Acts 3 11

Acts 3:11 kjv

And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering.

Acts 3:11 nkjv

Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon's, greatly amazed.

Acts 3:11 niv

While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon's Colonnade.

Acts 3:11 esv

While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon's.

Acts 3:11 nlt

They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon's Colonnade, where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John.

Acts 3 verses

Acts 3 11 Meaning

Acts 3:11 describes the immediate aftermath of the miraculous healing of the lame man at the Temple gate called Beautiful. The formerly lame man, now healed, demonstrated his exuberant joy and profound gratitude by clinging tightly to Peter and John. This public display of his complete restoration, coupled with the profound astonishment of all the people who witnessed it, drew a massive crowd. Overwhelmed with wonder at this undeniable divine intervention, the onlookers converged rapidly on Peter, John, and the healed man, gathering in the public space known as Solomon's Portico within the Temple precincts. This spontaneous assembly set the stage for Peter's powerful declaration of the Risen Christ.

Acts 3 11 Context

Acts chapter 3 follows immediately after the events of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2, where the Holy Spirit empowered the apostles and thousands were added to the church. This chapter narrates the first public miracle performed by Peter and John, highlighting the continued manifestation of God's power through the apostles. Peter and John were going to the Temple for the afternoon prayer time (the ninth hour, 3 PM). They encountered a man, lame from birth, begging at the Beautiful Gate. Instead of alms, Peter, invoking the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, commanded the man to walk. The man was instantly healed and, in joy and praise, entered the Temple with them. Verse 11 describes the public reaction to this dramatic miracle, as the healed man remained physically close to the apostles, amplifying the impact of the miracle on the astonished crowd gathered in a significant public space within the Temple, Solomon's Portico. This sets the stage for Peter's extensive sermon (Acts 3:12-26) which connects the healing to Jesus Christ's resurrection and calls the people to repentance.

Acts 3 11 Word analysis

• While he clung to: (Greek: κρατούς, from krateo). This verb denotes a firm, continuous grip. It is not merely holding on for support but expressing deep emotion, affirmation, and solidarity. The man's clinging emphasized the reality and permanence of his healing, showing he was not leaving the source of his new life. It underscores his testimony to the miracle.
• Peter and John: These are key apostles chosen by Jesus. Peter often serves as the spokesman for the group, while John is a close associate. Their partnership here exemplifies apostolic unity and shared divine power.
• all the people: (Greek: πᾶς Gr: pas and λαός Gr: laos). "All" emphasizes the vast number and the universal witness of the miracle, underscoring its undeniable public nature. "The people" (often referring to the Jewish nation or a distinct group) highlights the impact on God's chosen people, in their sacred space, the Temple.
• utterly astounded: (Greek: ἔκθαμβοι, from ekthambeomai). This Greek term implies profound amazement, even to the point of awe and bewilderment. It is a stronger word than simply "amazed," indicating an overwhelming, public, and involuntary reaction to something truly incredible, which disrupts their ordinary understanding. It suggests a sense of divine presence and power.
• ran together: (Greek: συνέδραμον, from syndrecho). Implies a swift, spontaneous convergence. The crowd's immediate and collective movement reflects their eagerness to see and understand the incredible event unfolding. This rapid assembly creates a large, receptive audience.
• to them: Referring to Peter, John, and implicitly the healed man himself, who served as living proof of the miracle.
• in the portico called Solomon's: (Greek: στοᾷ Σολομῶνος, stoa Solomonos). This specific location was a prominent covered walkway on the eastern side of the outer court of the Jerusalem Temple. It was a well-known public gathering place for discussion, teaching, and prayer. Its name invoked the great King Solomon, adding historical and religious significance. This space was chosen by divine providence, providing an ideal, central venue for Peter's subsequent sermon, where the Gospel message could reach a wide Jewish audience directly.

Acts 3 11 Bonus section

The act of the healed man "clinging" (κρατούς) is distinct from simply accompanying or following. It implies an intimate and protective grip, suggesting not only gratitude but also perhaps a reluctance to let go of the channels through whom God's power was manifested. This deep bond emphasizes the reality of his transformed state and his witness. The public setting of "Solomon's Portico" highlights the contrast between the Old Covenant worship traditions of the Temple and the new, Spirit-filled demonstration of God's power. It foreshadows the continued conflict between the emerging Christian movement and the established Jewish religious leadership, which would later challenge the apostles in this very setting (Acts 4:1-22). The phrase "all the people" underlines the sheer scale and widespread nature of the event, confirming it as an irrefutable miracle witnessed by a diverse, yet united by wonder, segment of Jerusalem's population. This widespread witnessing contributes to the strong basis for Peter's powerful and conviction-laden sermon that follows.

Acts 3 11 Commentary

Acts 3:11 serves as a critical bridge between the miracle of the lame man's healing and Peter's subsequent sermon. The healed man's exuberant "clinging" to the apostles signifies more than just physical support; it is a visible, personal testament to the transformative power he experienced through Jesus Christ's name. His action is a public witness, showcasing the authenticity of his healing and associating it directly with Peter and John, and by extension, the authority of Christ working through them. The intense "astonishment" of "all the people" underscores the profound impact and undeniable nature of the miracle. This was no subtle event, but a public, dramatic display that seized the attention of the populace in a way that compelled them to "run together." The designated location, "Solomon's Portico," is highly significant. It was not merely a random gathering place, but a revered space within the Temple precincts, familiar to all Jewish worshippers. For Peter to preach Christ's resurrection in this specific, hallowed ground was a powerful statement – reclaiming the heart of Jewish faith for its true Messiah. This convergence of a genuine miracle, undeniable public reaction, and a divinely appointed location provided the perfect environment for the apostolic preaching, demonstrating that God was moving in mighty ways to confirm the message of the resurrected Jesus. It showcases God's pattern of using public wonders to draw people to hear His word, preparing hearts for the truth of the Gospel.Example: Much like the spontaneous gathering when a natural disaster's victims are miraculously saved, the people in Jerusalem rushed to witness an undeniable sign of divine power, ready to hear explanation and hope.