Acts 3:1
Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.
Acts 3:1 in other translations
| BSB | One afternoon Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. |
|---|---|
| WEB | Peter and John were going up into the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. |
| ASV | Now Peter and John were going up into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. |
| YLT | And Peter and John were going up at the same time to the temple, at the hour of the prayer, the ninth hour, |
| DARBY | And Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, which is the ninth hour; |
| BBE | Now Peter and John were going up to the Temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer; |
| Webster | Now Peter and John went up together into the temple, at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. |
What does Acts 3:1 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Acts 3:1-11
Ac 3:1-26. Peter Heals a Lame Man at the Temple Gate--Hs Address to the Wondering Multitude.
1-11. Peter and John--already associated by their Master, first with James (Mr 1:29; 5:37; 9:2), then by themselves (Lu 22:8; and see Joh 13:23, 24). Now we find them constantly together, but John (yet young) only as a silent actor. went up--were going up, were on their way.Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Barnes' Notes
Verse 1. Peter and John went up, etc. In Lk 24:53, it is said that the apostles were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. From Acts 2:46, it is clear that all the disciples were accustomed daily to resort to the temple for devotion. Whether they joined in the sacrifices of the temple-service is not said; but the thing is not improbable. This was the place and the manner in which they and their fathers had worshipped. They came slowly to the conclusion that they were to leave the temple; and they would naturally resort there with their countrymen to worship the God of their fathers. In the previous chapter, (Acts 2:43,) we are told in general that many wonders and signs were done by the hands of the apostles. From the many miracles which were performed, Luke selects one, of which he gives a more full account; and especially as it gives him occasion to record another of the addresses of Peter to the Jews. An impostor would have been satisfied with the general statement that many miracles were performed. The sacred writers descend to particulars, and tell us where, and in relation to whom, they were performed. This is a proof that they were honest men, and did not intend to deceive.
Into the temple. Not into the edifice properly called the temple, but into the court of the temple, where prayer was accustomed to be made. Mt 21:12.
At the hour of prayer, etc. The Jewish day was divided into twelve equal parts; of course the ninth hour would be about three o'clock, P.M. This was the hour of evening prayer. Morning prayer was offered at nine o'clock. Comp. Ps 55:17, Dan 6:10.
(c) "the hour of prayer" Ps 55:17, Dan 6:10
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Introduction
Peter and John go to the temple at the hour of prayer, and heal a man who had been lame from his mother's womb, Act 3:1-8. The people are astonished, and the apostles inform them that it was not by their own power they had healed the man, but through the power of Jesus of Nazareth, whom they had crucified, Act 3:9-16. Peter both excuses and reproves them, and exhorts them to repentance, Act 3:17-21. Shows that in Jesus Christ the prophecy of Moses was fulfilled; and that all the prophets testified of Jesus and his salvation, Act 3:22-24; and that, in him, the covenant made with Abraham is fulfilled; and that Christ came to bless them by turning them away from their iniquities, Act 3:25, Act 3:26. Verse 1 Peter and John went up together - The words επι το αυτο, which we translate together, and which are the first words in this chapter in the Greek text, we have already seen, Act 2:47, are added by several MSS. and versions to the last verse of the preceding chapter. But they do not make so good a sense there as they do here; and should be translated, not together, which really makes no sense here, but at that time; intimating that this transaction occurred nearly about the same time that those took place which are mentioned at the close of the former chapter. At the hour of prayer - This, as is immediately added, was the ninth hour, which answers, in a general way, to our three o'clock in the afternoon. The third hour, which was the other grand time of public prayer among the Jews, answered, in a general way, to our nine in the morning. See the note on Act 2:15. It appears that there were three hours of the day destined by the Jews to public prayer; perhaps they are referred to by David, Psa 55:17 : Evening and Morning, and at Noon, will I pray and cry aloud. There are three distinct times marked in the book of the Acts. The Third hour, Act 2:15, answering, as we have already seen, to nearly our nine o'clock in the morning; the Sixth hour, Act 10:9, answering to about twelve with us; and the Ninth hour, mentioned in this verse, and answering to our three in the afternoon. The rabbins believed that Abraham instituted the time of morning prayer; Isaac, that at noon; and Jacob, that of the evening: for which they quote several scriptures, which have little reference to the subject in behalf of which they are produced. Others of the rabbins, particularly Tanchum, made a more natural division. Men should pray, 1. When the sun rises; 2. when the sun has gained the meridian; 3. when the sun has set, or passed just under the horizon. At each of these three times they required men to offer prayer to God; and I should be glad to know that every Christian in the universe observed the same rule: it is the most natural division of the day; and he who conscientiously observes these three stated times of prayer will infallibly grow in grace, and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord.Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Acts 3:1-11
Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain
Acts 3:1 in the original Greek
Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for Acts 3:1
- Psalms 55:17
Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
- Acts 10:3
He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.
- Acts 4:13
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
- Luke 1:10
And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.
- Luke 24:53
And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.
- Acts 5:25
Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.
- Acts 8:14
Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
- Daniel 6:10
Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
- Luke 23:44-46
And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.
- John 20:2-9
Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. …
- Acts 2:46
And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
- John 21:7
Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
12 professes the cure not to have been wrought by his or John's own power or holiness, but by God, and his son Jesus, and through faith in his name;
13 withal reprehending them for crucifying Jesus;
17 which because they did it through ignorance, and that thereby were fulfilled God's determinate counsel, and the Scriptures,
19 he exhorts them by repentance and faith to seek remission of their sins, and salvation in the same Jesus.
Peter.
4:13; 8:14; Mt 17:1; 26:37; Joh 13:23-25; 20:2-9; 21:7,18-22; Ga 2:9
went.
2:46; 5:25; Lu 24:53
the hour.
10:3,30; Ex 29:39; Nu 28:4; 1Ki 18:36; Ps 55:17; Da 6:10; 9:21
Lu 1:10; 23:44-46
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain
Context
- Acts 3:1
Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.
- Acts 3:2
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;
Acts 3:1 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | PEDRO y Juan subían juntos al templo á la hora de oración, la de nona. |
|---|---|
| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Et Pierre et Jean montaient ensemble au temple, à l’heure de la prière, qui est la neuvième, |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Petrus aber und Johannes gingen zusammen hinauf in den Tempel um die Stunde des Gebets, die neunte. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Petrus autem et Joannes ascendebant in templum ad horam orationis nonam. |