Acts 3 4

Acts 3:4 kjv

And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.

Acts 3:4 nkjv

And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, "Look at us."

Acts 3:4 niv

Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!"

Acts 3:4 esv

And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, "Look at us."

Acts 3:4 nlt

Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, "Look at us!"

Acts 3 verses

Acts 3 4 Meaning

This verse describes a pivotal moment where Peter, accompanied by John, directs his complete and focused attention on the lame beggar. Peter then issues a direct command to the man, telling him to look intently at them. This action serves to redirect the beggar's attention from his usual expectation of alms to the apostles themselves, preparing him for an extraordinary divine intervention, not a financial handout. It highlights Peter's decisiveness and the initial step in a sequence of events leading to a miraculous healing.

Acts 3 4 Context

Acts chapter 3 begins with Peter and John, two prominent apostles, going to the temple for the traditional hour of prayer in the afternoon (the ninth hour, 3 PM). At the Beautiful Gate, they encounter a man who had been lame from birth, customarily brought there daily to beg for alms from those entering the temple. Verse 4 details Peter's direct interaction with this beggar. The verse is crucial as it marks the shift from the beggar's passive begging to an active encounter with the apostles, initiated by their intense focus and Peter's command, which immediately precedes the miraculous healing described in the following verses (Acts 3:6-8). This incident highlights the apostles' power given by Christ and the immediate demonstration of the Spirit's presence in the early church, proving their authority to declare the Name of Jesus.

Acts 3 4 Word analysis

• And (δὲ - de): This common Greek conjunction connects actions or clauses. Here, it signifies a continuation or a slight shift in focus, linking Peter's immediate action to the previously mentioned encounter.

• fixing his gaze (ἀτενίσας - atenisas): This is the aorist active participle of atenizo. The verb atenizo implies an intense, fixed, unblinking stare; a look of sustained and unwavering attention. It suggests profound concentration, expectation, or discernment. Luke, the author of Acts, uses this word frequently to denote significant moments where intense focus leads to revelation, a spiritual experience, or a crucial interaction. It signifies that Peter wasn't casually glancing but was deliberately engaging with the beggar, implying that he perceived something more than just a request for money – perhaps a leading of the Holy Spirit, or an opportunity for a display of divine power.

• on him (εἰς αὐτὸν - eis auton): This phrase emphasizes the direct object of Peter's intense gaze: the lame man. It points to a personalized, focused interaction rather than a general observation of the crowd.

• with John (σὺν Ἰωάννῃ - syn Ioanne): This phrase highlights John's presence as a witness and fellow participant in the apostolic ministry. While Peter speaks and acts, John is explicitly noted as being alongside, reinforcing the united front and shared authority of the apostles in their ministry, as well as providing corroboration.

• Peter said (ἔλεγεν - elegen): The imperfect tense of lego (to say) here can imply that Peter was in the act of saying, or that he was beginning to speak, signaling the immediate start of his address to the man. It denotes the direct, verbal initiative taken by Peter, the leader and spokesperson.

• 'Look at us' (Βλέψον εἰς ἡμᾶς - Blepson eis hēmas):

  • Look (Βλέψον - Blepson): This is an aorist active imperative from blepō. It is a command for an immediate, definite action – "Look now!" or "Pay attention to us!" It's not a suggestion but a directive. This command serves to break the beggar's typical routine and shift his expectation.
  • at us (εἰς ἡμᾶς - eis hēmas): This directive forces the beggar to lift his eyes from his usual gaze at passersby's feet (expecting alms) to the faces of Peter and John. It redirects his focus from the conventional source of help (money) to the unexpected source (the apostles representing Christ's power). This commanded gaze becomes the prerequisite for what Peter will announce, cultivating expectation not for alms but for what they truly have to offer.

• "And fixing his gaze on him": This phrase communicates Peter's deliberate, Spirit-led focus. It's more than casual observation; it's a preparatory act for the manifestation of God's power. It shows Peter’s spiritual sensitivity and readiness to act on divine impulse.

• "Peter said, 'Look at us'": This command establishes immediate contact and shifts the power dynamic. It sets up the following exchange, where the apostles offer something profoundly different from the man's usual expectations, demanding his attention and implicit trust.

Acts 3 4 Bonus section

The act of "fixing one's gaze" (atenizo) in Scripture often precedes a significant spiritual event or revelation. It signifies more than just seeing; it implies discerning, comprehending, or being prepared for an extraordinary encounter with the divine. For instance, Stephen fixes his gaze on heaven and sees the glory of God (Acts 7:55); Cornelius fixes his gaze on an angel (Acts 10:4). Peter's intense gaze here prepares both him and the beggar for the miracle, serving as a powerful demonstration of discerning God's will and acting upon it with confidence. It underscores that spiritual ministry often requires not just general observation but deeply focused and spiritually sensitive attention to individuals and circumstances.

Acts 3 4 Commentary

Acts 3:4 describes the critical pre-miracle encounter between Peter and John and the lame beggar. Peter’s action of "fixing his gaze" (ἀτενίσας - atenisas) upon the man is highly significant. It implies a moment of profound concentration, an inner discernment led by the Holy Spirit, recognizing not just a disabled man but an opportunity for God to manifest His power and confirm the message of the resurrection. This intense look suggests Peter was not acting on a whim but with divine purpose and focused intent. The inclusion of "with John" subtly reinforces the apostles' unity and the collective nature of their ministry under the Spirit. Peter's direct command, "Look at us," served as a deliberate redirection of the beggar's focus. He was accustomed to people looking down at him and dropping coins into his hand. Peter commanded him to look up and engage, to shift his expectation from a temporal offering of money to an eternal display of divine power. This command created the necessary space for the beggar's faith to be stirred and his attention captured, setting the stage for the miraculous healing through the Name of Jesus.