Acts 3:2

What does Acts 3:2 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 3:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 3:2 means

A man who had been continuously lame since birth was routinely placed at the temple's Beautiful Gate to beg for money from those entering. His lifelong condition made him entirely dependent on the charity of others, his presence a common sight for temple-goers. This detail establishes the man's permanent disability and his public, recognized position, which will make his subsequent healing undeniable and widely witnessed.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And a certain man that was lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the door of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And a certain man that was lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the door of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And a certain man who from birth had had no power in his legs, was taken there every day, and put down at the door of the Temple which is named Beautiful, requesting money from those who went into the Temple;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and a certain man, being lame from the womb of his mother, was being carried, whom they were laying every day at the gate of the temple, called Beautiful, to ask a kindness from those entering into the temple,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And a certain man who was lame from his mother's womb was carried: whom they laid every day at the gate of the temple, which is called Beautiful, that he might ask alms of them that went into the temple.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and a certain man who was lame from his mother's womb was being carried, whom they placed every day at the gate of the temple called Beautiful, to ask alms of those who were going into the temple;

Context

Following the introduction of Peter and John's temple visit, this verse immediately introduces the central figure of the miracle. It details the lame man's long-standing affliction and his daily routine of begging, creating a clear picture of his desperate situation. This context builds anticipation for an encounter that will dramatically alter his life, setting the stage for Peter's powerful intervention.

v.1Now Peter and John were going up into the temple at the hour of prayer, beingthe ninth hour.

v.2This passage

v.3who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked to receive an alms.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 16:20

    and a certain beggar named Lazarus was laid at his gate, full of sores,

  • Acts 14:8

    And at Lystra there sat a certain man, impotent in his feet, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked.

  • John 9:8

    The neighbors therefore, and they that saw him aforetime, that he was a beggar, said, Is not this he that sat and begged?

  • Acts 10:31

    and saith, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.

  • John 1:9

    There was the true light, even the light which lighteth every man, coming into the world.

  • Acts 4:22

    For the man was more than forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was wrought.

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