RSV ~ Acts 3 Notes

Acts 3:1 | ISB Notes

Peter and John: Closely associated in the writings of Luke (8:14; Lk 22:8) and John (Jn 18:15; 20:2-3; 21:20-23).

the hour of prayer: Twice a day liturgical services were held in the Temple, at the time of the morning and evening sacrifices (Ex 29:38-39). The ninth hour corresponds to the evening prayers recited around 3 P.M., just a few hours before sunset and the end of the Jewish day. See note on Lk 1:10.

Acts 3:2 | ISB Notes

called Beautiful: Probably the gate that led from the outermost court of the Gentiles into a series of inner courts where only Israelites were permitted to worship.

Acts 3:8 | ISB Notes

leaping and praising God: The healing ministry of Jesus (Mt 11:5) continues through the apostles he has authorized to speak in his name (3:6; Mk 16:17-18).

• The leaping of the man once lame is a sign that the messianic age has arrived (Is 35:6; Mal 4:2).

Acts 3:11 | ISB Notes

portico called Solomon’s: A colonnade walkway along the eastern edge of the Temple platform. It was a favorite meeting place of the early Christians (5:12), as it had been for Jesus (Jn 10:23).

Acts 3:13 | ISB Notes

God of Abraham … Isaac … Jacob: The formula spoken to Moses at the burning bush (Ex 3:6).

glorified his servant: The Father glorified Jesus in his suffering, dying, and rising.

See word study: Glorify at Jn 17:1.

• Peter identifies Jesus as the messianic Servant of the Lord, who is exalted and lifted up (in Gk., “glorified”) in Is 52:13. The context of this excerpt includes the entire song of the “Suffering Servant”, which runs from Is 52:13 to 53:12. It is clear by the end of the song that Yahweh glorified his Servant because he endured the rejection of his people and offered his life as a sacrifice for sin. This prophecy is examined again in 8:32-33.

Acts 3:14 | ISB Notes

a murderer: Barabbas (Lk 23:18-19).

Acts 3:15 | ISB Notes

the Author of life: All creation and life comes from Jesus Christ, who created the world with the Father (Jn 1:1-4; Heb 1:2) and renews the world through the Spirit (Jn 20:2223; 2 Cor 3:18).

Acts 3:17 | ISB Notes

acted in ignorance: The perpetrators of Christ’s death were unaware of the full gravity of their actions or the divine plan that lay behind them (Lk 23:34). See note on Acts 2:23.

Acts 3:19 | ISB Notes

sins may be blotted out: That is, through Baptism (2:38; 22:16).

Acts 3:22 | ISB Notes

The Lord God will raise: Peter identifies Jesus as the messianic prophet envisioned in the Torah.

• Moses forewarned in Deut 18:15-19 that a prophet after his own likeness would arise in Israel bearing the word of the Lord. Failure to heed this prophet would bring a curse of destruction and disinheritance upon the impenitent. This prophecy is quoted again in 7:37.

Acts 3:25 | ISB Notes

And in your posterity: A reference to the Abrahamic covenant ratified by divine oath in Gen 22:18.

• Yahweh swore an oath to make the descendants of Abraham his chosen instrument for blessing the world. As the messianic son of Abraham, Jesus makes this promise a reality, first by restoring life to Israel (5:31; Mt 10:5-6) and then by using believers from Israel to bless the nations with the gospel (15:16-18; Mt 28:18-20).