Acts 3:10 - A Lame Man Walks

they recognized him as the man
This phrase indicates that the man was a familiar figure to those who frequented the temple. His presence was well-known, suggesting he had been begging there for a significant period. This recognition underscores the authenticity of the miracle, as the people could attest to his previous condition.

who used to sit begging
Begging was a common practice for those with disabilities in ancient times, as there were limited means of support. The man's condition left him reliant on the charity of temple-goers. This setting highlights the social and economic challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in first-century Judea.

at the Beautiful Gate of the temple
The Beautiful Gate is believed to be one of the main entrances to the temple, possibly the Nicanor Gate, which was adorned with Corinthian bronze. Its location was strategic for beggars, as it was a place of high traffic where worshippers entered to pray, making it an ideal spot for almsgiving.

and they were filled with wonder and amazement
The reaction of the people reflects the impact of witnessing a genuine miracle. Such signs were intended to provoke awe and point to the divine power at work through the apostles. This response is consistent with other biblical accounts where miracles lead to amazement and often to faith.

at what had happened to him
The transformation of the man from a beggar to someone who could walk was undeniable evidence of divine intervention. This miracle served as a testament to the power of Jesus Christ working through His apostles, fulfilling the promise of signs and wonders accompanying the spread of the Gospel. It also echoes the messianic prophecies of healing and restoration found in Isaiah, pointing to the kingdom of God breaking into the world.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Peter and John
Apostles of Jesus Christ who were instrumental in the early church's growth. They were on their way to the temple when they encountered the lame man.

2. The Lame Man
A man who had been lame from birth and was known for begging at the Beautiful Gate of the temple. He was healed by Peter in the name of Jesus Christ.

3. The Beautiful Gate
A prominent entrance to the temple in Jerusalem, known for its grandeur. It was a common place for beggars to seek alms from those entering the temple.

4. The Healing Event
Peter, through the power of Jesus Christ, heals the lame man, enabling him to walk for the first time in his life.

5. The Crowd
The people who frequented the temple and recognized the healed man, leading to their amazement and wonder at the miracle.

Teaching Points

The Power of Jesus' Name
The healing of the lame man underscores the authority and power inherent in the name of Jesus. Believers are reminded of the spiritual authority they have in Christ.

Faith and Expectation
The lame man expected to receive something from Peter and John, though he anticipated alms, not healing. This teaches us to approach God with expectation, knowing He can exceed our requests.

Public Testimony
The miracle served as a public testimony to the power of God, leading to wonder and amazement. Our lives should similarly reflect God's work, drawing others to Him.

Transformation and Recognition
The transformation in the lame man's life was evident to all who knew him. Our transformation in Christ should be visible and recognizable to those around us.

The Role of the Church
Peter and John’s actions demonstrate the church's role in ministering to both physical and spiritual needs, pointing people to Christ through acts of compassion and power.

Lists and Questions

Top 10 Lessons from Acts 3What does 'Enter His gates with thanksgiving' mean?How does faith contribute to spiritual and physical healing?Acts 3:2–10: How can this miracle be scientifically explained if the man was lame from birth? Acts 3:11-12: Why is there no external historical or archaeological record of this widely witnessed healing in the Temple?

(10) They knew.--Better, they recognised him that it was he.

Verse 10. - Took knowledge of him for knew, A.V. Wonder and amazement (θάμβος); any very strong emotion of awe, or admiration, or astonishment. It occurs elsewhere only in Luke 4:36, where it describes the awe and amazement which came upon those who witnessed the casting out of the unclean spirit from the man in the synagogue at Capernaum. The verb θαμβέω occurs in Acts 9:6 in the T.R., and is rendered "astonished" in the A.V., but is omitted in the text of the R.V.; elsewhere only in Mark 1:27; Mark 10:24, 32. Ἕκθαμβος occurs once in ver. 11 of this chapter; and ἐκθαμβέομαι in Mark 9:15; Mark 14:33; Mark 16:5, 6; ἔκστασις, an ecstasy, mostly used of a state of transport, as Acts 10:10; Acts 11:5; Acts 22:17. But in the LXX. (Genesis 27:33), Mark 5:42; Mark 16:8; and Luke 5:26, it is used, as here, for a violent emotion of astonishment and amazement. Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

they recognized
ἐπεγίνωσκον (epeginōskon)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1921: From epi and ginosko; to know upon some mark, i.e. Recognize; by implication, to become fully acquainted with, to acknowledge.

him
αὐτὸν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

[as]
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

the [man]
ὁ (ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

who used to sit
καθήμενος (kathēmenos)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2521: To sit, be seated, enthroned; I dwell, reside. From kata; and hemai; to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside.

[begging]
ἐλεημοσύνην (eleēmosynēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1654: Abstr: alms-giving, charity; concr: alms, charity. From eleos; compassionateness, i.e. beneficence, or a benefaction.

at
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

the
τῇ (tē)
Article - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Beautiful
Ὡραίᾳ (Hōraia)
Adjective - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5611: Fair, beautiful, blooming. From hora; belonging to the right hour or season, i.e. flourishing (figuratively).

Gate
Πύλῃ (Pylē)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4439: A gate. Apparently a primary word; a gate, i.e. The leaf or wing of a folding entrance.

of the
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

temple,
ἱεροῦ (hierou)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 2411: Neuter of hieros; a sacred place, i.e. The entire precincts of the Temple.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

they were filled
ἐπλήσθησαν (eplēsthēsan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4130: To fill, fulfill, complete. A prolonged form of a primary pleo to 'fill' (imbue, influence, supply); specially, to fulfil.

with wonder
θάμβους (thambous)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 2285: Astonishment, amazement (allied to terror or awe). Akin to an obsolete tapho; stupefaction, i.e. Astonishment.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

amazement
ἐκστάσεως (ekstaseōs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1611: From existemi; a displacement of the mind, i.e. Bewilderment, 'ecstasy'.

at
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

what
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

had happened
συμβεβηκότι (symbebēkoti)
Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4819: To happen, occur, meet. From sun and the base of basis; to walk together, i.e. Concur.

to him.
αὐτῷ (autō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

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