Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Acts 3:11

"And as he held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon`s, greatly wondering." — Acts 3:11 (ASV)

We are not given many of the “stage directions” for Peter’s Colonnade sermon. What we are told, however, is significant: (1) the healed cripple “held on to” Peter and John so as not to let them get away; (2) “the people” came running to them in Solomon’s Colonnade; and (3) they were “astonished” at what had happened. Solomon’s Colonnade was a covered portico that ran the entire length of the eastern portion of the outer court of the temple precincts, along and just inside the eastern wall of the temple (cf. 5:12).

The sermon focuses on God’s Servant, Jesus, whom Israel disowned and killed but God raised from the dead. It is through his name and the faith that comes through him that the healing of the crippled beggar occurred. In speaking of Jesus, Peter uses a number of early christological titles. (1) The sermon begins and ends by ascribing to Jesus the title “God’s Servant” (vv.13, 26), which echoes the Servant theme of Isaiah 42–53 (cf. Isaiah 52:13). (2) Peter uses the theme of Moses as prophet (Dt 18:15, 18–19) and applies it to Jesus (vv.22–23). (3) He includes the titles “the Holy One” and “the Righteous One” (v.14) and the ascription “the author of life” (v.15). (4) And Peter stresses “the name of Jesus” as the powerful agent in the miracle ()—a significant fact since “the Name” was a pious Jewish surrogate for God and connoted his divine presence and power.