Acts 3
Peter Heals the Crippled Beggar
1 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer--at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man crippled 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. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!" 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. 6 Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
The lame man was begging at the Beautiful gate. The Beautiful Gate... Part of me says that Peter and John entered the Temple area, using the same gate that they had always used, the gate they would have used when the accompanied Jesus to the Temple. But, as my husband suggests, Jesus would not have used The Beautiful Gate, as He would have wanted to remain inconspicuous up until the end, and may have the thought The Beautiful Gate to pretentious for him to use. In doing some research on this subject, there are dozens of gates... and the appear similar to archways or doors.
It's amazing what you can find when you do some research. I found the following, reference to gates to the Temple:
Gate of the Tribes, Gate of Remission, Gate of Darkness, Gate of Bani Ghanim, Council Gate, Iron Gate, Cotton Merchant's Gate, Ablution Gate, Tranquility Gate, Chain Gate, Moroccans' Gate, Golden Gate, Single Gate, Huldah Gate, Barclay's Gate, Warren's Gate, Coponius' Gate, Kohen Gate, Triple Gate.... some of these are now sealed up as you can see above, some of them, like the Beautiful Gate is not listed here by that name, and some I'm sure just simply aren't there any more.
So... It's possible to that Jesus never went through the Beautiful Gate. I don't think that had He gone through that gate, that he would have left this man paralyzed. I think maybe my husband might be right on this one, Jesus never went through that gate, and thus this man was left for Peter to heal.
Another note, before we move on to the next section. Peter and John were headed to the temple. Why? to Pray. Because they always did. Peter and John, were first and foremost, Jews. Yes, they had received the Holy Spirit, and would spread the word of Christ. BUT at this point in time, it was to the JEWS, to the Israelis, to the members of Jerusalem.
An interesting commentary by J. Vernon McGee, regarding the comment, "Silver or gold I do not have" :
- An incident is told of one of the early saints of the church in Rome who walked in on the pope as he was counting money. Realizing that he had walked in on something which was private, he started to walk out. The pope said to him, "No longer can the church say 'Silver and gold have I none.'" As the saintly man continued walking out, he said, "Neither can the church say to the impotent man, 'Rise up and walk.'"
I am certain many people I know will have issues with this comment, but it just reached a place inside me when I read it, and felt it important enough to share.
Peter Speaks to the Onlookers
11 While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon's Colonnade. 12 When Peter saw this, he said to them: "Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers,has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. 14 You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. 15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. 16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see. 17 "Now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. 18 But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer. 19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20 and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you--even Jesus. 21 He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. 22For Moses said, 'The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. 23 Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from among his people.' 24 "Indeed, all the prophets from Samuel on, as many as have spoken, have foretold these days. 25 And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, 'Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.' 26 When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways."
I feel in my heart that Law and Grace are companions, neither side can see the whole picture without both parts, the camera AND the film.
Shalom and God Bless You!
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