Acts 3 2

Acts 3:2 kjv

And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

Acts 3:2 nkjv

And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple;

Acts 3:2 niv

Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts.

Acts 3:2 esv

And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple.

Acts 3:2 nlt

As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple.

Acts 3 verses

Acts 3 2 Meaning

Acts 3:2 introduces a specific individual: a man who had been physically disabled, specifically lame, since his birth. He was regularly carried and placed at a particular entrance to the Temple in Jerusalem, known as the Beautiful Gate. His sole purpose for being there daily was to appeal for charitable donations (alms) from those entering the Temple precinct to worship. This verse sets the stage for a profound divine intervention, highlighting human limitation and the routine of dependency just before God's extraordinary power is demonstrated.

Acts 3 2 Context

Acts 3:2 immediately follows Acts 3:1, which states that Peter and John were on their way to the Temple for the traditional ninth-hour (3 PM) prayer. This sets the specific time and location of the encounter. The broader chapter context reveals that this meeting at the Beautiful Gate leads to the miraculous healing of the lame man, Peter's subsequent sermon explaining the healing as a demonstration of the power of the resurrected Jesus, and the subsequent stir among the temple authorities. It is the first major public miracle performed by the apostles after Pentecost, establishing the continuity of Christ's healing ministry through His disciples and serving as a powerful witness to His resurrection.

Historically, Jerusalem's Second Temple (Herod's Temple) was a grand complex, serving as the spiritual, cultural, and often social hub for Jewish people. Daily prayers were a core part of Jewish piety, attracting many worshippers. It was also common for beggars, like this man, to position themselves at the entrances to the Temple courtyards, knowing that pious Jews would engage in acts of almsgiving, which was considered a vital part of righteousness and mercy (Deut 15:7-11). The "Beautiful Gate" (Ὡραία Πύλη, Hōraia Pylē) was likely the Nicanor Gate, celebrated for its exquisite Corinthian bronze, making it a prominent and busy entrance between the Court of the Women and the Court of the Israelites. This magnificent architectural beauty starkly contrasted with the profound human brokenness represented by the lame man seeking charity.

Acts 3 2 Word analysis

• And (δέ - de): A connecting particle, often indicating continuation or slight contrast. Here, it simply connects the narrative to Peter and John's walk to the Temple (Acts 3:1), establishing a sequence of events.
• a certain man (ἄνδρα τινὰ - andra tina): Denotes a specific but unnamed individual. The focus is not on his personal identity initially, but on his condition and subsequent miracle, highlighting that God works through anyone in need.
• lame (χωλός - chōlos): Refers to being crippled or unable to walk due to a deformity or injury of the foot or leg. In the Old Testament, such physical blemishes often prevented a person from serving as a priest (Lev 21:18) or approaching the altar. Here, it signifies complete physical helplessness and social marginalization.
• from his mother’s womb (ἐκ κοιλίας μητρὸς αὐτοῦ - ek koilias mētros autou): Emphasizes the congenital nature of his lameness. This detail is crucial, highlighting that his condition was not acquired through accident or illness but present from birth. It underscores the impossibility of natural healing and sets the stage for a clearly miraculous, divine intervention (cf. Jn 9:1 for a man blind from birth). It speaks to God's foreknowledge, as the man's condition was set before he was born.
• was carried (ἐβαστάζετο - ebastazeto): Imperfect passive verb. Indicates a continuous, ongoing action in the past. This wasn't a one-time event; it was his regular routine. It demonstrates his utter dependence on others for mobility and existence.
• whom they laid daily (ὃν ἐτίθουν καθ' ἡμέραν - hon etithoun kath' hēmeran): Again, imperfect verb construction for "laid" and the phrase "daily" reinforce the habitual, unchanging routine of his life. His existence was defined by this pattern of being brought to the gate, implying persistence in his need and perhaps a compassionate effort from those who cared for him.
• at the gate of the temple (πρὸς τὴν θύραν τοῦ ἱεροῦ - pros tēn thyran tou hierou): "Temple" (ἱερόν - hieron) refers to the entire Temple precinct, not just the sanctuary itself. Placing him "at the gate" suggests he was strategically positioned where people entered and exited, ensuring maximum exposure for his plea.
• which is called Beautiful (τὴν λεγομένην Ὡραίαν - tēn legomenēn Hōraian): Hōraia means "beautiful" or "opportune/timely." This specific designation for the gate contrasts sharply with the man's physical condition. The outer splendor of the Temple (and its gate) highlights the inner suffering and brokenness just outside. It is also an ironic contrast between external piety and genuine internal need.
• to ask alms (τοῦ αἰτεῖν ἐλεημοσύνην - tou aitein eleēmosynēn): "Alms" (eleēmosynēn) directly translates to "mercy" or "pity," referring to the act of charitable giving derived from compassion. His life was devoted to begging for mercy in the form of material aid from religious individuals entering a holy place. This was his sole means of survival.
• of them that entered into the temple (παρὰ τῶν εἰσπορευομένων εἰς τὸ ἱερὸν - para tōn eisporeuomenōn eis to hieron): This highlights his specific target audience: the devout worshippers, presumed to be generous and compassionate due to their religious practice and proximity to sacred space.

• Words-Group analysis:
• "a certain man lame from his mother's womb": This phrase immediately establishes the severity and inherent nature of his disability. It underscores a life marked by congenital, irremediable infirmity, setting the stage for a truly miraculous intervention. His identity is defined by his deep-seated brokenness, requiring a divine rather than human solution.
• "was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple": This combination highlights his utter helplessness and dependence, coupled with a consistent, desperate routine. It speaks of a life fixed in one spot, defined by expectation of charity from others. It is a profound picture of human limitation and persistent, unfulfilled longing.
• "the gate... which is called Beautiful, to ask alms": The powerful juxtaposition here is intentional. A place of splendid beauty (Beautiful Gate) contrasted with profound human brokenness and poverty. His daily activity of "asking alms" further solidifies the contrast between the grandeur of human achievement (Temple architecture) and the grim reality of human suffering that even religious institutions might only passively observe or alleviate through minimal charity. It sets the scene for a moment where true, divine "beauty" (healing, wholeness) will overshadow the physical.

Acts 3 2 Bonus section

• The lameness "from his mother's womb" implies not only that the man had never walked, but also that his condition was a well-known, established reality to many who frequented the Temple. This makes the subsequent miracle even more undeniable as a public testimony to God's power.
• The name "Beautiful Gate" (Ὡραία Πύλη, Hōraia Pylē) also has the connotation of "opportune" or "timely." In a subtle way, his waiting there daily became an "opportune" moment for Peter and John, and for the demonstration of Christ's power, marking a timely intervention in his long-suffering life and the burgeoning mission of the early church.
• The man’s long-standing disability and public visibility at the Temple gate prefigure the powerful evidence the apostles could present in court (Acts 4:16, 21), where his healing served as irrefutable proof of their message about Jesus. He moved from being an object of pity to a living testimony.
• This encounter highlights that the Church's mission is not solely about providing charity (which is good), but also about delivering spiritual and physical transformation through the power of Jesus Christ. The healing demonstrated that God's plan went beyond merely sustaining life; it offered new life and purpose.

Acts 3 2 Commentary

Acts 3:2 concisely portrays a scene of routine desperation and spiritual juxtaposition. The unnamed lame man, burdened by a congenital disability, represents a widespread reality of human brokenness and reliance. His daily placement at the "Beautiful Gate" creates a potent symbolic tension: the aesthetic splendor of man-made worship contrasting with a raw, undeniable need for divine intervention in the life of an individual on the fringes. He sought merely physical provisions (alms) to survive another day, underscoring a life of perpetual begging and physical stagnation. This mundane ritual of giving and receiving charity sets the audience's expectation for a small exchange, but the impending encounter with Peter and John will radically redefine what true "giving" means, revealing that God offers not merely subsistence but radical restoration. The verse therefore effectively builds anticipation for a miraculous event that transcends earthly limitations and conventional charity, directing attention towards God's power to make whole.