King James Version

What Does Acts 3:2 Mean?

Acts 3:2 in the King James Version says “And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is calle... — study this verse from Acts chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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;

Acts 3:2 · KJV


Context

1

Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

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;

3

Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.

4

And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The lame man 'from his mother's womb' emphasizes the miracle's magnitude - this wasn't recent injury but lifelong disability. Being 'laid daily' at the gate called Beautiful shows his begging was systematic and well-known. The contrast between his helplessness and coming transformation illustrates spiritual regeneration.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Beautiful Gate (possibly the Nicanor Gate) was on the temple's east side, a high-traffic location for almsgiving. This man was a known fixture, making his healing publicly verifiable.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this man's lifelong condition illustrate humanity's spiritual helplessness?
  2. What does his positioning at the temple teach about seeking in the wrong places?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 31 words
καί1 of 31

And

G2532

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

τις2 of 31

a certain

G5100

some or any person or object

ἀνὴρ3 of 31

man

G435

a man (properly as an individual male)

χωλὸς4 of 31
G5560

"halt", i.e., limping

ἐκ5 of 31

from

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

κοιλίας6 of 31

womb

G2836

a cavity, i.e., (especially) the abdomen; by implication, the matrix; figuratively, the heart

μητρὸς7 of 31

mother's

G3384

a "mother" (literally or figuratively, immediate or remote)

αὐτοῦ8 of 31
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

ὑπάρχων9 of 31

lame

G5225

to begin under (quietly), i.e., come into existence (be present or at hand); expletively, to exist (as copula or subordinate to an adjective, particip

ἐβαστάζετο10 of 31

was carried

G941

to lift, literally or figuratively (endure, declare, sustain, receive, etc.)

ὃν11 of 31

whom

G3739

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

ἐτίθουν12 of 31

they laid

G5087

to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different from g2476, which pr

καθ'13 of 31
G2596

(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)

ἡμέραν14 of 31

daily

G2250

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

πρὸς15 of 31

at

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,

τὸ16 of 31

which

G3588

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

θύραν17 of 31

the gate

G2374

a portal or entrance (the opening or the closure, literally or figuratively)

τὸ18 of 31

which

G3588

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

ἱερόν·19 of 31

of the temple

G2411

a sacred place, i.e., the entire precincts (whereas g3485 denotes the central sanctuary itself) of the temple (at jerusalem or elsewhere)

τὸ20 of 31

which

G3588

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

λεγομένην21 of 31

is called

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

Ὡραίαν22 of 31

Beautiful

G5611

belonging to the right hour or season (timely), i.e., (by implication) flourishing (beauteous (figuratively))

τὸ23 of 31

which

G3588

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

αἰτεῖν24 of 31

to ask

G154

to ask (in genitive case)

ἐλεημοσύνην25 of 31

alms

G1654

compassionateness, i.e., (as exercised towards the poor) beneficence, or (concretely) a benefaction

παρὰ26 of 31

of

G3844

properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj

τὸ27 of 31

which

G3588

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

εἰσπορευομένων28 of 31

them that entered

G1531

to enter (literally or figuratively)

εἰς29 of 31

into

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὸ30 of 31

which

G3588

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

ἱερόν·31 of 31

of the temple

G2411

a sacred place, i.e., the entire precincts (whereas g3485 denotes the central sanctuary itself) of the temple (at jerusalem or elsewhere)


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 3:2 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 3:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

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