Acts 3:1 kjv
Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.
Acts 3:1 nkjv
Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.
Acts 3:1 niv
One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer?at three in the afternoon.
Acts 3:1 esv
Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.
Acts 3:1 nlt
Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o'clock prayer service.
Acts 3 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lk 1:8-10 | "Zechariah ... executing the priest's office before God... the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense." | Priestly service/people praying in Temple |
| Lk 24:53 | "And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God." | Disciples habitually in the Temple |
| Acts 2:46 | "And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple..." | Early church's regular Temple attendance |
| Acts 5:42 | "And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ." | Continued public teaching in Temple |
| Isa 56:7 | "for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people." | Temple as a place of prayer |
| Jer 7:11 | "Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers...?" | Critique of Temple misuse (echoed by Jesus) |
| Ps 122:1 | "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord." | Joy in going to the Temple |
| 1 Ki 8:29-30 | "that thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day...hearken thou to the supplication of thy servant..." | Temple as a place for prayer to be heard |
| Dan 6:10 | "Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house... his windows being open... and he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed..." | Example of habitual, fixed-time prayer |
| Ps 55:17 | "Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud..." | Daily fixed times of prayer |
| Acts 2:15 | "For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day." | Third hour prayer time context |
| Acts 10:3 | "He saw in a vision...about the ninth hour of the day..." | Cornelius praying at the ninth hour |
| Acts 10:9 | "Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour." | Peter praying at the sixth hour |
| Mt 27:45-46 | "Now from the sixth hour there was darkness...about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice..." | Christ's death at the ninth hour |
| Mk 15:34 | "And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice..." | Christ's death at the ninth hour |
| Lk 22:8 | "And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover..." | Peter and John paired for important tasks |
| Jn 20:3-4 | "Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre...that other disciple did outrun Peter..." | Peter and John together at the tomb |
| Acts 4:13 | "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John...they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus." | Peter and John known for boldness |
| Acts 8:14 | "Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John..." | Peter and John sent out together |
| Mt 6:6 | "But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet...and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." | Prayer as private devotion |
| Phil 4:6 | "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." | General instruction on prayer |
| 1 Th 5:17 | "Pray without ceasing." | Constant prayer |
Acts 3 verses
Acts 3 1 Meaning
Acts 3:1 describes Peter and John, two prominent apostles, routinely ascending to the Temple in Jerusalem to participate in the communal prayers. This specific moment, identified as "the ninth hour" (approximately 3 PM), was a customary time for Jewish afternoon worship and the daily evening sacrifice. The verse sets the scene for a significant miracle and subsequent apostolic sermon, demonstrating the early church's initial continued adherence to Jewish customs and institutions as a bridge for proclaiming the Messiah.
Acts 3 1 Context
This verse is pivotal, transitioning from the foundational event of Pentecost in Acts 2 to the dynamic growth and demonstration of apostolic power in Acts 3 and 4. Chapter 2 described the coming of the Holy Spirit, the formation of the church, and its early communal life, characterized by regular Temple attendance and house-to-house fellowship (Acts 2:46). Acts 3:1 initiates the narrative of the first major public miracle performed by the apostles after Pentecost – the healing of a lame man, which then directly precipitates Peter's powerful sermon and the first significant confrontation with Jewish authorities (Acts 4). It underscores that the early believers, though filled with the Spirit and practicing a new faith in Christ, did not immediately abandon their Jewish religious heritage but integrated their new convictions within existing structures, using them as venues for ministry and witness. The Temple, for them, remained a house of prayer and a vital center of public life in Jerusalem.
Acts 3 1 Word analysis
- Now: (Greek: de) Functions as a transitional particle, indicating a natural progression or a slight change in narrative focus from the general activity of the early church (Acts 2:42-47) to a specific incident involving two apostles. It bridges the accounts, demonstrating continued normal life and devotion leading to an extraordinary event.
- Peter and John: These two apostles are frequently mentioned together, often playing prominent roles. Peter, the established leader and spokesman, and John, the "beloved disciple," shared a close relationship with Jesus and now, post-Pentecost, form a powerful team. Their pairing suggests shared ministry and a combined spiritual authority.
- went up together: (Greek: anebainon homothumadon) Anebainon is imperfect tense, suggesting habitual or repeated action, though here referring to a specific instance. Homothumadon signifies "with one mind" or "in one accord." This isn't just coincidental co-location; it implies intentional unity, common purpose, and harmonious fellowship. It underscores their synchronized devotion.
- into the temple: (Greek: eis to hieron) Refers to the Temple precinct, the larger complex including courtyards and porticos, not just the inner sanctuary (naos). This was the common gathering place for worship, teaching, and social interaction for Jews. Their attendance demonstrates their continued Jewish identity and provides a public forum for their ministry.
- at the hour of prayer: The custom of fixed hours for prayer was deeply rooted in Jewish tradition (e.g., Ps 55:17, Dan 6:10). This indicates their participation in the established religious observances, reinforcing their connection to their heritage and showing they were not abandoning their roots but infusing existing practices with new meaning in Christ.
- being the ninth hour: (Greek: tes horas tes enates) Approximately 3:00 PM (Jewish time counts from 6:00 AM). This was the time of the evening sacrifice (minchah) and a significant communal prayer time. It's noteworthy that this hour is often associated with a momentous event in Christian history – the approximate time of Jesus' death on the cross (Mt 27:45-46). Their act of prayer at this hour implicitly connects their present experience with Christ's past sacrifice, from which their power now flows.
Acts 3 1 Bonus section
The term "ninth hour" not only specifies the time of day but carries a profound Christological resonance. The Jewish Mishna specifies three hours of prayer: the third hour (around 9 AM), the sixth hour (noon), and the ninth hour (around 3 PM). The third hour marked the time the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost (Acts 2:15). The ninth hour, where Peter and John go to pray, notably aligns with the hour of Christ's death on the cross (Matt 27:45-46; Mark 15:34). This timing can be seen as highly significant, as the apostles were heading to prayer at the very hour their Messiah completed His atoning work, the foundation upon which their miraculous power now rested. It subtly connects their empowered ministry back to the crucifixion, indicating that the new life and power they manifested originated from the completed work of Christ.
Acts 3 1 Commentary
Acts 3:1 provides the immediate context for one of the New Testament's most dramatic healing narratives. It reveals the apostles were not abandoning their Jewish heritage post-Pentecost but were deeply integrated within it. Their routine act of devotion – going to the Temple at the prescribed hour of prayer – set the stage for a divine intervention. This underscores that often, the miraculous unfolds not in grand, pre-planned events, but amidst the faithful consistency of daily spiritual discipline. The Temple was still "the house of prayer," a place where the Living God could manifest Himself, now through His Spirit in the apostles. Peter and John's unified participation in this traditional ritual highlights the early church's seamless transition from Old Covenant observance to New Covenant empowerment, showing that true spiritual power can emerge from acts of simple obedience and routine faithfulness within the fabric of everyday life. This event then became a profound testimony to Christ's resurrection, leading to thousands more coming to faith.