Acts 3:4
What does Acts 3:4 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 3:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 3:4 means
Peter, intently focusing his gaze on the lame man alongside John, commanded the man to look back at them. This directive was not merely to gain attention, but to establish a direct, personal connection, preparing the man for the extraordinary spiritual encounter that was about to transpire. It was a deliberate act to ensure the man's full attention and participation in the moment God was orchestrating.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him, with John, said, Look on us.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him, with John, said, Look on us.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And Peter, looking at him, with John, said, Keep your eyes on us.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Peter, having looked stedfastly toward him with John, said, `Look toward us;'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But Peter with John, fastening his eyes upon him, said: Look upon us.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Peter, looking stedfastly upon him with John, said, Look on us.
Context
Immediately after the lame man's request for alms, this verse pivots the narrative. Peter's command dramatically shifts the focus from a routine begging interaction to a much more significant encounter. It's a critical moment where the apostles take control of the situation, signaling that something far grander than a simple handout is about to occur, moving from human pity to divine intervention.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 11:40
Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou believedst, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
- Acts 3:12
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 14:9
The same heard Paul speaking: who, fastening his eyes upon him, and seeing that he had faith to be made whole,
- John 5:6
When Jesus saw him lying, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wouldest thou be made whole?
- Luke 4:20
And he closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant, and sat down: and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on him.
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