to repent, which means turning from sin and returning to God. Their sins can be wiped away. I see great grace here: the people who rejected Jesus are offered forgiveness through Him. Peter also speaks of refreshment from God and the future return of Jesus. Heaven receives Jesus until the time when God brings about the promised restoration, when He sets things right. The chapter looks beyond one healed body to God’s larger work. His mercy meets sinners now, and His promises reach into the future.
The Promise Becomes a Blessing (Acts 3:22-26)
22 Moses said, ‘ The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers . You must obey him in everything he tells you . 23 Every person who does not obey that prophet will be destroyed and thus removed from the people .’ 24 And all the prophets, from Samuel and those who followed him, have spoken about and announced these days. 25 You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your ancestors, saying to Abraham, ‘ And in your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed .’ 26 God raised up his servant and sent him first to you, to bless you by turning each one of you from your iniquities.”Acts 3:22-26 · NET Bible
Peter connects Jesus with the words of Moses, who promised that God would raise up a prophet like him. The people must listen to this prophet. Refusing Him brings the serious judgment of being cut off from God’s people. Peter adds that Samuel and the prophets who followed also spoke about these days. Jesus is not a break from God’s promises to Israel. He is their fulfillment. Peter’s listeners belong to the people who received the prophets and God’s covenant, His binding promise. God told Abraham that all families on earth would be blessed through his offspring. That blessing now comes through Jesus. God sent His servant to Israel first, but the promise reaches all nations. Notice how Peter describes the blessing: Jesus turns people away from their wicked ways. God’s love does more than ease pain. It frees people from the sin that harms them.
- Name — Here, the name of Jesus points to who He is and His authority, not a magic phrase.
- Repent — Turn away from sin and return to God.
Where are you tempted to take credit for something that should lead you to thank Jesus?
Father, thank You for the mercy You give through Jesus. Help me notice people in need and serve with a humble heart. Turn me from sin, and let my words and actions point others toward Your Son. Amen.