|
In this lesson:
Lesson 223 continues. Hugs for Peter and John (3:11). Peter's second sermon begins. It ends with verse 4:2 (lesson 225). Study Tip: Applying biblical lessons to your life will make you a better person. |
The prophet Samuel icon.
|
Who was -
Pilate -
Pontius Pilate was the fifth Roman procurator (governor) of Judea and Samaria. He served from AD 26 to 36 and disliked his Judean assignment so far from home. Pilate, no fan of the Jews, was routinely charged with cruelty against them, accusations he usually deserved, and Jesus was well aware of Pilate's brutal reputation (Luke 13:1). The Jewish religious leaders returned Pilate's animosity and frequently complained about him to Rome. They accused him of corruption, cruelty, insensitivity to their customs and religion, and once of stealing money from the Temple to build an aqueduct. Pilate's headquarters was in Caesarea, but he was in Jerusalem with his wife Claudia to keep order as the Holy City filled with pilgrims over the Passover holiday. While he was in Jerusalem, the Jewish high council (Sanhedrin) brought Jesus to stand trial before him. The Sanhedrin lacked the authority to sentence a prisoner to death (John 18:31), so they pressured Pilate to crucify Jesus. A pure politician, Pilate was more interested in political expediency than justice. Already disciplined by Rome once, Pilate wasn't willing to release Jesus and risk more Jewish complaints. He repeatedly declared Jesus innocent (Luke 23:4; 23:14; 23:22; John 18:38) yet was prepared to order His execution (Matthew 27:24-26; Mark 15:15). In AD 36, Pilate finally lost favor with Rome after the Governor of Syria brought more charges of cruelty against him. He was exiled to Vienne in Gaul, where he committed suicide in AD 38.
Moses -
Moses was a prophet of Israel (Deuteronomy 34:10), the author of the first five books in the Old Testament (the Pentateuch), a Jewish leader and icon who, with God's help, led an estimated 3,000,000 Israelites out of Egyptian bondage to form the Jewish nation. The son of Amram and Jochebed (Exodus 6:20), Moses was born in 1571 BC when the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt (Exodus 1:13-14). Afraid that the growing population of Jewish slaves would one day turn against Egypt (Exodus 1:10), the Egyptian Pharaoh Rameses ordered midwives to kill all the male Jewish babies at birth (Exodus 1:15-16). When this didn't work (Exodus 1:17), Pharaoh ordered the male babies to be "cast into the river" (Exodus 1:22). To save the infant Moses' life, his mother hid him in a basket in the reeds on the banks of the Nile River (Exodus 2:3). Pharaoh's daughter found Moses (Exodus 2:5-6) and raised him as her own son. Growing up he received an education (Acts 7:22) and all the advantages given the son of a king. But at the age of forty, Moses killed an Egyptian he found mistreating a Hebrew (Exodus 2:11-12; Acts 7:23-24) and was forced to flee Egypt (Exodus 2:15). Moses fled to Midian near Sinai where he married and lived the simple life of a Shepard for forty years until God appeared to him in the form of a burning bush (Exodus 3:1-22; Acts 7:30-34). Following God's instructions, Moses returned to Egypt to liberate the Israelites. After God brought a series of ten miracles/plagues down on the Egyptians (Exodus 7:1-12:51), Pharaoh allowed the enslaved Israelites to leave Egypt a free people. For the next forty years, the Israelites wandered through the wilderness searching for the Promised Land (Canaan). Moses, "the mediator of the old covenant," received the Mosaic Law (the First Covenant, the Ten Commandments) from God on Mount Sinai (Exodus 34:1-35), prophesied the coming of the Messiah (John 5:46; Acts 7:37), was likened to Christ (Deuteronomy 18:15; Acts 7:37), and appeared with Jesus during the transfiguration (Matthew 17:3-5; Mark 9:2-4; Luke 9:29-30). Moses lived to be one hundred and twenty years old (forty years in the royal palace, forty years as a fugitive in Midian, and forty years in the wilderness), died on Mount Nebo in Moab (eight miles east of the mouth of the Jordan River) and was buried by God (Deuteronomy 34:5-7). In Jude 1:9, we see Satan arguing with Michael the Archangel over Moses' body. The story of Moses can be found in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
Samuel -
Hebrew for "asked of God," Samuel was a Levite and the son of Elkanah and Hannah who prayed for a son (1 Samuel 1:1-11). Samuel was the first prophet after Moses (I Samuel 3:20), a priest (1 Samuel 7:9), a lifetime Nazarite (1 Samuel 1:11), and the last of the judges that ruled Israel (1 Samuel 7:15-17). Samuel lived in the 11th century BC and urged Israel to pray, repent, forsake idolatry, and "serve the Lord with all your heart." When the Philistines attacked Israel, Samuel prayed for deliverance. God sent a tremendous thunderstorm which threw the Philistines into confusion and defeat. With the insistence of the people (1 Samuel 8:4-5), and guidance from God (1 Samuel 9:15-17), he ended the era of ruling judges by appointing Saul the king of Israel (1 Samuel 11:15). Saul helped make Israel a strong and prosperous monarchy but eventually lost favor with Samuel. You can read more about Samuel in 1 Samuel 1:20-28:25.
Pilate -
Pontius Pilate was the fifth Roman procurator (governor) of Judea and Samaria. He served from AD 26 to 36 and disliked his Judean assignment so far from home. Pilate, no fan of the Jews, was routinely charged with cruelty against them, accusations he usually deserved, and Jesus was well aware of Pilate's brutal reputation (Luke 13:1). The Jewish religious leaders returned Pilate's animosity and frequently complained about him to Rome. They accused him of corruption, cruelty, insensitivity to their customs and religion, and once of stealing money from the Temple to build an aqueduct. Pilate's headquarters was in Caesarea, but he was in Jerusalem with his wife Claudia to keep order as the Holy City filled with pilgrims over the Passover holiday. While he was in Jerusalem, the Jewish high council (Sanhedrin) brought Jesus to stand trial before him. The Sanhedrin lacked the authority to sentence a prisoner to death (John 18:31), so they pressured Pilate to crucify Jesus. A pure politician, Pilate was more interested in political expediency than justice. Already disciplined by Rome once, Pilate wasn't willing to release Jesus and risk more Jewish complaints. He repeatedly declared Jesus innocent (Luke 23:4; 23:14; 23:22; John 18:38) yet was prepared to order His execution (Matthew 27:24-26; Mark 15:15). In AD 36, Pilate finally lost favor with Rome after the Governor of Syria brought more charges of cruelty against him. He was exiled to Vienne in Gaul, where he committed suicide in AD 38.
Moses -
Moses was a prophet of Israel (Deuteronomy 34:10), the author of the first five books in the Old Testament (the Pentateuch), a Jewish leader and icon who, with God's help, led an estimated 3,000,000 Israelites out of Egyptian bondage to form the Jewish nation. The son of Amram and Jochebed (Exodus 6:20), Moses was born in 1571 BC when the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt (Exodus 1:13-14). Afraid that the growing population of Jewish slaves would one day turn against Egypt (Exodus 1:10), the Egyptian Pharaoh Rameses ordered midwives to kill all the male Jewish babies at birth (Exodus 1:15-16). When this didn't work (Exodus 1:17), Pharaoh ordered the male babies to be "cast into the river" (Exodus 1:22). To save the infant Moses' life, his mother hid him in a basket in the reeds on the banks of the Nile River (Exodus 2:3). Pharaoh's daughter found Moses (Exodus 2:5-6) and raised him as her own son. Growing up he received an education (Acts 7:22) and all the advantages given the son of a king. But at the age of forty, Moses killed an Egyptian he found mistreating a Hebrew (Exodus 2:11-12; Acts 7:23-24) and was forced to flee Egypt (Exodus 2:15). Moses fled to Midian near Sinai where he married and lived the simple life of a Shepard for forty years until God appeared to him in the form of a burning bush (Exodus 3:1-22; Acts 7:30-34). Following God's instructions, Moses returned to Egypt to liberate the Israelites. After God brought a series of ten miracles/plagues down on the Egyptians (Exodus 7:1-12:51), Pharaoh allowed the enslaved Israelites to leave Egypt a free people. For the next forty years, the Israelites wandered through the wilderness searching for the Promised Land (Canaan). Moses, "the mediator of the old covenant," received the Mosaic Law (the First Covenant, the Ten Commandments) from God on Mount Sinai (Exodus 34:1-35), prophesied the coming of the Messiah (John 5:46; Acts 7:37), was likened to Christ (Deuteronomy 18:15; Acts 7:37), and appeared with Jesus during the transfiguration (Matthew 17:3-5; Mark 9:2-4; Luke 9:29-30). Moses lived to be one hundred and twenty years old (forty years in the royal palace, forty years as a fugitive in Midian, and forty years in the wilderness), died on Mount Nebo in Moab (eight miles east of the mouth of the Jordan River) and was buried by God (Deuteronomy 34:5-7). In Jude 1:9, we see Satan arguing with Michael the Archangel over Moses' body. The story of Moses can be found in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
Samuel -
Hebrew for "asked of God," Samuel was a Levite and the son of Elkanah and Hannah who prayed for a son (1 Samuel 1:1-11). Samuel was the first prophet after Moses (I Samuel 3:20), a priest (1 Samuel 7:9), a lifetime Nazarite (1 Samuel 1:11), and the last of the judges that ruled Israel (1 Samuel 7:15-17). Samuel lived in the 11th century BC and urged Israel to pray, repent, forsake idolatry, and "serve the Lord with all your heart." When the Philistines attacked Israel, Samuel prayed for deliverance. God sent a tremendous thunderstorm which threw the Philistines into confusion and defeat. With the insistence of the people (1 Samuel 8:4-5), and guidance from God (1 Samuel 9:15-17), he ended the era of ruling judges by appointing Saul the king of Israel (1 Samuel 11:15). Saul helped make Israel a strong and prosperous monarchy but eventually lost favor with Samuel. You can read more about Samuel in 1 Samuel 1:20-28:25.
The Acts of the Apostles
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
|
Acts 3:11-26
Peter teaches in the Temple 11 And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering. 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? 13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. 14 But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; 15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. 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. 17 And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers. 18 But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled. 19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. 20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: 21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. 22 For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. 23 And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. 24 Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days. 25 Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. 26 Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities. |
Margin notes:
"The porch that is called Solomon's." (3:11) - Solomon's porch was part of the Temple in Jerusalem (John 10:22-23). Built by King Herod, it was located in the Temple courtyard on the east side of the court of Gentiles. The porch was fifteen hundred feet long and ninety-five feet wide with a rich cedar roof (1 Kings 7:7) supported by magnificent stone columns. The healed lame man followed Peter and John to Solomon's porch to thank them for the miracle that allowed him to walk. "Greatly wondering." (3:11) - Means, "amazed." "Why marvel ye at this?" (3:12) - "Why are you surprised by this?" "Why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?" (3:12) - Peter wanted everyone to know that it was the power of God, and not John's or his power that healed the lame man. "Pilate, when he was determined to let him go." (3:13) - Pontius Pilate believed Jesus was innocent and wanted to free Him (Matthew 27:15-24; Mark 15:9-15; Luke 23:13-25). "Desired a murderer to be granted unto you." (3:14) - Peter is referring to Barabbas. Remember, in Matthew 27:15-22, Mark 15:6-13, Luke 23:18-25, and John 18:39-40 the crowd demanded that Pilate release Barabbas, a thief, insurrectionist, and murderer, from prison and crucify Jesus. "Through faith in his name hath made this man strong." (3:16) - Peter is giving Jesus credit for healing the lame man. "Hath given him this perfect soundness." (3:16) - Means "has given him perfect health." "I wot that through ignorance ye did it." (3:17) - "I know that it was out of ignorance that you did it." If the people had known Jesus was the Messiah, would they have still crucified Him? For the answer, see 1 Corinthians 2:8. "God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets." (3:18) - The prophecy of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross can be found in Psalm 22, 69:4, Isaiah 50:6, Isaiah 53, Zechariah 12:10, and 1 Peter 1:10. "The times of restitution." (3:21) - The time of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. "Which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets." (3:21) - "Which God promised via the words of His holy prophets." "A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me." (3:22) - Peter is referring to Jesus. Moses prophesied Jesus' coming in Deuteronomy 18:15 and 18:18. Just as Moses freed Israel from Egyptian slavery, Jesus freed humanity from the slavery of sin. "Every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people." (3:23) - There is punishment after death, as prophesized in Deuteronomy 18:19. "The covenant which God made with our fathers." (3:25) - "The agreement which God made with our fathers." To read this agreement, see Genesis 12:1-3. "In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed." (3:25) - This is God's promise, made fourteen hundred years before the birth of Christ, to bless the world through the Jewish people. That blessing was Jesus. This passage is paraphrased from Genesis 18:18; 22:18; 26:24. "Turning away every one of you from his iniquities." (3:26) - Jesus will save us from our sins (Matthew 1:21). |
New Living Translation
Acts 3:11-26
11 They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon's Colonnade, where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John.
Peter Preaches in the Temple
12 Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd. "People of Israel," he said, "what is so surprising about this? And why stare at us as though we had made this man walk by our own power or godliness?
13 For it is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob-the God of all our ancestors-who has brought glory to his servant Jesus by doing this. This is the same Jesus whom you handed over and rejected before Pilate, despite Pilate's decision to release him.
14 You rejected this holy, righteous one and instead demanded the release of a murderer.
15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. And we are witnesses of this fact!
16 "Through faith in the name of Jesus, this man was healed-and you know how crippled he was before. Faith in Jesus' name has healed him before your very eyes.
17 "Friends, I realize that what you and your leaders did to Jesus was done in ignorance.
18 But God was fulfilling what all the prophets had foretold about the Messiah-that he must suffer these things.
19 Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.
20 Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah.
21 For he must remain in heaven until the time for the final restoration of all things, as God promised long ago through his holy prophets.
22 Moses said, 'The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from among your own people. Listen carefully to everything he tells you.'
23 Then Moses said, 'Anyone who will not listen to that Prophet will be completely cut off from God's people.'
24 "Starting with Samuel, every prophet spoke about what is happening today.
25 You are the children of those prophets, and you are included in the covenant God promised to your ancestors. For God said to Abraham, 'Through your descendants all the families on earth will be blessed.'
26 When God raised up his servant, Jesus, he sent him first to you people of Israel, to bless you by turning each of you back from your sinful ways."
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
11 They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon's Colonnade, where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John.
Peter Preaches in the Temple
12 Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd. "People of Israel," he said, "what is so surprising about this? And why stare at us as though we had made this man walk by our own power or godliness?
13 For it is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob-the God of all our ancestors-who has brought glory to his servant Jesus by doing this. This is the same Jesus whom you handed over and rejected before Pilate, despite Pilate's decision to release him.
14 You rejected this holy, righteous one and instead demanded the release of a murderer.
15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. And we are witnesses of this fact!
16 "Through faith in the name of Jesus, this man was healed-and you know how crippled he was before. Faith in Jesus' name has healed him before your very eyes.
17 "Friends, I realize that what you and your leaders did to Jesus was done in ignorance.
18 But God was fulfilling what all the prophets had foretold about the Messiah-that he must suffer these things.
19 Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.
20 Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah.
21 For he must remain in heaven until the time for the final restoration of all things, as God promised long ago through his holy prophets.
22 Moses said, 'The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from among your own people. Listen carefully to everything he tells you.'
23 Then Moses said, 'Anyone who will not listen to that Prophet will be completely cut off from God's people.'
24 "Starting with Samuel, every prophet spoke about what is happening today.
25 You are the children of those prophets, and you are included in the covenant God promised to your ancestors. For God said to Abraham, 'Through your descendants all the families on earth will be blessed.'
26 When God raised up his servant, Jesus, he sent him first to you people of Israel, to bless you by turning each of you back from your sinful ways."
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Key verses from this passage
"And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering. 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? The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go." (3:11-13)
"For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days." (3:22-24)
"For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days." (3:22-24)
Today's Question:
1. Why this second sermon? (3:12)
Questions? We'll do our best to answer them.
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. In his second sermon, Peter explained the truth to his Jewish audience. He told them who Jesus is (3:13), how they rejected him (3:14), and put Him to death (3:15; Acts 5:30) out of ignorance (3:17). But with this ugly truth, Peter also had good news. Since Jesus was resurrected (3:15), all they (and we) need to do to be forgiven is repent (3:19). Regardless of their sin, the gates of heaven are open to all who believe.
God sent His son for the Jewish people first (3:26) and then for all the world. In the lessons to come, we will see many Jews heed Peter's message. The apostles will then reach out to Gentiles.
Application thought for the day:
Peter called Jesus "the prince of life (3:15)."
What does that mean to you?
How does it affect the way you conduct your life?
1. Why this second sermon? (3:12)
Questions? We'll do our best to answer them.
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. In his second sermon, Peter explained the truth to his Jewish audience. He told them who Jesus is (3:13), how they rejected him (3:14), and put Him to death (3:15; Acts 5:30) out of ignorance (3:17). But with this ugly truth, Peter also had good news. Since Jesus was resurrected (3:15), all they (and we) need to do to be forgiven is repent (3:19). Regardless of their sin, the gates of heaven are open to all who believe.
God sent His son for the Jewish people first (3:26) and then for all the world. In the lessons to come, we will see many Jews heed Peter's message. The apostles will then reach out to Gentiles.
Application thought for the day:
Peter called Jesus "the prince of life (3:15)."
What does that mean to you?
How does it affect the way you conduct your life?
Visit us on social media below.
Explore hundreds of our original postings.
Explore hundreds of our original postings.
Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress Books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2026 evolke
© 2026 evolke