Acts 3:6

KJV

Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G1161} Peter {G4074} said {G2036}, Silver {G694} and {G2532} gold {G5553} have {G5225} I {G3427} none {G3756}; but {G1161} such as {G3739}{G5124} I have {G2192} give I {G1325} thee {G4671}: In {G1722} the name {G3686} of Jesus {G2424} Christ {G5547} of Nazareth {G3480} rise up {G1453} and {G2532} walk {G4043}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Kefa said, “I don’t have silver, and I don’t have gold, but what I do have I give to you: in the name of the Messiah, Yeshua of Natzeret, walk!”

Berean Standard Bible

But Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!”

American Standard Version

But Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but what I have, that give I thee. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 3:6 captures a pivotal moment in the early church's ministry, where Peter, confronted by a man lame from birth begging for alms at the Temple gate, declares his lack of material wealth but immediately offers something infinitely more valuable: healing in the authoritative name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. This dramatic encounter not only demonstrates the spiritual power entrusted to the apostles but also powerfully contrasts worldly resources with divine authority, resulting in an undeniable miracle that testifies to the resurrection and ongoing power of Jesus.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated immediately after the transformative events of Pentecost described in [Acts 2](/acts/2 "Acts 2 - The Day of Pentecost"), where the Holy Spirit empowers the apostles, leading to Peter's powerful sermon and the conversion of thousands. The early church is characterized by communal living, devotion to teaching, fellowship, and prayer, as detailed in [Acts 2:42-47](/acts/2-42-47 "Acts 2:42-47 - Life in the Early Church"). Peter and John are on their way to the Temple for the hour of prayer, a customary Jewish practice, when they encounter the lame man. This miracle serves as the catalyst for Peter's second major sermon in Acts, found in [Acts 3:12-26](/acts/3-12-26 "Acts 3:12-26 - Peter's Second Sermon"), which further proclaims Jesus as the Messiah and calls for repentance, leading to significant opposition from the religious authorities in [Acts 4](/acts/4 "Acts 4 - Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the Temple in Jerusalem, specifically the gate called Beautiful, which was likely a prominent and ornate entrance where beggars often gathered, relying on the generosity of those entering for worship. Begging was a common means of survival for the disabled in a society without social welfare systems. The man's lameness "from his mother's womb" ([Acts 3:2](/acts/3-2 "Acts 3:2 - The Lame Man at the Temple Gate")) emphasizes the congenital and incurable nature of his condition, making his healing undeniably miraculous. The reference to "Jesus Christ of Nazareth" was crucial in this Jewish context, identifying Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah (Christ) and linking Him to His earthly origins, a point of contention for many who dismissed Him due to His humble background from Nazareth ([John 1:46](/john/1-46 "John 1:46 - Can Anything Good Come Out of Nazareth?")).
* **Key Themes:** This passage profoundly contributes to several overarching themes in Acts. Firstly, it highlights the **power and authority of the resurrected Jesus** actively working through His apostles, demonstrating that the Holy Spirit's empowerment at Pentecost was not merely for speaking in tongues but for miraculous signs that validate the gospel message. Secondly, it underscores the **contrast between worldly resources and spiritual power**, showing that the church's true wealth lies not in material possessions but in the divine commission and presence of Christ. Thirdly, the healing serves as a **public demonstration of God's redemptive work**, drawing attention and providing an undeniable platform for proclaiming the good news of Jesus' death and resurrection, echoing Jesus' own ministry of healing as a sign of the Kingdom of God's arrival ([Matthew 4:23-24](/matthew/4-23-24 "Matthew 4:23-24 - Jesus Heals the Sick")). Finally, it exemplifies the **apostolic mission** to bear witness to Jesus, not just through words but through deeds that manifest His power.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **give I (Greek, _dídōmi'_):** This verb signifies "to give" in a very wide application, often implying bestowal, granting, or delivering. In Peter's declaration, "such as I have give I thee," it conveys the active imparting of something possessed. Peter is not merely offering a wish but an authoritative transfer of divine power, demonstrating that what he "has" is not material but spiritual, derived directly from Christ. The act of giving here is a powerful, active, and immediate impartation of healing.
* **name (Greek, _ónoma'_):** More than a mere label, "name" in biblical thought (especially in the phrase "in the name of") encapsulates the full authority, character, reputation, and presence of the person. To act "in the name of Jesus Christ" means to act by His authority, under His power, and as His representative, invoking His very person and character to accomplish the deed. It is not a magical incantation but an acknowledgment of His supreme authority and the channel through which divine power flows.
* **rise up (Greek, _egeírō'_):** This word means "to waken," "rouse," or "raise up" from sleep, lying, disease, or even death. Here, it is an imperative command for the lame man to literally get up from his prostrate position. The term carries a profound sense of divine enablement and resurrection power, mirroring how Jesus Himself was "raised up" from the dead. It implies a total transformation from a state of incapacitation to one of full mobility and vitality.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none;":** Peter's opening statement is a stark and honest declaration of his personal financial status. It immediately disabuses the lame man of any expectation of monetary relief, setting the stage for a different kind of provision. This humility also highlights the early apostles' reliance not on worldly wealth but on a spiritual treasury.
* **"but such as I have give I thee:":** This clause marks a dramatic pivot. Despite his material poverty, Peter asserts that he possesses something of immense value, something he is prepared to "give." This "something" is the divine power and authority vested in him by Jesus Christ, a power far surpassing any earthly currency. It underscores the spiritual richness of the apostles and the early church.
* **"In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.":** This is the core of the command and the source of the miracle. The healing is explicitly attributed not to Peter's own ability or piety, but to the authority and power inherent in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The specification "of Nazareth" grounds Jesus in His historical reality, while "Christ" affirms His messianic identity. The dual imperatives "rise up and walk" are direct, authoritative commands, demonstrating the immediate and transformative power unleashed through Jesus' name.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs **Juxtaposition**, contrasting Peter's material poverty ("Silver and gold have I none") with the spiritual abundance and authority he possesses ("such as I have give I thee"). This highlights the kingdom's values, where divine power far outweighs earthly wealth. The use of **Imperative Mood** in "rise up and walk" conveys the absolute authority and certainty of the command, emphasizing that the healing is not a request or a hope, but a direct, powerful decree. Furthermore, the phrase "In the name of Jesus Christ" functions as a form of **Metonymy**, where "name" stands in for the entire person, authority, character, and power of Jesus. It signifies acting by His proxy and with His full backing, making the miracle a direct manifestation of Christ's ongoing work.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 3:6 powerfully illustrates the early church's understanding that their mission and power flowed directly from the resurrected Christ. The healing is not merely an act of compassion but a profound theological statement: God is actively at work through His Spirit, validating the apostles' message about Jesus. It underscores that true spiritual authority and effectiveness are not contingent on material resources or human abilities, but on a deep reliance on and identification with the person and power of Jesus Christ. This miracle, performed publicly at the Temple, served as an undeniable sign to the Jewish people that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was now working through the Messiah, Jesus, whom they had crucified.

* [Acts 4:10](/acts/4-10 "Acts 4:10 - Healing by the Name of Jesus")
* [Acts 4:12](/acts/4-12 "Acts 4:12 - Salvation in No Other Name")
* [Matthew 10:1](/matthew/10-1 "Matthew 10:1 - Jesus Gives Authority to His Disciples")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 3:6 serves as a profound reminder for believers today that our effectiveness in God's kingdom does not stem from our worldly possessions, social standing, or personal talents, but from our intimate connection to and reliance upon Jesus Christ. Peter's bold declaration, "Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee," challenges us to examine what we truly possess and what we are willing to offer. Do we, like Peter, recognize the immeasurable value of the spiritual authority and power available to us in Christ? This passage calls us to step out in faith, ministering in the name of Jesus, trusting that His power, not our own, will accomplish His purposes. It encourages us to prioritize spiritual wealth over material gain and to be channels through which God's transformative power can flow into a hurting world, bringing healing, hope, and the undeniable reality of His presence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "silver and gold" might I be relying on instead of the power of Jesus Christ in my life or ministry?**
* **In what areas of my life or service am I called to "give what I have" in the name of Jesus, even if it feels insufficient by worldly standards?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper reliance on the authority and power of Jesus' name in my daily walk and interactions?**

### FAQ
**Why did Peter explicitly state, "Silver and gold have I none"?**

Answer: Peter's statement serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it manages the lame man's immediate expectation, as beggars typically sought monetary alms. Secondly, it highlights the early apostles' personal poverty, underscoring that their power did not come from worldly resources or personal wealth. Instead, it came from a divine source, emphasizing that the miracle was not a transaction but a divine intervention. This declaration sets a clear distinction between the temporary relief of money and the profound, life-altering power of Jesus Christ.

**What does it mean to act "In the name of Jesus Christ"?**

Answer: Acting "in the name of Jesus Christ" is far more than simply uttering a phrase; it signifies acting by the authority, power, and character of Jesus Himself. It means that Peter was not performing the miracle by his own inherent ability, but as a representative and channel for Christ's power. It implies invoking Jesus' presence and authority to accomplish His will. This concept is foundational to the New Testament, as believers are empowered to pray, teach, and perform works in His name ([John 14:13-14](/john/14-13-14 "John 14:13-14 - Ask in My Name"), [Colossians 3:17](/colossians/3-17 "Colossians 3:17 - Do Everything in the Name of the Lord Jesus")).

**Was this type of miraculous healing common in the early church?**

Answer: Yes, miraculous healings were a significant and recurring feature of the early church's ministry, especially through the apostles. The book of Acts frequently records instances of healing, deliverance, and other signs and wonders accompanying the preaching of the gospel ([Acts 2:43](/acts/2-43 "Acts 2:43 - Many Wonders and Signs"), [Acts 5:12](/acts/5-12 "Acts 5:12 - Apostles Perform Many Signs and Wonders"), [Acts 6:8](/acts/6-8 "Acts 6:8 - Stephen Full of Grace and Power")). These miracles served as powerful confirmations of the resurrection of Jesus and the truth of the apostles' message, drawing many to faith and demonstrating the ongoing power of the Holy Spirit at work in the world.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 3:6 finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the true source of all healing and authority. Peter's declaration and the subsequent miracle are a direct continuation of Jesus' own earthly ministry, where He consistently demonstrated His power over sickness and infirmity as a sign of the dawning of God's Kingdom ([Matthew 9:35](/matthew/9-35 "Matthew 9:35 - Jesus Heals and Teaches")). The lame man's immediate and complete healing foreshadows the comprehensive restoration that Christ brings, not just physically, but spiritually. It is because Jesus "of Nazareth" was crucified and then "raised up" by God ([Acts 2:24](/acts/2-24 "Acts 2:24 - God Raised Jesus From the Dead")) that His "name" now carries such unparalleled authority. The power Peter wielded was not his own, but Christ's, demonstrating that the resurrected Lord continues to work through His body, the church, to bring about redemption and wholeness. This miracle points to Jesus as the ultimate Healer and the one through whom all blessings, both temporal and eternal, flow, culminating in the promise of complete bodily resurrection and spiritual renewal for all who believe in His name ([Philippians 3:21](/philippians/3-21 "Philippians 3:21 - Our Humble Bodies Transformed")).

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 3:16

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.

Acts 10:38

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

Acts 4:10

Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, [even] by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

Acts 9:34

And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.

2 Corinthians 8:9

For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

Acts 16:18

And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

Mark 16:17

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;