Acts 3:10

KJV

And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G5037} they knew {G1921} that {G3754} it {G846} was {G2258} he {G3778} which {G3588} sat {G2521} for {G4314} alms {G1654} at {G1909} the Beautiful {G5611} gate {G4439} of the temple {G2411}: and {G2532} they were filled {G4130} with wonder {G2285} and {G2532} amazement {G1611} at {G1909} that which had happened {G4819} unto him {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They recognized him as the same man who had formerly sat begging at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple, and they were utterly amazed and confounded at what had happened to him.

Berean Standard Bible

they recognized him as the man who used to sit begging at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

American Standard Version

and they took knowledge of him, that it was he that sat for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 3:10 powerfully narrates the public's immediate and overwhelming recognition of the miraculously healed man, formerly a familiar beggar at the Beautiful Gate of the temple. This verse highlights the undeniable authenticity of the miracle, as eyewitnesses, who knew the man's long-standing condition, were utterly overcome with profound astonishment and awe at his complete and instantaneous restoration.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 3:10 serves as the climactic public response to the miraculous healing recounted in the preceding verses. Peter and John, on their way to the temple for prayer, encountered a man who had been [lame from birth](/acts/3-2 "Acts 3:2 - The Lame Man at the Beautiful Gate") and was routinely carried to the Beautiful Gate to beg. Rather than offering money, Peter, empowered by the Holy Spirit, commanded the man to "[rise up and walk](/acts/3-6 "Acts 3:6 - Peter Heals the Lame Man") in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth." The healing was instantaneous and complete, leading the man to immediately stand, leap, and praise God as he entered the temple with the apostles. [Acts 3:9](/acts/3-9 "Acts 3:9 - The People See and Praise God") describes people seeing him walking and praising God; verse 10 then confirms their widespread recognition of him as the known beggar, leading to the profound public astonishment that directly sets the stage for Peter's subsequent sermon.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the Temple in Jerusalem, specifically the "Beautiful Gate," which was likely a prominent and ornate entrance, possibly the Nicanor Gate, through which many worshippers passed daily. Begging was a common sight in ancient cities, especially at temple entrances where charitable individuals might offer alms. A person with a lifelong disability, particularly one as visible as lameness, would be a well-known figure if they consistently occupied the same spot. This familiarity of the beggar to the populace is crucial, as it underscores the irrefutable nature of his healing. The temple was not only a place of worship but also a central hub for social and economic activity, making it an ideal location for a public demonstration of divine power that would attract widespread attention and validate the apostles' message.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within [the book of Acts](/acts/1 "The Book of Acts - The Early Church"). Foremost is the **manifestation of divine power** through the apostles, validating their message and authority. The instantaneous and complete healing demonstrates that the power of God, operating through the name of Jesus, is real and transformative. Another crucial theme is the **authenticity and public nature of the miracles**, which served as undeniable signs. The fact that the healed man was a well-known figure, recognized by the crowd, made the miracle irrefutable, preventing any claims of deception. Finally, the verse highlights the **catalytic role of miracles in prompting witness and evangelism**. The profound "wonder and amazement" of the crowd directly prepared their hearts to listen to Peter's subsequent sermon, where he would explain the source of this power and call them to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, as seen in [Acts 3:12-26](/acts/3-12-26 "Acts 3:12-26 - Peter's Sermon After the Healing").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **knew (Greek, _epiginṓskō'_):** This word signifies more than mere recognition; it implies a full and complete acquaintance, a thorough understanding gained from prior observation. The crowd didn't just see a man walking; they "fully knew" him to be the specific individual who had been a fixture at the Beautiful Gate, begging for alms. This deep, personal recognition underscores the undeniable and irrefutable nature of the miracle.
* **wonder (Greek, _thámbos'_):** This term denotes stupefaction or astonishment, often akin to being dumbfounded or struck with profound awe. It describes a powerful emotional reaction, a sense of being overwhelmed by something extraordinary and unexpected. It's a response to the sheer magnitude and unexpectedness of the event, indicating a state of being utterly amazed and speechless.
* **amazement (Greek, _ékstasis'_):** From this word, we derive "ecstasy." It literally means "a standing outside oneself," conveying a profound state of being utterly overwhelmed, beside oneself with awe, astonishment, or even a sense of trance-like wonder. When combined with "wonder" (thámbos), it emphasizes the profound, almost disorienting, impact the miracle had on the witnesses, suggesting a complete absorption in the supernatural event.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple:"** This clause establishes the undeniable identity of the healed man and the public's prior familiarity with him. The phrase "sat for alms" vividly portrays his former state of dependency and his customary position as a beggar. The "Beautiful gate of the temple" pinpoints the exact, well-known location, reinforcing the public nature of his former condition and the subsequent miracle. The crowd's "knowing" confirms that this was not a stranger, but a recognized figure whose lifelong disability was widely understood.
* **"and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him."** This second clause describes the profound emotional and psychological reaction of the eyewitnesses. The phrase "filled with" indicates an overwhelming, pervasive emotion that completely enveloped them. "Wonder" (thámbos) and "amazement" (ékstasis) are strong synonyms that collectively convey a state of profound awe, shock, and disbelief—not in the sense of doubting the miracle, but in being utterly overwhelmed by its reality and magnitude. This reaction highlights the supernatural nature of the event, clearly beyond human capability, and points unequivocally to divine intervention.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs **Recognition** as a narrative device, emphasizing that the healed man was not an unknown individual but a familiar fixture, which lends irrefutable credibility to the miracle. The implicit juxtaposition of his former state ("sat for alms") with his present condition (walking, leaping, praising God, as described in preceding verses) creates a powerful **Contrast**, highlighting the radical transformation. The use of the dual terms "wonder" and "amazement" functions as a form of **Hendiadys** (using two words connected by "and" to express a single, more intense idea), powerfully conveying the overwhelming, almost ecstatic, emotional response of the crowd. This heightened emotional state also serves as a **Foreshadowing** device, preparing the audience for Peter's subsequent sermon by demonstrating the undeniable power of the name of Jesus, thereby creating an eager and receptive audience for the Gospel message.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 3:10 underscores a foundational theological truth: God's power is not merely conceptual but demonstrably active in the world, often breaking into human experience through miraculous intervention. The public and undeniable nature of this healing served as a divine attestation to the authority of the apostles and, more importantly, to the power inherent in the name of Jesus Christ. The crowd's "wonder and amazement" was a natural human response to witnessing the supernatural, a response that often precedes a receptivity to spiritual truth. This miracle was not an end in itself, but a powerful sign intended to point beyond itself to the one who empowers such acts, preparing hearts for the Gospel message. It highlights that God uses extraordinary means to confirm His word and draw people to Himself, demonstrating His compassion and His sovereign ability to restore.

* [John 9:1-7](/john/9-1-7 "John 9:1-7 - Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind")
* [Acts 4:16](/acts/4-16 "Acts 4:16 - The Sanhedrin Acknowledges the Undeniable Miracle")
* [Luke 5:26](/luke/5-26 "Luke 5:26 - People Glorify God After the Healing of the Paralytic")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 3:10 invites us to cultivate a posture of awe and spiritual attentiveness in our own lives. In a world often characterized by skepticism and cynicism, this verse reminds us that God is still capable of doing "immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine" ([Ephesians 3:20](/ephesians/3-20 "Ephesians 3:20 - God's Power to Do More")). The crowd's reaction wasn't just intellectual assent but a profound emotional and spiritual response to witnessing God's tangible power. This should challenge us to look for God's hand at work, not only in grand miracles but also in the everyday transformations and provisions He orchestrates. Furthermore, the public nature of the miracle and the subsequent evangelistic opportunity remind us that when God acts powerfully in our lives or communities, it is often for a purpose beyond our individual blessing—it is to draw others to His glory and truth. We are called to be ready to articulate the source of our hope and the power that transforms, just as Peter did, allowing our lives to be a testimony to God's ongoing work.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What familiar "impossible" situations in your life or community might God be waiting to transform, eliciting "wonder and amazement"?**
* **How does witnessing God's power, whether in Scripture or in contemporary life, impact your own sense of awe and worship?**
* **In what ways can your personal experience of God's transformative power serve as a catalyst for sharing the Gospel with others?**

### FAQ
**Why was the gate called "Beautiful," and is its name significant to the story?**

Answer: The "Beautiful Gate" (Greek: _hōraîos pýlē_) was likely one of the main entrances to the Temple complex in Jerusalem, renowned for its ornate and costly construction, possibly made of Corinthian bronze. While its name primarily referred to its aesthetic grandeur, there is a profound spiritual irony in a lame beggar sitting daily at a "Beautiful Gate." He was surrounded by physical beauty and the grandeur of religious ritual, yet he himself was broken and excluded from full participation due to his disability. His healing at this specific gate, therefore, highlights a deeper beauty—the beauty of God's redemptive power transforming brokenness into wholeness, and the spiritual glory of Jesus' name overshadowing any man-made splendor. The location made the miracle highly visible and undeniable to the many who passed through it daily.

**What is the significance of the crowd's "wonder and amazement"?**

Answer: The crowd's reaction of "wonder and amazement" (Greek: _thámbos_ and _ékstasis_) is highly significant. It signifies that the miracle was not subtle or easily dismissed; it was an undeniable, supernatural event that profoundly impacted those who witnessed it. This overwhelming emotional response served several purposes: it validated the authenticity of the healing, confirming that it was truly a divine act; it created a sense of awe and receptivity, breaking through skepticism and preparing hearts to listen to Peter's explanation; and it underscored the extraordinary power of the name of Jesus, demonstrating that something truly unprecedented had occurred. This reaction was a crucial step in the narrative, directly leading to the large gathering that would hear Peter's powerful sermon in [Acts 3:11-26](/acts/3-11-26 "Acts 3:11-26 - Peter's Sermon in Solomon's Portico").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 3:10, along with the entire narrative of the lame man's healing, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The miracle performed by Peter and John was not by their own power, but "in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth" ([Acts 3:6](/acts/3-6 "Acts 3:6 - Healing in Jesus' Name")), demonstrating that the power of the resurrected Christ continued to operate through His apostles. Jesus Himself was the ultimate healer, whose ministry was characterized by signs and wonders that pointed to His divine authority and compassionate heart ([Matthew 4:23-24](/matthew/4-23-24 "Matthew 4:23-24 - Jesus' Ministry of Healing")). The "wonder and amazement" of the crowd in Acts 3:10 echoes the reactions to Jesus' own miracles, such as when He healed the paralytic ([Mark 2:12](/mark/2-12 "Mark 2:12 - The Crowd's Amazement at Jesus' Healing")). This event foreshadows the spiritual healing that Christ offers to all humanity, transforming those who are spiritually "lame" and unable to approach God into those who can "stand up" and walk in newness of life ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Walking in Newness of Life")). The physical restoration of the beggar is a powerful parable for the spiritual restoration available through faith in the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), enabling us to leap with joy and praise God for His wondrous salvation.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 3:2

And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

John 5:20

For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.

John 9:3

Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

Luke 9:43

¶ And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples,

Luke 4:36

And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word [is] this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out.

Acts 4:21

So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all [men] glorified God for that which was done.

Acts 4:22

For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.