Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Acts 3:16

καὶ ἐπὶ τῇ πίστει κ.τ.λ., and on the ground of faith in His name, His name hath made strong this man whom ye see and know. This use of name = power, and even as an absolute equivalent for God, is very Jewish; cf. Acts 4:12. The usage grew out of such passages as Psalms 106:8, ‘He saved them for His name’s sake.’ In the literature of the Jews great power was attributed to the name of God even when only inscribed, e.g. as it was said in tradition to have been on the rod of Moses. By this power he is reported to have wrought the miracles in Egypt and in the wilderness. But St Peter’s language here explains that it is no such power of which he is now speaking, for the name of Jesus does not work the miracle per se, but only because of the faith of the believer.

For ἐπί = on account of, cf. Luke 5:5, ἐπὶ τῷ ῥήματί σου χαλάσω τὸ δίκτυον = on account of thy bidding. See Winer-Moulton, p. 491, who explains it as = ‘induced by.’

ἡ πίστις ἡ δι' αὐτοῦ. Cf. the same Apostle’s words (1 Peter 1:21), τοὺς δι' αὐτοῦ πιστοὺς, ‘you who through Him are believers.’ Christ is ‘the author and finisher of our faith.’

ὁλοκληρίαν, complete soundness. The word occurs in the LXX. Isaiah 1:6, οὐκ ἕστιν ἐν αὐτῷ ὁλοκληρία. Also in later Greek writers, as Plutarch.

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Acts 3:16

Old Testament

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