John Gill Commentary Acts 3:12

John Gill Commentary

Acts 3:12

1697–1771
Reformed Baptist
John Gill
John Gill

John Gill Commentary

Acts 3:12

1697–1771
Reformed Baptist
SCRIPTURE

"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)

And when Peter saw it That the people ran to them, and looked wistly upon them, and wondered at what was done: he answered unto the people, you men of Israel, why marvel you at this? either at this man, who was cured of his lameness, or at the cure itself:

or why look you so earnestly on us; suggesting, that they ought to look to God, and observe his divine power, and to the Lord Jesus Christ, whom they had crucified, whose apostles they were, and in whose name, and by whose power they had wrought this miracle; which shows that they were not self-seeking and vain glorious men, but discovers great sincerity and integrity, much love to Christ, and great regard to his honour, and to the glory of God:

as though by our own power and holiness we had made this man to walk? as if it was any natural power of theirs; or for any merit of theirs, because of their strict religion and piety; or "laudable conversation", as the Arabic version; because they were mightier in themselves and holier than others, that they had such a faculty of curing lame persons; all which they utterly reject, and place it to a right account in the next verse.

Instead of "holiness", the Syriac version reads "authority"; and to the same, or like sense, the Vulgate Latin, which seems most agreeable.