Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, _being_ the ninth _hour_. Ver. 1. _At the hour of prayer_] The Jews had their _stata precibus tempora, _ set hours of prayer. See Psalms 55:17; Daniel 6:10; Acts 10:3; Acts 10:30 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; Ver. 2. _To ask alms_] This ought not to have been suffered, Deu 15:7-8 There might not be a beggar in Israel. But a... [ Continue Reading ]
Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. Ver. 3. _Asked an alms_] The Dutch beggars ask not, but look pitifully.... [ Continue Reading ]
And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. Ver. 4. _Look on us_] Together with this word there went forth a power, as Luke 5:17 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Ver. 5. _Expecting_] God was better to him than his expectation. God presseth kindness upon his suitors, and heapeth it upon them, as Naaman upon Gehazi, 2 Kings 5:22,23 .... [ Continue Reading ]
Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. Ver. 6. _Silver and gold have I none_] The newelected pope, in his solemn Lateran procession, must take copper out of his chamberlain's lap, and scatter it among t... [ Continue Reading ]
And he took him by the right hand, and lifted _him_ up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. Ver. 7. _His feet and ankle bones_] "The Lord raiseth them that are crooked," but (as a further favour, and far better than that former) "he loveth the righteous," Psalms 146:8, as he... [ Continue Reading ]
And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. Ver. 8. _Into the temple_] There to hang up his crutches, as it were. _ Walking and leaping_] Weak Christians are commonly most affectionate, as this cripple when first cured leaped... [ Continue Reading ]
And all the people saw him walking and praising God: Ver. 9. _Praising God_] Not the apostles. We may pay the messenger, but return thanks chiefly to the sender.... [ Continue Reading ]
And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him. Ver. 10. _And they knew_] There could be therefore no collusion.... [ Continue Reading ]
And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering. Ver. 11. _Held Peter and John_] Fearing perhaps lest, if he should lose them, he should lose his limbs again. So that demoniac,Mark 5:18 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And when Peter saw _it_, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? Ver. 12. _Why look ye_] We are ready to pay our rent to a wrong landlord.... [ Continue Reading ]
The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let _him_ go. Ver. 13. _Denied him_] Crying out, We have no king but Caesar, John 19:15 ;... [ Continue Reading ]
But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; Ver. 14. _But ye denied_] This he again beats upon, and drives home to the head.... [ Continue Reading ]
And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. Ver. 15. _And killed_] Wherein they were but our workmen, Zechariah 12:10 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. Ver. 16. _And his name_] That is, Christ himself, as God's name is often put for God's self.... [ Continue Reading ]
And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did _it_, as _did_ also your rulers. Ver. 17. _I wot that through ignorance_] Peter excuseth not their fact, but thus far forth mitigateth it, that it was not the sin against the Holy Ghost, which can never be forgiven. This must be carefully cauti... [ Continue Reading ]
But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled. Ver. 18. _By the mouth of all his prophets_] All the prophets spake but with one mouth; such a sweet consent and happy harmony there is in all their writings, as if done... [ Continue Reading ]
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; Ver. 19. _Repent and be converted_] The first word comprehendeth contrition and confession. The second, faith and reformation. The first, repentance for s... [ Continue Reading ]
And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Ver. 20. _Preached unto you_] Or handed to you, or put into your hands, προκεχειρισμενον .... [ Continue Reading ]
Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. Ver. 21. _Whom the heavens must receive until, &c._] Note this against the Ubiquitaries, whose error was first broached by Gerson, about the... [ Continue Reading ]
For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. Ver. 22. _Like unto me_] 1. A man, as I Amo 2:1-16. A prophet, and more than a prophet, the archprophet, to wh... [ Continue Reading ]
And it shall come to pass, _that_ every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. Ver. 23. _Shall be destroyed_] As it justly befell the refractory Jews; wrath came upon them to the uttermost, 1 Thessalonians 2:16 .... [ Continue Reading ]
Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days. Ver. 24. _All the prophets_] The prophet Isaiah especially, who speaks more like an evangelist than a prophet, and is therefore called the "evangelical prophet" (Jerome).... [ Continue Reading ]
Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Ver. 25. _Ye are the children_] Here he comforts them, being now cast down.... [ Continue Reading ]
Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities. Ver. 26. _To bless you_] Ephesians 1:3 .... [ Continue Reading ]