Acts 3:4

KJV

And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} Peter {G4074}, fastening his eyes {G816} upon {G1519} him {G846} with {G4862} John {G2491}, said {G2036}, Look {G991} on {G1519} us {G2248}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But they stared straight at him; and Kefa said, “Look at us!”

Berean Standard Bible

Peter looked directly at him, as did John. “Look at us!” said Peter.

American Standard Version

And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him, with John, said, Look on us.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 3:4 captures a pivotal moment at the Beautiful Gate of the Jerusalem Temple, where Peter and John, on their way to prayer, encounter a man lame from birth begging for alms. Rather than offering a customary coin, Peter, with John, intently fixes his gaze upon the man and commands him to "Look on us." This deliberate act of engagement shifts the beggar's expectation from a mere financial transaction to an encounter of profound spiritual significance, preparing him to receive a miraculous healing far beyond his earthly desires.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 3:4 is situated immediately after the apostles' regular practice of attending prayer at the Temple, as described in [Acts 3:1](/acts/3-1 "Acts 3:1 - Peter and John go to the Temple"). The preceding verse introduces the lame man, who had been placed daily at the Beautiful Gate to beg for money ([Acts 3:2](/acts/3-2 "Acts 3:2 - The Lame Man at the Beautiful Gate")). The man's request for alms in [Acts 3:3](/acts/3-3 "Acts 3:3 - The Lame Man Asks for Alms") sets up the unexpected response from Peter and John. This verse, therefore, serves as the critical turning point, establishing direct eye contact and verbal command that precedes the dramatic healing narrative that unfolds in [Acts 3:6-8](/acts/3-6-8 "Acts 3:6-8 - The Healing of the Lame Man"). It highlights the apostles' intentional, Spirit-led interaction, distinguishing their ministry from typical charitable acts.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the Jerusalem Temple, a central hub of Jewish life, worship, and social interaction in the first century. The Beautiful Gate, likely a prominent and ornate entrance, was a common place for beggars due to the high volume of worshippers and pilgrims. Begging was a recognized, albeit unfortunate, part of the social fabric, as there were no formal social welfare systems. Lame individuals, often seen as marginalized and sometimes even as cursed, relied entirely on the charity of others. The act of going to the Temple at the "ninth hour" (3 PM) for prayer was a common Jewish custom, demonstrating the apostles' continued adherence to Jewish religious practices even after Pentecost. Peter's command to "Look on us" would have been an unusual and authoritative departure from the expected interaction, demanding a level of personal engagement not typically given to beggars.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Acts. It underscores the theme of **Divine Power through Human Instruments**, as Peter and John are not merely dispensing charity but are conduits for God's miraculous intervention, foreshadowed by their authoritative gaze and command. The encounter highlights **Evangelistic Engagement**, demonstrating how the early church actively sought to meet profound human needs, not just superficial ones, leading to opportunities to proclaim Jesus Christ. Furthermore, it subtly introduces the theme of **Spiritual Authority**, as Peter's direct command reflects the authority granted to the apostles by the Holy Spirit, enabling them to act in God's name, a theme recurrent throughout [Acts](/acts/1 "The Book of Acts"). The immediate focus on the lame man's attention also speaks to the theme of **Preparation for Revelation**, where human focus is redirected to God's work, a necessary precursor for spiritual and physical transformation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **fastening his eyes (Greek, _atenízō'_):** This verb signifies an intense, fixed, and unwavering gaze. It is not a casual glance but a deliberate, focused stare, often implying deep concentration, discernment, or an expectation of something significant. In this context, Peter and John's "fastening their eyes" on the lame man indicates a profound, Spirit-led attention that transcends mere observation, preparing for a divine encounter.
* **said (Greek, _épō'_):** This verb denotes the act of speaking or saying, often with authority or intention. While a common verb, its use here in conjunction with the intense gaze suggests that Peter's words were not a casual utterance but a deliberate command, carrying weight and purpose, setting the stage for the subsequent miracle.
* **Look (Greek, _blépō'_):** This imperative verb means "to look at," "to perceive," or "to see." Unlike _atenízō_, which describes the intensity of the apostles' gaze, _blépō_ is the command for the lame man to direct his own sight. It is a call to attention, demanding the man's full focus, which is crucial for him to comprehend and receive the extraordinary event about to unfold.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John":** This clause establishes the joint, intentional action of the two apostles. Peter, as the primary speaker, takes the lead, but John's presence and shared intense gaze underscore the unity and shared purpose of their ministry. The phrase "fastening his eyes" (from _atenízō_) is critical, indicating a profound, fixed, and discerning look, not merely a casual observation. This intense gaze communicates a seriousness and an expectation that something significant is about to transpire, drawing the beggar's full attention away from his usual routine.
* **"said, Look on us":** This is Peter's direct, authoritative command to the lame man. It shifts the dynamic from a passive request for alms to an active demand for the man's focused attention. The command "Look on us" (from _blépō_) prepares the man for an encounter that will be personal and transformative, directing his gaze from the ground or the passing crowd to the apostles themselves, who are acting as instruments of God's power. It is a necessary prerequisite for the subsequent revelation of God's power through them.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs **Foreshadowing** and **Dramatic Irony**. The intense, "fastening" gaze of Peter and John, coupled with the direct command "Look on us," subtly foreshadows the extraordinary event about to occur. It signals to the reader that this will not be a typical interaction. There is also an element of **Dramatic Irony**, as the lame man "gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them" ([Acts 3:5](/acts/3-5 "Acts 3:5 - The Lame Man Expects Alms")), anticipating only money. The reader, however, is aware, through the apostles' authoritative demeanor and the preceding narrative, that something far greater than financial alms is about to be bestowed, highlighting the gap between the man's limited expectation and God's boundless power. The **Imperative Mood** of "Look on us" also functions as a literary device, conveying the apostles' spiritual authority and the urgency of the moment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 3:4 profoundly illustrates the shift from a transactional understanding of charity to a transformative encounter with divine power. Peter and John's focused attention and direct command signify that God's intervention is not a passive act but requires active engagement and a redirection of human expectation. This moment underscores the principle that true spiritual help often begins with intentional presence and a call to focus on the source of genuine power, which is God working through His chosen instruments. It moves beyond mere physical relief to address deeper needs, pointing to the holistic nature of God's redemption.

* [Luke 4:20](/luke/4-20 "Luke 4:20 - Jesus' Intent Gaze in the Synagogue")
* [Acts 6:15](/acts/6-15 "Acts 6:15 - Stephen's Face Like an Angel")
* [Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Looking to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of Our Faith")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 3:4 serves as a powerful reminder for believers to cultivate intentionality and discernment in their interactions, particularly when engaging with those in need. Peter and John did not merely walk past the lame man or offer a perfunctory handout; they stopped, made direct eye contact, and commanded his attention. This act speaks volumes about the importance of truly "seeing" people—looking beyond their immediate circumstances or superficial requests to discern deeper spiritual or physical needs. It challenges us to move beyond casual charity to compassionate engagement, recognizing that God often desires to work through us in ways that transcend our own limited resources or expectations. Our focused attention and Spirit-led words can be the catalyst for God's transformative power in another person's life, shifting their gaze from their problems to the One who offers true healing and hope.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be overlooking deeper needs in the people I encounter daily, focusing only on superficial interactions?**
* **How can I cultivate a more intentional, "fastening my eyes" approach to ministry and relationships, truly seeing and engaging with others?**
* **What might it look like to "command attention" in a loving, Spirit-led way, redirecting someone's focus from their limitations to God's possibilities?**
* **Am I willing to step beyond conventional responses to need, trusting God to work miraculously through my obedience and presence?**

### FAQ

**Why did Peter and John command the lame man to "Look on us" instead of just healing him immediately?**

Answer: The command "Look on us" (from the Greek _blépō_) was crucial for several reasons. First, it was a call to **intentional engagement**. The lame man's expectation was purely financial, a routine transaction. Peter's command broke this routine, demanding the man's full attention and shifting his focus from his physical ailment and typical begging to the apostles themselves. Second, it was an act of **preparation for revelation**. For a miracle to be truly impactful and understood as divine, the recipient often needs to be actively engaged and aware of the source of the power. By drawing the man's gaze, Peter was preparing him to be a conscious witness and recipient of God's extraordinary work, which would then lead to faith and praise ([Acts 3:8-9](/acts/3-8-9 "Acts 3:8-9 - The Lame Man Walks and Praises God")). Finally, it demonstrated **apostolic authority**. Peter and John were acting as God's instruments, and this direct command underscored the spiritual authority given to them by the Holy Spirit, setting the stage for the powerful declaration in [Acts 3:6](/acts/3-6 "Acts 3:6 - Peter's Declaration: Silver and Gold Have I None").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 3:4, though seemingly a simple command, powerfully foreshadows the Christ-centered nature of true transformation. Peter and John, as instruments of God, direct the lame man's gaze to themselves, not as the source of power, but as the immediate conduits through whom God's power will flow. This mirrors how Jesus consistently drew people's attention to Himself as the embodiment of God's kingdom and the source of all healing and salvation. Just as the lame man was called to "Look on us" to receive physical healing, humanity is called to "look to Jesus" for spiritual healing and eternal life. The ultimate fulfillment of this concept is found in the person of Christ, who is the "author and finisher of our faith" ([Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Looking to Jesus")). Peter's subsequent sermon in [Acts 3:16](/acts/3-16 "Acts 3:16 - Healing Through Faith in Jesus' Name") explicitly attributes the healing to "faith in His name," clarifying that the power did not reside in the apostles but in Jesus. Thus, the apostles' command to "Look on us" ultimately served to point the lame man, and indeed all who witness the miracle, to the true source of power and salvation, Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

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 14:9

The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,

Acts 14:10

Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.

John 11:40

Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?

Luke 4:20

And he closed the book, and he gave [it] again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.

Acts 3:12

¶ 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?

John 5:6

When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time [in that case], he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?

Acts 11:6

Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.