The First Healing
Acts 3:1–10
Overview
The apostles are empowered, the Spirit has come, and the first expression of the church is underway. Thousands of people are risking persecution and following the way of Jesus, and even more are being added to their numbers daily. At this point, the church is vastly made up of poor, working class people. The church at this time was advanced and the gospel was spread from people who worked full-time. This means that most ministry being done was done when the believers were not working. Or, it could have been that the believers took risks at their place of employment and shared the good news with people there.
We finally move into the portion of the narrative where the church starts moving and acting. Any preliminary item or introductory story has already been given, and there is nothing left for the church to do now other than “go.” It is quite powerful, then, that the first story we have recorded for us now that the church is in motion is a miraculous healing performed by Peter.
Background
Temple — The fact that the disciples were actively attending temple could be telling of their current understanding of Jesus’ sacrifice. It is likely that they were still offering sacrifices at the temple, as the Christology that we have today — that Jesus was the perfect sacrifice for us leaving no need for animal sacrifices — was not yet available to them.
Beautiful Gate — It is hard to say which gate this “Beautiful Gate” is referring to. However, it seems most likely that it is referring to the Nicanor Gate. This gate was very unique, as it was made from Corinthian bronze, whereas other gates had a gold and/or silver overlay. Again, it is challenging to know where this gate was specifically located in the city, but most likely women and the lame were not allowed to enter through this gate. A lame bagger would’ve had an increased probability of receiving a donation at this gate, since those who were able to enter might’ve had pity on him. “In the East it was the custom for beggars to sit begging at the entrance to a temple or a shrine. Such a place was, and still is, considered the best of all stances because when people are on their way to worship God, they are disposed to be generous to their fellow men.” (Barclay)
Charity — “Begging alms at a public places was common in antiquity, although other peoples do not stress charity as the Jewish people did. In Judaism only those who could not work made their living this way, but charity was highly regarded, and the lame or blind would not have to go hungry, especially if they were near the temple. Congenital infirmities were thought harder to cure than others.” (Keener)
People
John — Luke writes that John was with Peter, and this could mean either John Mark or John, the son of Zebedee. Theophilus would have assumed this was John, the son of Zebedee, as he has been the only John mentioned in reference to Peter and James thus far in the narrative.
Lame Man — To say that somebody was lame from the womb is to say that they were that way since birth, and this would disqualify them from being able to participate in Temple/worship activities. He was most likely positioned at this point in the city and at this point during the day, 3 PM, to maximize his potential for receiving alms.
Key Ideas
Leap — ἐξάλλομαι (exallomai) is an interesting word used here in this text. It is a rare word within the canon of Scripture. It is used in the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament) in Isaiah 35:6, “then will the lame leap like a deer.” This shows such an incredible power in the miracle of Peter that the man’s feet, ankles, and legs were so completely healed that he was able to jump and bring his entire body weight down on them.
Reference
Luke 5:17–26 — There’s an interesting parallel between Peter’s healing in this passage and Jesus’ healing in Luke 5. In Luke 5, Jesus had just called his new disciples to follow him, and here the church was freshly launched when Peter performed this miracle. Of course, the major difference between this passage and the passage in Luke is that Peter had to call upon Jesus’ name to perform this miracle, whereas Jesus did not need to call on any name, for there is no name greater than his.
“…the similarity between Jesus’ healing of the paralytic and Peter’s healing of the lame man lies less in the healing itself than in the function of these scenes in the larger narrative. In both cases the healing becomes the occasion for a fundamental claim about Jesus’ saving power, emphasizing its importance and general scope (‘on earth,’ Luke 5:24; ‘under heaven,’ Acts 4:12). In both cases the healing leads to proclamation of a saving power that goes beyond physical healing. In both cases the claim is made in the face of new opposition and is directly related to the mission announced in the Scripture quotation in the inaugural speech.” (Tannehill)
Possible Discussion Ideas
- “And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John.” Where do we direct our gaze, toward the marginalized or away?
- “But what I do have I give to you.” We may not have money to give people, but we do have the ability to care for them, love them, and if we are moved by the Holy Spirit, to heal them. Do we give the Holy Spirit away freely, or do we hold on to him and keep him a secret?
- “And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.” Such an incredible occurrence such as a healing, would spark wonder and amazement in anyone. It might be unhealthy to compare ourselves to what the Holy Spirit did in the apostles, but we can see what the Spirit is capable of and evaluate our own lives. Do we leave people in wonder at the words we say, the thoughts we think, the way we handle ourselves, the places we serve, the people we minister, and (maybe) the miracles we perform?
