Acts 3:16
What does Acts 3:16 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 3:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 3:16 means
Peter directly connected the healing of the lame man to "faith in his name"—meaning faith in Jesus' name. He explained that Jesus' name itself, activated by faith, had provided perfect soundness to the man whom they all recognized. This clarifies that the miracle was not by the apostles' power, but by the power and authority of Jesus, accessed through faith, thereby giving Him all the glory.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And by faith in his name hath his name made this man strong, whom ye behold and know: yea, the faith which is through him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And by faith in his name hath his name made this man strong, whom ye behold and know: yea, the faith which is through him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And his name, through faith in his name, has made this man strong, whom you see and have knowledge of: yes, the faith which is through him has made him well, before you all.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and on the faith of his name, this one whom ye see and have known, his name made strong, even the faith that <FI>is<Fi> through him did give to him this perfect soundness before you all.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And in the faith of his name, this man, whom you have seen and known, hath his name strengthened. And the faith which is by him hath given this perfect soundness in the sight of you all.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And, by faith in his name, his name has made this [man] strong whom ye behold and know; and the faith which is by him has given him this complete soundness in the presence of you all.
Context
After establishing the identity of Jesus and the fact of His resurrection, Peter brings the argument back to the specific miracle they witnessed. This verse explicitly links the healing to the power of Jesus' name through faith. It directly answers the crowd's initial wonder, explaining the mechanism of the miracle and solidifying Jesus as the true source, thereby reinforcing His divine authority before calling for a response.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 17:19
Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast it out?
- Mark 16:17
And these signs shall accompany them that believe: in my name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues;
- Acts 3:8
And leaping up, he stood, and began to walk; and he entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
- Acts 14:9
The same heard Paul speaking: who, fastening his eyes upon him, and seeing that he had faith to be made whole,
- Matthew 9:22
But Jesus turning and seeing her said, Daughter, be of good cheer; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.
- Acts 4:7
And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, By what power, or in what name, have ye done this?
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