Acts 3:16
And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse emphasizes that Jesus' name, through the "faith which is by him," granted this man complete healing. This means it wasn't just the apostles' faith, nor solely the healed man's, but a faith originating from Jesus himself that was the dynamic power behind the miracle.
Peter is addressing a crowd in Jerusalem after healing a man who had been lame since birth. He's forcefully refuting the idea that he or John performed this miracle through their own power or holiness. Instead, Peter redirects all attention to Jesus, declaring that it was Jesus' power, accessed through faith, that accomplished the healing.
Peter and John healed a man who had been lame for decades. When people were amazed, they didn't take the credit. Instead, they pointed to 'His name.' But what does that really mean?
In the Jewish context of the time, a name wasn't just a label; it represented the essence, character, authority, and power of a person. When Peter speaks of 'His name' – the name of Jesus – he's not talking about a magic word. He's talking about the very power and authority of Jesus himself, given to Him by God.
Think of it like this: saying 'The President' refers to the office and all the authority that comes with it. Similarly, 'the name of Jesus' encompasses His divine authority, His power to save and heal, and His identity as the Son of God. This name is the source of the miracle, not just a religious phrase.
The miracle happened 'through faith in his name.' But whose faith was it – Peter's, the healed man's, or both? And how does faith actually 'work'?
This verse highlights that faith is the crucial bridge connecting Jesus' power to the miraculous healing. It's not that faith has the power, but that faith activates the power already present in Jesus' name.
Some scholars suggest it was primarily the apostles' faith that enabled them to act in Jesus' name, trusting His promise to empower them. Others believe the healed man's faith was also key, perhaps ignited by hearing about Jesus or the apostles' words. The most complete understanding might be that it involved both:
Regardless of who had the faith, it's clear that faith isn't a passive hope, but an active reliance on God's promises and power, mediated through Jesus.
Understand the original words
onoma · Greek Noun
The personal name of Jesus serves as a shorthand for His entire person, authority, and power. To act "in his name" is to act as His representative, operating under His divine mandate and efficacy.
pistis · Greek Noun
A settled conviction or trust in the person and work of Jesus Christ. It is not merely intellectual assent but an active reliance on Him as the source of salvation and power.
holoklēria · Greek Noun
A state of completeness, soundness, or wholeness. In a biblical context, it often refers to total restoration—physical, spiritual, or relational—brought about by the grace of God.
The miracle of the lame man's healing, as described in Acts 3, occurred in the immediate aftermath of Pentecost and Jesus' ascension. Peter's sermon, which includes this verse, directly confronts the Jewish leaders and the crowd about their role in Jesus' death while simultaneously proclaiming his resurrection and power through faith in his name.
c. 30 AD
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
Jesus of Nazareth is crucified in Jerusalem and, according to Christian belief, resurrected from the dead three days later. This event is the cornerstone of the early Christian movement.
c. 30 AD
The Ascension of Jesus
Following his resurrection appearances, Jesus is believed to have ascended into heaven, commissioning his followers to spread his message.
c. 30 AD
The Day of Pentecost
The Holy Spirit descends upon Jesus' followers in Jerusalem, empowering them to preach and perform miracles, including speaking in new languages. This marks the birth of the church.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Healing of the Lame Man at the Temple
Peter and John, empowered by the Holy Spirit, heal a man who had been lame from birth at the Beautiful Gate of the Jerusalem Temple. This event draws a large crowd.
Peter directly references Jesus' name as the source of healing in this passage, echoing the emphasis in Acts 3:16 that the power comes not from the apostles but from Jesus.
John 3:30This verse speaks to the principle of Jesus needing to increase and others to decrease, which aligns with Peter's sermon in Acts 3. He redirects the crowd's attention from himself and John to Jesus as the true source of the miracle.
Mark 16:17-18Jesus promised his followers that they would perform miracles, including healing the sick, in his name. Acts 3:16 is a direct fulfillment of this promise, showing the power working through faith in Jesus' name.
Romans 1:17This passage highlights that salvation and righteousness are revealed through faith, and the righteous live by faith. Acts 3:16 demonstrates this principle in action, where faith in Jesus brings about physical healing and wholeness.
Philippians 2:9-11The exaltation of Jesus' name and the command for all to confess him as Lord, as described here, underpins Peter's proclamation in Acts 3. The healing is a demonstration of the authority inherent in Jesus' name.
cambridgeActs 3:16: "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."
16 . And his name , &c.] There is more force in retaining the order of the Greek, And through 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; cp. Acts 4:12 . The usage grew out of such p…
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…
The verse emphasizes that Jesus' name, through the "faith which is by him," granted this man complete healing. This means it wasn't just the apostles' faith, nor solely the healed man's, but a faith originating from Jesus himself that was the dynamic power behind the miracle.
Peter is addressing a crowd in Jerusalem after healing a man who had been lame since birth. He's forcefully refuting the idea that he or John performed this miracle through their own power or holiness. Instead, Peter redirects all attention to Jesus, declaring that it was Jesus' power, accessed through faith, that accomplished the healing.
Peter is addressing a crowd in Jerusalem after healing a man who had been lame since birth. He's forcefully refuting the idea that he or John performed this miracle through their own power or holiness. Instead, Peter redirects all attention to Jesus, declaring that it was Jesus' power, accessed through faith, that accomplished the healing.
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The man didn't just get a little better; he received 'perfect soundness.' What does this complete healing tell us about God's intention?
The Greek word used here, 'holokleria,' is unique in the New Testament. It signifies completeness, wholeness, and integrity – a total restoration, not just a partial fix.
This isn't just about the man's leg suddenly working. It points to a deeper reality:
c. 30 AD
Peter's Sermon and Arrest
Peter preaches a powerful sermon to the crowd, explaining that the healing was performed through the name and power of Jesus Christ, leading to the conversion of about 5,000 people. Peter and John are subsequently arrested.
c. 33 AD
Martyrdom of Stephen
Stephen, one of the early deacons, is the first Christian martyr, stoned to death in Jerusalem. His death intensifies persecution against the church in Jerusalem.
"And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all." — The verse emphasizes that Jesus' name, through the "faith which is by him," granted this man complete healing. This means it wasn't just the apostles' faith, nor solely the healed man's, but a faith…
