King James Version

What Does Acts 3:12 Mean?

Acts 3:12 in the King James Version says “And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly... — study this verse from Acts chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?

Acts 3:12 · KJV


Context

10

And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.

11

And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering.

12

And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?

13

The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.

14

But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Peter immediately deflected attention: 'why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?' This redirection from instruments to source characterizes authentic ministry. All glory belongs to Christ, not His servants.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Peter's disclaimer prevented the crowd from attributing the miracle to apostolic merit. This contrasted with Simon Magus (Acts 8:9) who sought personal glory through spiritual power.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you deflect honor toward Christ when God uses you?
  2. What dangers exist in accepting credit for what God accomplishes through you?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 26 words
ἰδὼν1 of 26

saw

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

δὲ2 of 26

And

G1161

but, and, etc

Πέτρος3 of 26

when Peter

G4074

a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle

ἀπεκρίνατο4 of 26

it he answered

G611

to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)

πρὸς5 of 26

unto

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

τὸν6 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

λαόν7 of 26

the people

G2992

a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)

Ἄνδρες8 of 26

Ye men

G435

a man (properly as an individual male)

Ἰσραηλῖται9 of 26

of Israel

G2475

an "israelite", i.e., descendant of israel (literally or figuratively)

τί10 of 26

why

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

θαυμάζετε11 of 26

marvel ye

G2296

to wonder; by implication, to admire

ἐπὶ12 of 26

at

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τούτῳ13 of 26

this

G5129

to (in, with or by) this (person or thing)

14 of 26

or

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

ἡμῖν15 of 26

on us

G2254

to (or for, with, by) us

τί16 of 26

why

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

ἀτενίζετε17 of 26

look ye so earnestly

G816

to gaze intently

ὡς18 of 26

as though

G5613

which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)

ἰδίᾳ19 of 26

by our own

G2398

pertaining to self, i.e., one's own; by implication, private or separate

δυνάμει20 of 26

power

G1411

force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself)

21 of 26

or

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

εὐσεβείᾳ22 of 26

holiness

G2150

piety; specially, the gospel scheme

πεποιηκόσιν23 of 26

we had made

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

τοῦ24 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

περιπατεῖν25 of 26

to walk

G4043

to tread all around, i.e., walk at large (especially as proof of ability); figuratively, to live, deport oneself, follow (as a companion or votary)

αὐτόν26 of 26

this man

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 3:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 3:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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