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)
The verse emphasizes that it's not just the "name" of Jesus that works, but specifically the faith in that name, both the apostles' and implicitly, the healed man's. This faith, the text clarifies, is itself a gift through Jesus, highlighting Him as the ultimate source of both the miracle and the very faith that receives it.
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)
Peter is addressing a crowd in Jerusalem after healing a man who had been lame from birth. He's just been questioned about how he performed this miracle, and he's using the opportunity to preach about Jesus. Peter emphasizes that the healing wasn't due to his own power or holiness, but was a demonstration of Jesus' power, who had been raised from the dead.
Peter doesn't just say Jesus' name was spoken; he highlights the 'name' as the source of power. What does that really mean?
In the Jewish context of the time, a person's 'name' wasn't just a label. It represented their reputation, their authority, and their very essence. When Peter says 'his name... has made this man strong,' he's not talking about a magical word. He's referring to the inherent power and authority of Jesus himself. This 'name' is the embodiment of all that Jesus is – his divine nature, his completed work on the cross, and his resurrection power.
This concept is rooted in how the Old Testament often speaks of God's power being linked to His name (like in Psalm 106:8). Peter is declaring that the same God of Israel is now fully revealed and active in Jesus. So, invoking 'the name of Jesus' is calling upon the person of Jesus and all His divine attributes and authority.
The miracle happened through faith, but whose faith was it? And how does faith connect us to God's power?
The verse is quite specific: 'faith in his name' and 'the faith which is by him.' This points to a vital connection between Jesus' power and the faith of believers. It wasn't just the apostles' faith or the healed man's faith alone, but a faith that originates from Jesus and is exercised through Him.
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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.
This verse highlights the power attributed to Jesus' name and the faith in Him, which was understood within a Jewish context where God's name carried immense significance. The healing itself becomes a public demonstration, validating Peter's bold proclamation to a Jerusalem audience still grappling with Jesus' recent crucifixion.
c. 30 AD
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
Jesus of Nazareth is crucified in Jerusalem and, according to the apostles' testimony, resurrected three days later. This event is the cornerstone of the nascent Christian movement.
c. 30 AD
The Ascension of Jesus
Jesus ascends into heaven, promising his followers the Holy Spirit. This marks the transition for the disciples from direct interaction with Jesus to empowered ministry through the Spirit.
c. 30 AD
The Coming of the Holy Spirit (Pentecost)
The Holy Spirit descends upon Jesus' followers in Jerusalem, empowering them to speak in other languages and to preach with boldness. This event marks the formal beginning of the Church's public ministry.
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 Jerusalem Temple's Beautiful Gate. This miraculous event draws a large crowd.
c. 30 AD
Peter's Sermon and the Crowd's Reaction
Peter preaches to the astonished crowd, explaining that the healing was not by their own power but by the name and faith in Jesus Christ. He calls them to repent and believe.
c. 30 AD
Arrest of Peter and John
Following the healing and Peter's sermon, the temple authorities arrest Peter and John due to the commotion and their preaching about Jesus' resurrection.
This passage directly echoes the theme of salvation and healing being exclusively through Jesus' name, reinforcing Peter's assertion in Acts 3:16 that no other name holds such power.
John 3:30This verse from John's Gospel highlights the principle that Christ must increase while all else decreases, aligning with Peter's redirection of the crowd's attention from himself to Jesus in Acts 3:16.
Romans 10:14-15This passage speaks to the necessity of faith and the sending of preachers to proclaim the name of Jesus, providing a theological framework for how faith in Christ's name is proclaimed and received.
Philippians 2:9-10This passage describes God exalting Jesus and giving Him the name above all names, which is directly relevant to the power attributed to Jesus' name in Acts 3:16 for healing and salvation.
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 it's not just the "name" of Jesus that works, but specifically the faith in that name, both the apostles' and implicitly, the healed man's. This faith, the text clarifies, is itself a gift through Jesus, highlighting Him as the ultimate source of both the miracle and the very faith that receives it.
Peter is addressing a crowd in Jerusalem after healing a man who had been lame from birth. He's just been questioned about how he performed this miracle, and he's using the opportunity to preach about Jesus. Peter emphasizes that the healing wasn't due to his own power or holiness, but was a demonstration of Jesus' power, who had been raised from the dead.
Peter is addressing a crowd in Jerusalem after healing a man who had been lame from birth. He's just been questioned about how he performed this miracle, and he's using the opportunity to preach about Jesus. Peter emphasizes that the healing wasn't due to his own power or holiness, but was a demonstration of Jesus' power, who had been raised from the dead.
"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 it's not just the "name" of Jesus that works, but specifically the faith in that name, both the apostles' and implicitly, the healed man's. This faith, the text clarifies,…
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Last reviewed October 2026