A.T. Robertson Commentary Acts 3
A.T. Robertson Commentary
Acts 3
A.T. Robertson Commentary
Acts 3
"Now Peter and John were going up into the temple at the hour of prayer, [being] the ninth [hour]." — Acts 3:1 (ASV)
Were going up (ανεβαινον). Descriptive imperfect active. They were ascending the terraces to the temple courts.
The ninth (την ενατην). Our three o'clock in the afternoon, the time of the evening sacrifice. Peter and John like Paul later kept up the Jewish worship, but not as a means of sacramental redemption. There were three hours of prayer (third, sixth, ninth).
"And a certain man that was lame from his mother`s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the door of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;" — Acts 3:2 (ASV)
Was carried (εβασταζετο). Imperfect passive, picturing the process as in verse 1.
Laid daily (ετιθουν καθ' ημεραν). Imperfect again describing their custom with this man.
Beautiful (Hωραιαν). This gate is not so called elsewhere. It may have been the Gate of Nicanor on the east side looking towards Kidron described by Josephus (Ant. XV. 11, 3; War V. 5, 3) as composed chiefly of Corinthian brass and very magnificent.
"who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked to receive an alms." — Acts 3:3 (ASV)
Asked (ηρωτα). Began to ask, inchoative imperfect. It was his chance.
"And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something from them." — Acts 3:5 (ASV)
Gave heed unto them (επειχεν αυτοις). Imperfect active of επεχω, to hold to. For the idiom with τον νουν understood see 7:14; 1 Timothy 4:16. He held his eyes right on Peter and John with great eagerness "expecting to receive something" (προσδοκων τ λαβειν). He took Peter's invitation as a promise of a large gift.
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