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;
And {G2532} a certain {G5100} man {G435} lame {G5225}{G5560} from {G1537} his {G846} mother's {G3384} womb {G2836} was carried {G941}, whom {G3739} they laid {G5087} daily {G2250}{G2596} at {G4314} the gate {G2374} of the temple {G2411} which {G3588} is called {G3004} Beautiful {G5611}, to ask {G154} alms {G1654} of {G3844} them that entered {G1531} into {G1519} the temple {G2411};
a man crippled since birth was being carried in. Every day people used to put him at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple, so that he could beg from those going into the Temple court.
And a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those entering the temple courts.
And a certain man that was lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the door of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;
-
Acts 14:8
¶ And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked: -
John 9:8
¶ The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged? -
Luke 16:20
And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, -
Luke 18:35
¶ And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: -
Acts 10:31
And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. -
Acts 4:22
For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed. -
Acts 10:4
And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.
Acts 3:2 KJV introduces a pivotal character in the unfolding narrative of the early church: a man who had been lame from his mother's womb. This verse sets the scene for a miraculous healing, emphasizing the man's profound and lifelong disability.
Historical and Cultural Context
In ancient societies, individuals with severe physical disabilities often relied on begging for survival, as formal social welfare systems were nonexistent. The gates of the temple, particularly the one known as the "Beautiful Gate," were strategic locations for beggars due to the high volume of worshippers and visitors entering and exiting. This specific gate was likely a prominent and ornate entrance to the Temple courts, attracting many people daily. The phrase "lame from his mother's womb" underscores that his condition was congenital and incurable by conventional means, highlighting the desperate nature of his situation and the magnitude of the impending divine intervention.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The Greek word for "lame" is chōlos (χολός), which denotes a person who is crippled or unable to walk. The term "alms" comes from the Greek eleēmosynē (ἐλεημοσύνη), referring to acts of mercy, charity, or donations given to the poor. This word emphasizes the charitable giving that was a common practice among devout Jews entering the temple, aligning with the Mosaic Law's commands to care for the needy.
Practical Application
Acts 3:2 serves as a powerful reminder that God often chooses to manifest His power in unexpected moments and through seemingly ordinary circumstances. It encourages believers to be attentive to the needs around them, recognizing that every human challenge can be an opportunity for God's glory to be revealed. The man's daily plea for alms sets the stage for a far greater gift: healing and spiritual transformation, demonstrating that true spiritual power can meet profound physical needs.