Acts 3:5

KJV

And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} he gave heed {G1907} unto them {G846}, expecting {G4328} to receive {G2983} something {G5100} of {G3844} them {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The crippled man fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them.

Berean Standard Bible

So the man gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.

American Standard Version

And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something from them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 3:5 captures the pivotal moment immediately preceding a profound miracle, detailing the focused attention of a man lame from birth as he encounters the apostles Peter and John at the Temple's Beautiful Gate. Driven by a lifetime of begging, the man intently fixes his gaze upon them, his heart filled with the singular, practical expectation of receiving a monetary handout, setting the stage for a divine intervention that would far exceed his earthly hopes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the opening narrative of the early church in Jerusalem, specifically following the powerful Pentecost event in [Acts 2](/acts/2 "Acts 2 - The Day of Pentecost"). [Acts 3](/acts/3 "Acts 3 - Peter Heals a Lame Man") begins by introducing Peter and John going to the Temple at the hour of prayer ([Acts 3:1](/acts/3-1 "Acts 3:1 - Peter and John go to the Temple")), where they encounter a man who had been lame from birth, daily laid at the gate called Beautiful to beg for alms ([Acts 3:2](/acts/3-2 "Acts 3:2 - The Lame Man at the Beautiful Gate")). After the man asks for alms, Peter, fixing his eyes on him with John, commands, "[Look on us](/acts/3-4 "Acts 3:4 - Peter Commands the Lame Man to Look")." The man's immediate and intense response in [Acts 3:5](/acts/3-5 "Acts 3:5 - The Lame Man's Expectation") directly precedes Peter's declaration of "Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee" and the subsequent miraculous healing ([Acts 3:6-8](/acts/3-6-8 "Acts 3:6-8 - The Lame Man is Healed")). This verse is therefore a crucial narrative bridge, highlighting the man's human expectation before the divine surprise.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Jewish society, begging was a common means of survival for those with disabilities, as there were no formal social welfare systems. The Temple gates, particularly the Beautiful Gate, were strategic locations for beggars due to the high volume of worshippers and the religious obligation of charity (tzedakah). It was customary for devout Jews to give alms as an act of piety, especially during times of prayer. The man's daily routine of being carried to the gate and his immediate response to Peter's command reflect this established social custom. His expectation of "something" would have been universally understood as a request for money or food, the typical form of charity offered to beggars. This context underscores the man's desperate situation and the societal norms that shaped his worldview and immediate hopes.
* **Key Themes:** [Acts 3:5](/acts/3-5 "Acts 3:5 - The Lame Man's Expectation") contributes significantly to several key themes within [Acts](/acts "The Book of Acts - The Acts of the Apostles") and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the **contrast between human expectation and divine provision**. The man anticipates a meager handout, but receives complete physical restoration and the ability to walk, leap, and praise God ([Acts 3:8](/acts/3-8 "Acts 3:8 - The Healed Man Walks and Praises God")). Secondly, the verse highlights the **importance of focused attention and receptivity**. Though his motivation was earthly, the man's "giving heed" positioned him to receive a blessing far beyond his comprehension. This attentiveness, even if misdirected, was a prerequisite for the miracle. Finally, it underscores the **nature of true spiritual and physical healing** that comes through the power of Jesus Christ, contrasting it with temporary, material solutions. This sets the stage for Peter's subsequent sermon, which attributes the healing to faith in Jesus' name ([Acts 3:16](/acts/3-16 "Acts 3:16 - Healing Through Faith in Jesus' Name")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **gave heed (Greek, _epéchō_):** From the verb meaning "to hold upon" or "to retain," this word implies a deliberate, sustained focus. It's more than a casual glance; it signifies a fixed attention, an application of oneself to the object of observation. The lame man was not merely looking, but intently observing, his mind fully engaged with Peter and John.
* **expecting (Greek, _prosdokáō_):** This term conveys the idea of anticipating in thought, hope, or fear, and by implication, to await. It describes an active mental state of looking forward to something. In this context, it clearly indicates the man's hopeful anticipation of receiving charity, a common and necessary expectation for a beggar.
* **receive (Greek, _lambánō_):** This verb means "to take" or "to get hold of," often in an objective or active sense. It describes the act of acquiring something. Here, it refers to the physical act of taking possession of the "something" he hoped to be given, reinforcing his expectation of a tangible, material gift.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he gave heed unto them":** This phrase describes the man's immediate and intense reaction to Peter's command, "Look on us." The Greek term implies a sustained, fixed attention, not a fleeting glance. His gaze was locked onto Peter and John, indicating a deliberate and hopeful engagement. This attentiveness was crucial, as it prepared him to receive whatever was offered, even if his initial understanding of "something" was limited to alms.
* **"expecting to receive something of them":** This clarifies the motivation behind the man's focused attention. His expectation was entirely practical and rooted in his daily experience as a beggar. He anticipated a tangible handout—money or food—the typical form of charity given at the Temple gate. This highlights the common, human tendency to seek immediate, material solutions to problems, setting up a profound contrast with the spiritual and physical transformation he was about to receive.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Anticipation** and **Irony**. The man's intense focus and "expecting to receive something" build a strong sense of **Anticipation** in the narrative, drawing the reader into his immediate, human-level hope. This anticipation, however, is immediately undercut by **Irony**. The man expects mere alms, a small, temporary relief for his physical need, yet he is about to receive a complete, miraculous healing that will fundamentally transform his life. This ironic contrast between his limited expectation and God's abundant provision serves to highlight the extraordinary nature of the divine intervention that follows. The verse also subtly uses **Foreshadowing**, as the man's readiness to receive, though misdirected, prepares the narrative for the greater gift that Peter is about to bestow in the name of Jesus.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 3:5 serves as a powerful theological setup, illustrating the common human tendency to limit God's power and provision to our own immediate, often material, expectations. The lame man, accustomed to receiving only alms, could not conceive of a deeper, more transformative blessing. This mirrors humanity's often narrow view of salvation and blessing, seeking temporary fixes when God desires to grant complete spiritual and physical restoration. The verse underscores that God often meets us in our limited expectations, only to then reveal His boundless grace and power, far surpassing what we could ask or imagine. This divine generosity challenges believers to expand their understanding of God's capacity and willingness to provide beyond the tangible and immediate.

* [Ephesians 3:20](/ephesians/3-20 "God Can Do Exceedingly Abundantly")
* [Luke 11:11-13](/luke/11-11-13 "Ask, Seek, Knock")
* [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8-9 "God's Thoughts Are Higher Than Ours")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The scene at the Beautiful Gate prompts us to examine our own expectations when we approach God. Like the lame man, we often come with specific, often material or temporal, needs—a job, healing from an illness, financial provision. While God certainly cares about these things, Acts 3:5 reminds us that His plans and provisions often transcend our limited imaginations. The man received not just a coin, but a new life, a new identity, and the ability to walk, leap, and praise God. This encourages us to cultivate an openness to God's surprising and often far greater blessings, recognizing that His solutions are frequently holistic and transformative, addressing not just our immediate needs but our deepest spiritual and physical brokenness. Our attentiveness, even if initially driven by earthly desires, can position us for divine encounters that redefine our understanding of blessing and provision. We are called to anticipate God's work, not just in the ways we expect, but in the miraculous and unexpected ways He chooses to move.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "something" are you currently expecting from God, and how might your expectation be limiting your view of His greater provision?**
* **In what areas of your life are you "giving heed" or focusing your attention, and is that focus positioning you to receive God's best?**
* **How does the lame man's story challenge you to trust God for more than just immediate, tangible solutions to your problems?**

### FAQ

**What was the significance of the lame man being at the "Beautiful Gate"?**

Answer: The "Beautiful Gate" (likely one of the eastern gates of the Temple complex) was a prominent and heavily trafficked entrance. Its beauty and the constant flow of worshippers made it an ideal location for beggars to solicit alms. For the lame man, it was his daily "workplace," a place where he could reliably appeal to the piety and charity of those entering and leaving the Temple for prayer or worship. His presence there highlights his chronic disability and his complete reliance on the generosity of others.

**Why did Peter command the lame man to "Look on us" before the miracle?**

Answer: Peter's command, "[Look on us](/acts/3-4 "Acts 3:4 - Peter Commands the Lame Man to Look")," was crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it established a direct, personal connection, moving beyond the impersonal transaction of almsgiving. Secondly, it demanded the man's focused attention, ensuring he was fully present and receptive to what was about to happen. While the man expected money, Peter needed his eyes and mind to be fixed, not on the ground or on his usual plea, but on the apostles who were about to be instruments of divine power. This command prepared the man's heart and mind for the extraordinary, redirecting his focus from earthly expectation to a divine encounter.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 3:5, with the lame man's expectation of alms, profoundly foreshadows and illuminates the Christ-centered fulfillment of God's greater provision. Humanity, crippled by sin and spiritual lameness, often seeks temporary relief or external solutions for its deepest needs, much like the man expected a few coins. Yet, Jesus Christ, the true "silver and gold" that Peter offered, came to provide not just temporary relief, but complete and eternal healing. The man's physical lameness and his subsequent miraculous healing by the power of Jesus' name ([Acts 3:6](/acts/3-6 "Acts 3:6 - Peter Heals in Jesus' Name")) serves as a vivid metaphor for humanity's spiritual condition and the radical transformation offered through faith in Christ. He came to give us life, and to give it more abundantly ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Jesus Gives Abundant Life")), far surpassing our limited expectations of earthly comfort or moral self-improvement. Just as the man was enabled to walk, leap, and praise God ([Acts 3:8](/acts/3-8 "Acts 3:8 - The Healed Man Walks and Praises God")), believers are spiritually empowered to walk in newness of life ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Newness of Life")) and to offer praise to God, freed from the bondage of sin and death by the ultimate sacrifice of the Lamb of God ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). The unexpected and overwhelming blessing the man received points directly to the immeasurable riches of God's grace found in Christ Jesus ([Ephesians 2:7](/ephesians/2-7 "Ephesians 2:7 - The Riches of God's Grace")).

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.