Acts 3:8

KJV

And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} he leaping up {G1814} stood {G2476}, and {G2532} walked {G4043}, and {G2532} entered {G1525} with {G4862} them {G846} into {G1519} the temple {G2411}, walking {G4043}, and {G2532} leaping {G242}, and {G2532} praising {G134} God {G2316}.

Complete Jewish Bible

so that he sprang up, stood a moment, and began walking. Then he entered the Temple court with them, walking and leaping and praising God!

Berean Standard Bible

He sprang to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and leaping and praising God.

American Standard Version

And leaping up, he stood, and began to walk; and he entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 3:8 vividly portrays the immediate, exuberant, and public response of the man who had been lame from birth, instantly healed by Peter and John at the Temple's Beautiful Gate. This verse captures the profound moment divine power intersects with human suffering, culminating in an uncontainable outburst of physical activity and heartfelt worship, serving as undeniable proof of God's miraculous intervention.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the climactic demonstration of the miracle initiated in [Acts 3:6-7](/acts/3-6-7 "Acts 3:6-7 - Peter Heals the Lame Man"). Peter, empowered by the Holy Spirit, had commanded the man, who had been begging for alms, to "rise up and walk" in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. The immediate and complete healing, evidenced by the man's dramatic actions in verse 8—standing, walking, leaping, and entering the Temple—provides irrefutable proof of the miracle to the gathered crowds. This public spectacle then sets the stage for Peter's subsequent sermon in [Acts 3:12-26](/acts/3-12-26 "Acts 3:12-26 - Peter's Sermon in Solomon's Portico"), where he explains the source of this power and calls the people to repentance and faith in Jesus. The man's actions are not merely a personal expression of joy but a public validation of the apostles' message.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The event takes place at the "Beautiful Gate" of the Temple in Jerusalem, a prominent and highly trafficked entrance, particularly during the hour of prayer (the ninth hour, or 3 PM, as mentioned in [Acts 3:1](/acts/3-1 "Acts 3:1 - Peter and John Go to the Temple")). This setting ensures a large audience, making the miracle a public spectacle rather than a private event. For a man lame from birth, begging at the Temple gate was a common means of survival, as he was unable to work. His presence there would have been well-known to regular Temple-goers, adding to the credibility of his healing. Entering the Temple was also significant; as a lame man, he would have been restricted from certain areas, and his unhindered entry signifies not just physical healing but also social and religious reintegration. The act of "praising God" within the Temple precincts aligns with Jewish customs of worship and thanksgiving.

* **Key Themes:** [Acts 3](/acts/3 "Acts 3 - The Healing at the Beautiful Gate") showcases several pivotal themes. Firstly, it powerfully demonstrates **Divine Power and Authority**, particularly the power of Jesus' name, which is the direct instrument of healing. The instantaneous and complete nature of the man's recovery underscores God's sovereign ability to transform. Secondly, the narrative highlights **Public Witness and Validation**. The miracle occurs in a highly visible location, ensuring that many onlookers witness the undeniable transformation, thus validating the apostles' message and the resurrection of Jesus. This public display serves as a powerful evangelistic tool, much like other public healings in the Gospels, such as when [Jesus healed the paralytic and he took up his bed](/mark/2-12 "Mark 2:12 - Jesus Heals a Paralytic"). Thirdly, the man's response embodies **Exuberant Joy and Worship**. His "leaping" and "praising God" are spontaneous, uninhibited expressions of profound gratitude and overwhelming joy, illustrating the natural human reaction to experiencing God's miraculous grace and deliverance. This joy is a testament to the new life found in Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **leaping up (Greek, _exállomai'_):** From G1814, meaning "to spring forth." This word emphasizes the sudden, vigorous, and almost explosive nature of the man's initial movement. It conveys an immediate, uncontained burst of energy and joy, a physical manifestation of his newfound freedom and ability.
* **walked (Greek, _peripatéō'_):** From G4043, meaning "to tread all around, i.e. walk at large." This term describes the man's ability to move freely and purposefully, confirming his complete healing. Its repetition later in the verse ("walking") underscores the sustained nature of his new mobility, demonstrating not just a momentary ability but a restored capacity for life.
* **praising (Greek, _ainéō'_):** From G134, meaning "to praise (God)." This word signifies active, celebratory worship and acknowledgment. It indicates that the man's physical exuberance was not merely a display of joy but a direct, vocal expression of gratitude and adoration directed towards God, whom he recognized as the source of his miraculous transformation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he leaping up stood":** This phrase captures the immediate and dramatic effect of the healing. The man, who had never walked, instantly springs to his feet, demonstrating a sudden surge of strength and vitality that defies his lifelong infirmity. His ability to "stand" is the foundational proof of his healing.
* **"and walked":** Following his initial leap and standing, the man proceeds to walk. This action confirms the full restoration of his legs and feet, indicating not just a momentary ability to bear weight but a functional capacity for locomotion, something previously impossible for him.
* **"and entered with them into the temple":** This signifies not only his physical ability to move but also his reintegration into public and religious life. The Temple, a place where he previously sat outside begging, now becomes a space he can freely enter, accompanied by Peter and John, symbolizing his acceptance and participation in the community of faith.
* **"walking, and leaping, and praising God":** This final clause reiterates and intensifies the man's actions. The repetition of "walking" and "leaping" emphasizes the continuous, uninhibited, and joyful expression of his newfound mobility. The addition of "praising God" reveals the spiritual dimension of his response, clarifying that his physical exuberance is rooted in profound gratitude and worship for the divine source of his miracle.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 3:8 is rich in **Imagery** and **Repetition**, vividly painting a picture of radical transformation. The verbs "leaping up," "stood," "walked," and "entered" create a dynamic sequence of actions that highlight the instantaneous and complete nature of the healing. The **Repetition** of "walking" and "leaping" towards the end of the verse ("walking, and leaping, and praising God") serves to emphasize the continuous, uncontainable joy and freedom the man experiences. This iteration reinforces the profound change in his physical state and the sheer exuberance of his response. The scene employs **Contrast** between his former state of lameness and his new state of unrestrained movement and praise, making the miracle all the more impactful. The man's actions are a powerful **Symbolism** of spiritual liberation and the new life found in Christ, where the formerly bound are now free to move and worship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The healing of the lame man at the Temple gate, culminating in his joyous actions in Acts 3:8, profoundly illustrates God's compassionate power to bring about radical transformation. It demonstrates that divine intervention is not merely about alleviating suffering but about restoring individuals to wholeness—physically, socially, and spiritually. The man's uninhibited praise underscores the appropriate human response to experiencing God's grace: an overflow of gratitude and worship. This event also serves as a powerful public testimony to the resurrection and authority of Jesus Christ, through whom such miracles are performed, validating the apostles' message and calling people to repentance and faith.

* [Psalm 107:20](/psalm/107-20 "Psalm 107:20 - He sent out his word and healed them")
* [Luke 17:15-16](/luke/17-15-16 "Luke 17:15-16 - The Grateful Leper")
* [Isaiah 35:6](/isaiah/35-6 "Isaiah 35:6 - Then shall the lame man leap as an hart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 3:8 offers a powerful invitation to reflect on the transformative power of God in our own lives. Just as the lame man was instantly freed from his physical infirmity, God desires to bring radical healing and liberation to us, whether from the spiritual lameness of sin, the emotional burdens of past wounds, or the physical limitations we face. Our response to God's grace should mirror the man's: an uninhibited, joyful expression of gratitude and praise. Are we truly allowing God to transform us, and are we responding with the kind of exuberant worship that testifies to His goodness? Our lives, when touched by God, become living testimonies, not just for our own benefit, but as a public witness to His power and love, encouraging others to seek Him. This verse challenges us to live out our faith with visible joy and to let our transformed lives be a continuous act of worship.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "lameness" or limitations in your life might God be calling you to trust Him for healing or transformation?**
* **How does your current expression of joy and praise reflect the magnitude of God's work in your life?**
* **In what ways can your transformed life serve as a public witness to God's power and goodness, much like the lame man's actions?**
* **What does it mean to "enter the temple" (or God's presence) with uninhibited joy and praise after experiencing His grace?**

### FAQ
**Why did the man leap and praise God so exuberantly?**

Answer: The man's actions were a spontaneous and uncontainable expression of overwhelming joy, gratitude, and newfound freedom. Having been lame from birth, he had never walked, stood, or leaped before. His physical actions were a direct, immediate, and visceral response to the miraculous healing he experienced through the power of Jesus Christ. His praise was a natural acknowledgment of God as the true source of this profound transformation, a common and appropriate response in Jewish culture to divine intervention. His public display also served as irrefutable proof of the miracle for all who witnessed it.

**What is the significance of the man entering the Temple after being healed?**

Answer: Entering the Temple was highly significant for several reasons. Firstly, it demonstrated the completeness of his physical healing; he could now walk freely into a sacred space from which his physical condition might have previously restricted him from certain areas. Secondly, it symbolized his reintegration into the religious and social community. As a beggar at the gate, he was on the periphery; now he could participate fully. Thirdly, it underscored the spiritual dimension of his healing. He immediately went to the place of worship to praise God, recognizing the divine source of his miracle. His entry into the Temple, accompanied by Peter and John, also served as a powerful public testimony to the miracle, setting the stage for Peter's sermon to the gathered crowds in [Acts 3:12](/acts/3-12 "Acts 3:12 - Peter's Address to the People").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The healing of the lame man in Acts 3:8 is a powerful demonstration of the redemptive work of Christ, extending beyond physical restoration to spiritual fulfillment. Just as the man was made whole and enabled to walk and leap, Christ's atoning work on the cross provides a spiritual healing that frees humanity from the lameness of sin and the inability to walk in God's ways. Through faith in Him, we are spiritually "leaping up" from our former state of spiritual paralysis, able to "walk" in newness of life (as described in [Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Walking in Newness of Life")). The man's entry into the Temple, praising God, foreshadows the access believers now have to God's presence through Christ, who is the true Temple (as referenced in [John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Speaks of His Body as the Temple")). Our "leaping" and "praising God" are the natural responses of those redeemed by 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")), enabling us to live lives of joyful obedience and worship, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and ultimately leading us into the eternal presence of God (as promised in [Revelation 21:3-4](/revelation/21-3-4 "Revelation 21:3-4 - God Dwells with His People")).

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

Isaiah 35:6

Then shall the lame [man] leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.

Acts 14:10

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

Psalms 107:20

He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered [them] from their destructions.

Psalms 107:22

And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.

Luke 6:23

Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward [is] great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.

Psalms 103:1

¶ [A Psalm] of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, [bless] his holy name.

Psalms 103:2

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: