Acts 3:3 kjv
Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.
Acts 3:3 nkjv
who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms.
Acts 3:3 niv
When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money.
Acts 3:3 esv
Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms.
Acts 3:3 nlt
When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money.
Acts 3 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 3:1-2 | "Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried..." | Sets the scene for Peter and John encountering the man at the temple. |
| Acts 3:6 | "Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”" | Direct response to the request for alms; contrasts expectations with divine provision. |
| Prov 19:17 | "Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed." | Theological basis for almsgiving. |
| Matt 6:2-4 | "Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you... your Father who sees in secret will reward you." | Instruction on the motive and practice of almsgiving. |
| Lk 12:33 | "Sell your possessions and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old..." | Exhortation to generosity and almsgiving. |
| Acts 20:35 | "In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’" | Christian principle of giving and helping the weak. |
| Rom 15:26 | "For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem." | Practical example of early church almsgiving. |
| 2 Cor 9:7 | "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." | Principles of joyful giving. |
| Deut 15:7 | "If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother." | Old Testament command for care for the poor. |
| Ps 41:1 | "Blessed is the one who considers the poor; in the day of trouble the Lord delivers him." | Blessing promised for compassion towards the poor. |
| Isa 58:7 | "Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?" | Prophetic call to social justice and caring for the needy. |
| Zech 7:9-10 | "Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor..." | Divine expectation for justice and compassion. |
| Jas 2:15-16 | "If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?" | Emphasizes active demonstration of faith through helping the needy. |
| 1 Jn 3:17 | "But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?" | Connects love for God with practical love for brothers in need. |
| Lk 16:3 | "...What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I have not the strength to dig, and I am ashamed to beg..." | Shows begging as a last resort for the impoverished. |
| Mk 10:46-47 | "...Bartimaeus, a blind beggar... when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out..." | Another instance of a physically challenged individual begging by a public way. |
| Matt 10:1 | "And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction." | Jesus empowering His disciples for miraculous works, including healing. |
| Jn 14:12 | "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father." | Jesus' promise that believers will continue His work, including signs and wonders. |
| Acts 2:43 | "And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles." | Confirmation of the apostles performing wonders as a normal part of the early church. |
| Acts 5:12 | "Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles." | Further evidence of apostolic miracles. |
| Lk 18:10 | "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector." | Demonstrates the temple as a customary place for prayer, where beggars would naturally position themselves. |
Acts 3 verses
Acts 3 3 Meaning
Acts 3:3 describes a man, who had been lame from birth, observing Peter and John approaching the temple's Beautiful Gate and subsequently asking them for charitable donations. This verse establishes the setting and the man's initial request, which serves as a pivot point for the unfolding miracle and the apostles' proclamation of Jesus Christ.
Acts 3 3 Context
This verse is situated immediately after the introduction of Peter and John's regular practice of going to the temple for prayer at the ninth hour (3 PM), a customary time for daily Jewish prayer. It then introduces the specific individual central to the narrative: a man who had been lame from birth and was habitually placed at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple to beg for alms. Acts 3:3 describes the point of interaction, setting the stage for the dramatic healing that follows and the subsequent opportunity for Peter to preach the gospel to the gathered crowd, highlighting the power of Jesus Christ. This incident demonstrates the early church's continued participation in Jewish life and worship while showcasing the new power bestowed by the Holy Spirit.
Acts 3 3 Word analysis
- Who (Ὃς - Hos): Refers to the "man lame from birth" mentioned in Acts 3:2. This emphasizes his singular, recognized identity within the scene; he wasn't just a beggar, but the beggar habitually positioned there.
- seeing (ἰδὼν - idōn): A Greek aorist participle, indicating a completed action that precedes or accompanies the main verb. The man actively perceived Peter and John. His "seeing" initiates his "asking." It denotes a purposeful act of observation, a prerequisite for his request.
- Peter and John: These two apostles were prominent figures among Jesus' closest disciples and were now leaders in the early church. Their presence signified apostolic authority and continuity with Christ's ministry. Their shared presence suggests a deliberate and perhaps common ministry approach.
- about to go (μέλλοντας εἰσιέναι - mellontas eisienai): This phrase indicates they were on the verge of entering, not merely passing by. The man seized an opportune moment. This proximity highlights that the encounter was not random but directly in the path of the apostles' regular spiritual activity.
- into the temple (εἰς τὸ ἱερόν - eis to hieron): The Temple was the spiritual and social center for devout Jews. It was a common place for the poor and sick to beg, as large crowds gathered for worship, offering a greater chance for charitable giving. This setting underlines the apostles' continued connection to Jewish customs, where the miracle would gain immediate attention and verification.
- asked (ἠρώτα - ērōta): The Greek imperfect tense signifies a continuous, repeated, or habitual action. This wasn't a one-time request but typical behavior for him, reflective of his ongoing state of need and reliance on public charity. It conveys the familiar plight of the beggar.
- an alms (ἐλεημοσύνην - eleēmosynēn): From eleos meaning "mercy." It refers to a charitable gift or relief for the poor, often given out of pity or compassion. In Jewish tradition, tzedakah (righteousness/charity) was a fundamental religious obligation, a manifestation of piety. The man sought a handout, the typical and expected provision for his condition. He desired what his world had always taught him was possible from sympathetic passersby.
Acts 3 3 Bonus section
The positioning of the lame man at the "Beautiful Gate" (Acts 3:2) is significant. This gate, believed to be adorned with rich Corinthian bronze, was not only visually impressive but likely the main or most frequently used public entrance to the outer courts of the Temple, making it an ideal place for a beggar to encounter many pious individuals entering for prayer and sacrifices. This geographical detail heightens the public nature of the miracle and the beggar's prominent visibility to the community. The act of begging itself reflects a society without a robust social welfare system, where charity was largely individualized and religiously motivated. The man's constant asking underscores the duration of his affliction ("lame from birth") and the depth of his need.
Acts 3 3 Commentary
Acts 3:3 vividly captures a moment of stark contrast between human expectation and divine intervention. The lame man, accustomed to his daily routine of begging, identifies Peter and John, two ordinary-looking men heading for prayer, and makes his habitual plea for "alms." His request for financial aid, rooted in a life of chronic dependency and physical limitation, reflects his understanding of the help available in his world. He sought the common mercy of a coin, a transient relief from his physical need, consistent with the prevalent charitable practices of the time. The very act of asking signifies his condition of destitution and reliance on others. This pivotal interaction sets the stage for God's infinitely greater and unexpected provision, not merely a temporary alms, but a complete restoration of his body, surpassing anything he could have conceived or asked for, revealing the profound power inherent in the Name of Jesus.