_Now Peter and John_, &c. We are not informed when the fact here recorded took place; but it is probable it was during the days of the feast of pentecost, and while the city was still full of people; _went up to the temple_ Probably to seek an opportunity of preaching to the people, as well as to of... [ Continue Reading ]
_And a certain man_ Well known, it appears, by those who frequented the temple; _lame from his mother's womb, was carried_ Thither by the help of others, being unable to walk, through a weakness in his ankles; _whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple, called Beautiful_ This gate, which was be... [ Continue Reading ]
_Who, seeing Peter and John, asked an alms_ As it seems he did of all who entered in at the gate where he sat begging: an alms was the utmost he expected from them or any others. _And Peter, fastening his eyes on him, with John_ That is, looking steadfastly at him, feeling, doubtless, a strong emoti... [ Continue Reading ]
_And all the people_ Who were there present; _saw him walking_ In the court of the temple; _and_ heard him _praising God_ In this uncommon ecstasy of delight; _and they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate_, &c. He had sat there so long, that they all knew him; and for that r... [ Continue Reading ]
_And when Peter saw it_ When he saw a crowd of people collected together, and found that they were exceedingly affected with the miracle that had been wrought, he took that favourable opportunity to preach Christ unto them, especially as the temple was the place of their concourse; thus sowing the s... [ Continue Reading ]
_And now, brethren_ A word full of courtesy and compassion; _I wot_ That is, _I know:_ here he speaks to their hearts; _that through ignorance ye did it_ Which lessened, though it could not annihilate, the guilt of your conduct; _as did also your rulers_ The prejudice lying from the authority of the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Repent ye, therefore_, &c. Let it, therefore, be your principal and immediate care to secure an interest in the benefits procured by his death; and in order thereto, repent of this and all your other iniquities; _and be converted_ That is, be turned from sin and Satan to God, (chap. Acts 26:20,) in... [ Continue Reading ]
_For Moses_ The first of these prophets, whose writings have come down to us; _truly said unto the fathers_ In his early days; _A prophet shall the Lord raise up unto you_ Namely, in after times; _of your brethren_ Of the posterity of Jacob; (see the note on Deuteronomy 18:15;) _like unto me_ And th... [ Continue Reading ]
_Yea, and all the prophets_ That succeeded Moses, particularly _from Samuel, have likewise foretold these days_ The days of the Messiah, which, by the singular favour of God to you, ye are now so happy as to see. _Ye are the children of the prophets_ You are the descendants of that people, among who... [ Continue Reading ]