Acts 3:12
What does Acts 3:12 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 3:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 3:12 means
Seeing the gathered crowd's astonishment, Peter addressed them directly, questioning why they marveled at the healed man or why they attributed his healing to the apostles' personal power or piety. He immediately deflected any praise from himself and John, aiming to correct their misunderstanding. Peter sought to firmly root the miracle not in human ability but in divine intervention, preparing them to hear about the true source of power.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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?
KJV
King James Version · 1611And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And when Peter saw it he said to the people, You men of Israel, why are you so greatly surprised at this man? or why are you looking at us as if by our power or virtue we had given him the use of his legs?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and Peter having seen, answered unto the people, `Men, Israelites! why wonder ye at this? or on us why look ye so earnestly, as if by our own power or piety we have made him to walk?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But Peter seeing, made answer to the people: Ye men of Israel, why wonder you at this? Or why look you upon us, as if by our strength or power we had made this man to walk?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Peter, seeing it, answered the people, Men of Israel, why are ye astonished at this? or why do ye gaze on us as if we had by our own power or piety made him to walk?
Context
This verse marks the pivot from the miracle itself to Peter's explanation and sermon. Peter's immediate response to the crowd's wonder is to redirect their attention away from himself and John. This crucial move sets the theological foundation for his entire address, making it clear that the healing was not by human strength but by God's power, thereby preparing the audience for the revelation of Jesus as that source.
v.11And as he held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering.
v.12This passage
v.13The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Servant Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied before the face of Pilate, when he had determined to release him.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Romans 9:4
who are Israelites; whose is the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;
- John 3:27
John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it have been given him from heaven.
- 2 Corinthians 3:5
not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to account anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God;
- Acts 2:22
Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God unto you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him in the midst of you, even as ye yourselves know;
- Genesis 41:16
And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.
- Romans 11:1
I say then, Did God cast off his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
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