Act 3:1-11 | RWP | e4.org | Were going up ( ανεβαινον ). Descriptive imperfect active. They were ascending the terraces to the temple courts. The ninth ( την ενατην ). Our three o'clock in the afternoon, the time of the evening sacrifice. Peter and John like Paul later kept up the Jewish worship, but not as a means of sacramental redemption. There were three hours of prayer (third, sixth, ninth).

‏ Acts 3:1-11

Were going up ( ανεβαινον ). Descriptive imperfect active. They were ascending the terraces to the temple courts.

The ninth ( την ενατην ). Our three o'clock in the afternoon, the time of the evening sacrifice. Peter and John like Paul later kept up the Jewish worship, but not as a means of sacramental redemption. There were three hours of prayer (third, sixth, ninth).

Was carried ( εβασταζετο ). Imperfect passive, picturing the process as in verse 1.

Laid daily ( ετιθουν καθ' ημεραν ). Imperfect again describing their custom with this man.

Beautiful ( Hωραιαν ). This gate is not so called elsewhere. It may have been the Gate of Nicanor on the east side looking towards Kidron described by Josephus (Ant. XV. 11, 3; War V. 5, 3) as composed chiefly of Corinthian brass and very magnificent.

Asked ( ηρωτα ). Began to ask, inchoative imperfect. It was his chance.

Fastening his eyes ( ατενισας ). First aorist (ingressive) active participle of ατενιζω. For this verb see on Lu 4:20; Ac 1:10. Peter fixed his eyes on the beggar and invited him to look ( βλεψον ) on them.

Gave heed unto them ( επειχεν αυτοις ). Imperfect active of επεχω, to hold to. For the idiom with τον νουν understood see 7:14; 1Ti 4:16. He held his eyes right on Peter and John with great eagerness "expecting to receive something" ( προσδοκων τ λαβειν ). He took Peter's invitation as a promise of a large gift.

In the name ( εν τω ονοματ ). The healing power is in that name (Page) and Peter says so. Cf. Lu 9:49; 10:17; Ac 4:7, 10; 19:27; 16:18.

Walk ( περιπατε ). Present imperative, inchoative idea, begin to walk and then go on walking. But the beggar does not budge. He knows that he cannot walk.

Took him by the right hand ( πιασας αυτον της δεξιας χειρος ). Doric form πιαζω for πιεζω. Genitive of the part affected. Peter had to pull him up on his feet before he would try to walk.

Leaping up ( εξαλλομενος ). Present middle participle, leaping out repeatedly after Peter pulled him up. Only here in the N.T.

He stood ( εστη ). Second aorist active.

Walked ( περιεπατε ). Went on walking, imperfect active. He came into the temple repeating these new exercises (walking, leaping, praising God).

They took knowledge of him ( επεγινωσκον ). Imperfect active, inchoative, began to perceive.

Were filled ( επλησθησαν ). Effective first aorist passive.

At that which had happened ( τω συμβεβηκοτ ). Perfect active participle of συμβαινω.

The Codex Bezae adds "as Peter and John went out."

As he held ( κρατουντος αυτου ). Genitive absolute of κρατεω, to hold fast, with accusative rather than genitive to get hold of (Ac 27:13). Old and common verb from κρατος (strength, force). Perhaps out of gratitude and partly from fear (Lu 8:38).

In the porch that is called Solomon's ( επ τη στοα τη καλουμενη Σολομωντος ). The adjective Stoic ( στοικος ) is from this word στοα (porch). It was on the east side of the court of the Gentiles (Josephus, Ant. XX. 9, 7) and was so called because it was built on a remnant of the foundations of the ancient temple. Jesus had once taught here (Joh 10:23).

Greatly wondering ( εκθαμβο ). Wondering out of ( εκ ) measure, already filled with wonder ( θαμβους, verse 10). Late adjective. Construction according to sense (plural, though λαος singular) as in 5:16; 6:7; 11:1, etc.