Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 3:12

"And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this man? or why fasten ye your eyes on us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made him to walk?" — Acts 3:12 (ASV)

When Peter saw it. He saw the people assembling in such multitudes and wondering at the miracle.

He answered. The word "answer," for us, implies that a question had been asked, or that some subject had been proposed for consideration. But the word is used in a different sense in the Bible. It is often used when no question was asked, but when an occasion was offered for remarks, or where an opportunity was presented to make a statement. It is the same as replying to a thing, or making a statement regarding some subject (Daniel 2:26; Acts 5:8).

You men of Israel. That is, Jews. .

Why do you marvel at this? The particular thing Peter intended to reprove here was not that they wondered, for that was proper, but that they looked on Peter and John as if they had been the authors of this healing. They ought to have understood it. The Jews were sufficiently acquainted with miracles to interpret them and to know from where they proceeded; and they ought not, therefore, to ascribe them to man, but to inquire why they had been performed by God.

Why do you look, etc. Why do you fix your eyes with amazement on us, as if we could do this? Why not look at once to God?

By our own power. That is, by any art of healing, or by any medicine, we had done this.

Or holiness. That is, piety; as if God had bestowed this on us on account of our personal and eminent piety.

It may be remarked that here was ample opportunity for them to establish a reputation of their own. The people were disposed to pay them honors; they might at once have laid claim to vast authority over them, but they refused all such personal honors and ascribed all to the Lord Jesus.

Whatever success may attend the ministers of the gospel, or however much the world may be disposed to do them honor, they should disclaim all power in themselves and ascribe it to the Lord Jesus Christ. It is not by the talents or personal holiness of ministers, valuable as these are, that people are saved; it is only by the power of God, designed to honor his Son. (See 2 Corinthians 3:5–6).