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Acts 3:12-16

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

12. And when Peter saw [it], he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? 13. The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let [him] go. 14. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; 15. And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. 16. And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

Acts 3:12-16 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Acts 3:12

Theological / Devotional

Why marvel ye? This is similar to the angel’s question, “Why stand ye gazing?” (ch. 1:11). In both places the idea is that the witnesses of the miracle should not be so amazed at the event as they obviously were.

Why look ye so earnestly on us? Literally, “on us why do you gaze?” (see on ch. 1:10). No common men like Peter and John, but only a divine power, should be credited with the miracle.

Holiness. Rather, “piety,” or “devotion.” Peter’s words bring to mind the popular theory that if a man is sufficiently devout, God will hear him, and great results will follow (see John 9:31). Here the apostle rejects any such idea. No purity of his own would have availed Peter; only the power of God manifested in the name of Jesus of Nazareth could do the work.

By SdaBc