Acts 3:7

KJV

And he took him by the right hand, and lifted [him] up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} he took {G4084} him {G846} by the right {G1188} hand {G5495}, and lifted him up {G1453}: and {G1161} immediately {G3916} his {G846} feet {G939} and {G2532} ankle bones {G4974} received strength {G4732}.

Complete Jewish Bible

And taking hold of him by his right hand, Kefa pulled him up. Instantly his feet and ankles became strong;

Berean Standard Bible

Taking him by the right hand, Peter helped him up, and at once the man’s feet and ankles were made strong.

American Standard Version

And he took him by the right hand, and raised him up: and immediately his feet and his ankle-bones received strength.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 3:7 vividly portrays the instantaneous and complete physical transformation of the lame man at the Beautiful Gate, following Peter's command in the name of Jesus Christ. This pivotal moment serves as the tangible evidence of divine power at work through the apostles, immediately restoring strength and function to the man's long-afflicted feet and ankle bones, setting the stage for his joyful response and the subsequent public testimony.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 3:7 is the climactic moment of the healing narrative that begins in [Acts 3:1](/acts/3-1 "Acts 3:1 - Peter and John go to the Temple"). Peter and John, on their way to the Temple for prayer, encounter a man lame from birth who is begging. After the man seeks alms, Peter declares that he has no silver or gold but offers what he does have: healing in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth ([Acts 3:6](/acts/3-6 "Acts 3:6 - Peter's Declaration to the Lame Man")). Verse 7 immediately follows this declaration, demonstrating the powerful and direct result of Peter's authoritative command. The subsequent verses ([Acts 3:8-10](/acts/3-8-10 "Acts 3:8-10 - The Healed Man's Response and Public Reaction")) detail the man's joyous reaction—walking, leaping, and praising God—and the astonishment of the onlookers, which then provides the backdrop for Peter's powerful sermon to the crowd in [Acts 3:11-26](/acts/3-11-26 "Acts 3:11-26 - Peter's Sermon at the Temple").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This event unfolds shortly after the Day of Pentecost, marking a period of rapid growth and miraculous manifestations within the nascent Christian community in Jerusalem. The Temple, particularly its gates, was a common place for beggars, as it was a high-traffic area where devout Jews would pass by on their way to prayer, often giving alms as an act of piety. The "Beautiful Gate" (likely one of the more ornate eastern gates of the Temple complex) was well-known, making the lame man a familiar figure to many. His lifelong lameness ([Acts 3:2](/acts/3-2 "Acts 3:2 - The Lame Man at the Beautiful Gate")) ensured that his healing would be undeniably miraculous and publicly verifiable, lending immense credibility to the apostles' message. The time of prayer (the ninth hour, or 3 PM) was a customary Jewish practice, highlighting that the apostles continued to participate in Jewish religious life even as they proclaimed the new covenant in Christ.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several key themes prevalent in the book of Acts. Firstly, it underscores the **Divine Power through Human Instruments**, demonstrating that ordinary individuals like Peter can be conduits for God's extraordinary power, not through their own might but through the authority of Jesus' name. This aligns with the broader theme of the Holy Spirit empowering believers for ministry, as seen in [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - The Promise of the Holy Spirit"). Secondly, it highlights the **Authority in Jesus' Name**, showing that the invocation of Christ's name carries tangible power, confirming His resurrection and ongoing authority, a theme Peter explicitly reiterates later in [Acts 4:10](/acts/4-10 "Acts 4:10 - Peter's Defense Before the Sanhedrin"). Thirdly, the **Immediate and Complete Healing** emphasizes the miraculous nature of God's intervention, leaving no room for doubt or gradual recovery, contrasting with natural processes and underscoring divine omnipotence. Finally, the event serves as a **Catalyst for Witness**, as the undeniable miracle draws a crowd, opening the door for Peter to preach the Gospel and call for repentance, a pattern repeated throughout [the book of Acts](/acts/1 "The Book of Acts").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **took (Greek, _piázō'_):** This word signifies to "seize" or "grasp," often with the nuance of a gentle but firm grip. In this context, it describes Peter's deliberate action of taking the man's hand, not merely touching him, but initiating a physical connection that facilitates the miraculous transfer of power. It suggests an active, purposeful engagement on Peter's part, a physical manifestation of his faith and the authority he wielded in Jesus' name.
* **lifted him up (Greek, _egeírō'_):** This verb means to "awaken," "raise," or "rouse." While it can refer to raising from sleep or even death, here it describes Peter's action of physically helping the man to his feet. Coupled with the immediate strengthening, it implies not just a physical elevation but a complete restoration to a state of uprightness and vitality, mirroring the spiritual awakening and new life offered through Christ.
* **received strength (Greek, _stereóō'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to make firm" or "to solidify," this term indicates a complete and stable restoration of integrity and firmness to the man's feet and ankle bones. It's not a temporary surge of energy or a partial improvement, but a fundamental, structural strengthening that enables full, robust function. This emphasizes the comprehensive and lasting nature of the divine healing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he took him by the right hand, and lifted [him] up:"** This clause describes Peter's direct and active involvement in the miracle. Peter initiated physical contact, a gesture of compassion and authority. The act of "lifting him up" is not merely assistance but an act of faith, a physical manifestation of the spiritual power being invoked. It suggests an expectation of immediate transformation, a bold move that precedes the visible manifestation of healing.
* **"and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength."** This second clause details the instantaneous and precise effect of Peter's action and divine power. The adverb "immediately" (παραχρῆμα, _parachrēma_) is crucial, emphasizing the miraculous nature of the event—no delay, no gradual recovery. The specific mention of "feet and ankle bones" highlights the exact locus of the man's lifelong disability, underscoring the completeness and specificity of the healing. The phrase "received strength" (ἐστερεώθησαν, _estereōthēsan_) confirms a total, firm, and stable restoration of physical integrity and function.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Narrative Pacing** is critically used, with the conjunction "and" (G2532, _kaí_) linking Peter's action directly to the man's healing, creating a sense of rapid, cause-and-effect progression. The most prominent device is **Emphasis** through the use of the adverb "immediately" (G3916, _parachrēma_), which powerfully underscores the instantaneous nature of the miracle, leaving no room for doubt about its divine origin or the completeness of the healing. This immediacy contrasts sharply with the man's lifelong lameness. There is also a subtle **Symbolism** in Peter's "right hand" (G1188, _dexiós_; G5495, _cheír_), often associated with power, authority, and blessing in biblical contexts, suggesting that Peter's hand became an instrument of God's powerful work. The detailed mention of "feet and ankle bones" (G939, _básis_; G4974, _sphyrón_) uses **Specificity** to highlight the exact and thorough nature of the physical restoration, making the miracle undeniable to any observer.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This miraculous healing in Acts 3:7 serves as a profound theological statement about the active presence and power of God in the early church, mediated through the name of Jesus Christ. It demonstrates that the same divine power that raised Jesus from the dead is now at work through His followers, not for personal glory but for the advancement of God's kingdom and the validation of the Gospel message. The immediate and complete nature of the healing underscores God's sovereignty over physical limitations and His desire for wholeness, both physical and spiritual. This event also highlights the theme of divine enablement, where God empowers ordinary individuals to perform extraordinary acts, thereby confirming the authority of the apostolic witness and the truth of their message about the resurrected Christ.

* [Mark 1:31](/mark/1-31 "Mark 1:31 - Jesus Heals Peter's Mother-in-Law")
* [Luke 5:25](/luke/5-25 "Luke 5:25 - The Paralytic Walks")
* [John 14:12](/john/14-12 "John 14:12 - Greater Works")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 3:7 is a powerful reminder that God's power is not confined to ancient history but remains active and transformative in the present. It challenges believers to move beyond passive observation and to step out in faith, allowing themselves to be instruments through whom God can work. Just as Peter did not offer what he lacked (money) but offered what he had (the power of Jesus' name), we are called to utilize the spiritual resources God has given us. This verse encourages us to cultivate a posture of expectation, believing that God is capable of bringing about immediate and profound change in seemingly impossible situations, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. It also reminds us that the ultimate purpose of such divine interventions is not merely the alleviation of suffering, but the glorification of God and the proclamation of His Son, Jesus Christ, inspiring others to believe and praise Him. Our faith, like Peter's, should be active, reaching out to those in need with the hope of the Gospel, trusting that God will provide the strength and power for His purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or in the lives of those around me do I need to see God's immediate and complete strength manifested?**
* **How can I, like Peter, be more intentional about offering what I have (faith, prayer, the name of Jesus) rather than lamenting what I lack?**
* **What "Beautiful Gates" (places of need or suffering) am I encountering, and how might God be calling me to act as an instrument of His power there?**
* **How does the instantaneous nature of this miracle impact my understanding of God's timing and ability to intervene?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of Peter taking the lame man by the right hand?**

Answer: Peter's action of taking the lame man by the right hand is highly significant. In biblical culture, the right hand often symbolized strength, authority, and blessing. It was a gesture of covenant, support, and power. By taking the man's hand, Peter was not merely offering physical assistance but was acting as a conduit for divine power, initiating a direct, personal connection through which the healing would flow. It was an act of faith, demonstrating Peter's conviction that the power of Jesus' name would indeed bring about a physical transformation. This physical touch also served to draw the man's attention and perhaps elicit a measure of receptive faith, as seen in [Acts 3:5](/acts/3-5 "Acts 3:5 - The Lame Man Gives Them His Attention"), where the man "gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them."

**Why is the word "immediately" so important in this verse?**

Answer: The word "immediately" (Greek, _parachrēma_) is crucial because it emphasizes the instantaneous and undeniable nature of the miracle. It eliminates any possibility of gradual recovery, psychosomatic effect, or a natural healing process. The man, lame from birth, was suddenly and completely restored. This immediacy serves several vital purposes: it underscores the divine origin of the healing, leaving no doubt that it was a supernatural act of God; it validates Peter's authority and the power of the name of Jesus; and it provides compelling evidence for the onlookers, making the miracle a powerful catalyst for their astonishment and subsequent openness to the Gospel message, as described in [Acts 3:9-10](/acts/3-9-10 "The People See and Are Amazed").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 3:7, depicting the immediate and complete healing of the lame man, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ Himself. This physical restoration is a powerful foreshadowing and tangible manifestation of the spiritual healing and new life that Christ offers to all humanity. Just as the lame man's feet and ankle bones "received strength," so too does Christ provide strength and wholeness to those spiritually crippled by sin, enabling them to "walk" in newness of life. The power Peter wielded was not his own, but flowed directly from the resurrected Christ, who, through His death and resurrection, conquered sin, sickness, and death itself. The miracle points to Jesus as the true source of all healing and restoration, the one who came to give life, and life more abundantly ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "Jesus Gives Abundant Life")). The man's ability to walk, leap, and praise God after being healed ([Acts 3:8](/acts/3-8 "The Healed Man Walks and Praises God")) beautifully illustrates the freedom and joy found in spiritual liberation through Christ, who sets the captives free ([Luke 4:18](/luke/4-18 "Jesus' Mission Statement")). Ultimately, this event anticipates the ultimate bodily resurrection and glorification promised to believers through Christ's triumph over death ([1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54-57 "Victory Over Death")).

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

Mark 9:27

But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.

Mark 1:31

And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.

Acts 9:41

And he gave her [his] hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.

Mark 5:41

And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.

Luke 13:13

And he laid [his] hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.