Acts 3:12
And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Peter immediately redirects the crowd's amazement, not just from himself and John, but from the very idea that human "power" or "piety" could accomplish such a miracle. He's emphasizing that the crowd's intense focus on them is misguided, pushing them to see that their own greatness isn't the source of this healing.
Immediately after healing a man who had been lame from birth, Peter sees a crowd gathering, full of astonishment. He seizes this moment not to accept their awe, but to redirect their attention, addressing them directly to clarify that the miracle wasn't performed by their own strength or religious merit. This sets the stage for his sermon, where he'll explain that all glory belongs to Jesus Christ, whom they had rejected.
Miracles grab our attention, but who gets the spotlight? Peter’s immediate reaction to the crowd's amazement reveals a crucial spiritual principle.
Peter steps in as soon as he sees the crowd's astonishment. He understands that people naturally fixate on the 'wow' factor and the people behind it. The danger isn't in marveling at the miracle itself, but in directing that wonder towards the messengers rather than the Message.
Misdirected Wonder
Peter’s words point to two things people might mistakenly attribute to himself and John: 'power' and 'piety'. What does this distinction teach us about God's work in the world?
Peter clarifies that the healing wasn't due to their own 'power' or 'piety'. These represent two distinct ways we might wrongly credit ourselves or others for God’s actions.
The Source of True Ability
Understand the original words
dynamis · Greek Noun
The supernatural capacity or efficacy to accomplish acts; in a biblical context, it is often contrasted with human ability to emphasize that miracles come from God.
eusebeia · Greek Noun
Refers to devoutness, religious excellence, or godly character; often denotes one's dedicated relationship and behavior toward God.
Peter's immediate redirection of the crowd's awe from himself and John to the power of Jesus highlights the early church's struggle against attributing divine power to human merit and the intentional focus on glorifying Christ.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Healing of the Lame Man
Peter and John, on their way to the temple, encounter a man lame from birth. Peter, in the name of Jesus Christ, heals him, causing a crowd to gather in amazement.
c. 30 AD
Peter's Sermon at the Temple
Following the healing, Peter preaches to the astonished crowd, explaining that the miracle was performed by the power of Jesus, whom they had rejected. He calls them to repentance.
c. 30 AD
Arrest of Peter and John
The temple authorities, disturbed by the teaching and the growing following of Jesus' disciples, arrest Peter and John.
c. 30 AD
Trial Before the Sanhedrin
Peter and John are brought before the Sanhedrin, where Peter boldly testifies about Jesus' resurrection and the authority by which they performed the healing.
This verse echoes Peter's sentiment that all glory and power belong to God alone, stating 'I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I will not give to another.'
John 3:30Peter redirects the attention from himself and John to Jesus, aligning with John the Baptist's humble declaration, 'He must increase, but I must decrease.'
1 Corinthians 1:27-29This passage emphasizes God's tendency to use the weak and humble to shame the wise and strong, reinforcing Peter's denial of their own power or piety as the source of the miracle.
Philippians 2:9-11It highlights Jesus' exaltation above all names, underscoring why Peter would immediately redirect worship and wonder towards Christ, the true source of the healing power.
Deuteronomy 8:17-18This Old Testament passage warns against attributing success or strength to one's own power or ability, serving as a foundational principle for Peter's redirection of the crowd's awe.
cambridgeActs 3:12: "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?"
12 . when Peter saw it ] i.e. their wonder, as may be inferred from his opening words. he answered ] Often used although no previous remark or question precedes. Cp. Acts 5:8 , where Peter is said to have answered Sapphira, though she had said nothing, as far as we are told, and where the…
calvinActs 3:12-16: "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?"
- And when Peter saw that, he made answer unto the people, Men of Israel, why marvel ye at this, or why look ye so steadfastly on us, as if by our own power or godliness we have made this man walk? 13. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his S…
Peter immediately redirects the crowd's amazement, not just from himself and John, but from the very idea that human "power" or "piety" could accomplish such a miracle. He's emphasizing that the crowd's intense focus on them is misguided, pushing them to see that their own greatness isn't the source of this healing.
Immediately after healing a man who had been lame from birth, Peter sees a crowd gathering, full of astonishment. He seizes this moment not to accept their awe, but to redirect their attention, addressing them directly to clarify that the miracle wasn't performed by their own strength or religious merit. This sets the stage for his sermon, where he'll explain that all glory belongs to Jesus Christ, whom they had rejected.
Immediately after healing a man who had been lame from birth, Peter sees a crowd gathering, full of astonishment. He seizes this moment not to accept their awe, but to redirect their attention, addressing them directly to clarify that the miracle wasn't performed by their own strength or religious merit. This sets the stage for his sermon, where he'll explain that all glory belongs to Jesus Christ, whom they had rejected.
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By separating these, Peter directs the focus not just away from himself, but to the true source: God’s power working through faith in Jesus.
c. 30-33 AD
Early Growth of the Church
Despite persecution, the number of believers in Jesus grows significantly in Jerusalem, with many miracles occurring through the apostles.
"And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?" — Peter immediately redirects the crowd's amazement, not just from himself and John, but from the very idea that human "power" or "piety" could accomplish such a miracle. He's emphasizing that the crow…
