Acts 4:22

For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.

For {G1063} the man {G444} was {G2258} above {G4119} forty {G5062} years old {G2094}, on {G1909} whom {G3739} this {G5124} miracle {G4592} of healing {G2392} was shewed {G1096}.

since the man who had been miraculously healed was more than forty years old.

For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.

For the man was more than forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was wrought.

Acts 4:22 provides a crucial detail regarding the miraculous healing of the lame man at the Beautiful Gate, a miracle that served as the catalyst for Peter and John's arrest and subsequent defense before the Sanhedrin.

Context

This verse appears during Peter and John's interrogation by the Jewish high court, the Sanhedrin. In Acts 3:2, we learn the man had been lame from birth and was daily laid at the Temple gate. The healing, performed in the name of Jesus Christ, caused a sensation and led to Peter's powerful sermon. The authorities, particularly the Sadducees who denied the resurrection, were greatly disturbed by the apostles' preaching about Jesus and His resurrection, leading to their apprehension. When confronted, Peter boldly declared that the healing was done by the power of Jesus of Nazareth, whom they had crucified.

Key Themes

  • Undeniable Evidence: The man's age (above forty years old) is a significant detail. It underscores that his lameness was not a recent or minor ailment but a lifelong, well-known condition. This made the miracle irrefutable and publicly verifiable, leaving the Sanhedrin in a difficult position.
  • Validation of the Gospel: The miracle served as a powerful sign (Greek: semeion) that validated the apostles' message. It demonstrated divine approval for their claims about Jesus' resurrection and His ongoing power.
  • Divine Power at Work: This verse highlights the profound and transformative power of God working through His apostles, confirming that the early church's ministry was accompanied by supernatural manifestations.
  • Public Witness: The healing was not done in secret but in a very public place—the Temple gate—ensuring many witnesses and making it impossible for the authorities to deny the event itself (Acts 4:16).

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "miracle" here is part of the phrase "this miracle of healing was shewed" (Greek: to gegonoti semeio tēs iaseōs). The term semeion (sign) emphasizes that the healing was not merely a wonder (teras) but a significant event pointing to a deeper truth – the power and authority of Jesus Christ and the authenticity of the apostles' message.

Practical Application

Acts 4:22 reminds believers that God's truth often comes with undeniable evidence. While physical miracles may not be commonplace today, the transformative power of the Gospel in changed lives serves as a powerful witness. It encourages us to boldly share the truth of Christ, knowing that His power and validation stand behind His message, even when faced with opposition. Just as the lame man's healing was a public testament, our lives can be a public witness to God's work.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Acts 9:33

    And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.

  • John 5:5

    And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.

  • Matthew 9:20

    And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind [him], and touched the hem of his garment:

  • Luke 13:11

    And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up [herself].

  • John 9:1

    ¶ And as [Jesus] passed by, he saw a man which was blind from [his] birth.

  • Acts 3:2

    And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

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