King James Version

What Does Acts 3:16 Mean?

Acts 3:16 in the King James Version says “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 h... — study this verse from Acts chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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 3:16 · KJV


Context

14

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

15

And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. Prince: or, Author

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.

17

And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.

18

But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The healing occurred 'through faith in his name' - not faith of the lame man (who expected alms) but faith exercised through the apostles. The phrase 'his name' represents Christ's person, power, and authority. Perfect soundness came not gradually but instantaneously 'in the presence of you all.'

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The 'name' in Hebrew thought represented the person's character and authority. Invoking Jesus' name meant acting in His power and according to His will.

Reflection Questions

  1. Whose faith brought this healing, and what does that teach about intercession?
  2. How does healing 'in Jesus' name' differ from magical incantation?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 30 words
καὶ1 of 30

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐπὶ2 of 30

through

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

τῇ3 of 30
G3588

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

πίστις4 of 30

faith

G4102

persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ

τοῦ5 of 30
G3588

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

ὄνομα6 of 30

in his name

G3686

a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)

αὐτῷ7 of 30

him

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

τοῦτον8 of 30

this

G5126

this (person, as objective of verb or preposition)

ὃν9 of 30

whom

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

θεωρεῖτε10 of 30

ye see

G2334

to be a spectator of, i.e., discern, (literally, figuratively (experience) or intensively (acknowledge))

καὶ11 of 30

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

οἴδατε12 of 30

know

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

ἐστερέωσεν13 of 30

hath made

G4732

to solidify, i.e., confirm (literally or figuratively)

τὸ14 of 30
G3588

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

ὄνομα15 of 30

in his name

G3686

a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)

αὐτῷ16 of 30

him

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

καὶ17 of 30

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

18 of 30
G3588

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

πίστις19 of 30

faith

G4102

persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ

20 of 30
G3588

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

δι'21 of 30

by

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

αὐτῷ22 of 30

him

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

ἔδωκεν23 of 30

hath given

G1325

to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)

αὐτῷ24 of 30

him

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

τὴν25 of 30
G3588

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

ὁλοκληρίαν26 of 30

perfect soundness

G3647

integrity, i.e., physical wholeness

ταύτην27 of 30
G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

ἀπέναντι28 of 30

in the presence

G561

from in front, i.e., opposite, before or against

πάντων29 of 30

all

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

ὑμῶν30 of 30

of you

G5216

of (from or concerning) you


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 3:16 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 3:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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