Acts 3:11

And as he held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering.

'AS HE HELD PETER AND JOHN'-'Held them firmly' (Vincent p. 460). 'in his joy and gratitude' (Gr. Ex. N.T. p. 107) 'he wished all to know to whom he was indebted for his great blessing' (Boles p. 56)

'ALL THE PEOPLE RAN TOGETHER UNTO THEM'-A huge crowd now gathers around these three individuals.

'PORCH THAT IS CALLED SOLOMON'S'-'Along the whole eastern side of the temple enclosure was. porch or roof extending from the top of the wall back into the temple area. This roof was held up by two rows of columns, 37 feet high. The whole porch was 60 feet wide...These huge covered porches would provide protection for the worshippers during the rainy season and shade during the hot summer months..It was called "Solomon's Porch" because when the temple was rebuilt by Zerubbabel, fragments of Solomon's temple were used in the construction of this porch.' (Reese pp. 156-157)

McGarvey notes: 'They contained space sufficient for the great multitude of the disciples when assembled in one mass; and also for many separate meetings of large numbers to listen to different preachers speaking at the same time. All the twelve apostles might be preaching in them at the same hour, each to. large audience, and yet be far enough apart to avoid confusion of sound.' (p. 52) The early church used these porches (Solomon's being only one), to meet in (Acts 5:12; Acts 2:46). Jesus had also used these covered areas as places in which to teach (John 10:23). The roof that covered these porches was made of cedar.

'GREATLY WONDERING'-'full of amazement' (NASV)

Point to Note:

'Just as the Pentecost event had been the text for his first sermon, so the cripple's healing became the text for his second.' (Stott p. 91) 'The crowd of wondering spectators thronged them, and when they reached Solomon's colonnade, Peter had. large audience ready to listen to anything he might say. If the spiritual significance of the miracle escaped many in the crowd..Peter had an excellent opportunity to making it plain to them.' (Bruce p. 87)

We again see that the miracles were used to open doors for preaching (John 3:2; John 5:36).

PETER'S SERMON: