Acts 3:10 (KJV)

What does Acts 3:10 mean?

Acts 3:10 describes how the people at the temple recognized the man who had been healed as the same person who used to sit and beg for money at the Beautiful Gate, and they were completely astonished by what had happened to him. The crowd’s reaction was one of amazement and wonder at seeing such a dramatic change in someone they knew.

This verse takes place right after Peter and John, two of Jesus’ followers, healed a man who had been unable to walk since birth. The man had been a familiar sight at the temple entrance, so when he was suddenly seen walking and leaping, everyone who saw him was shocked and filled with awe. The verse highlights the public nature of the miracle and sets the stage for the crowd’s response to Peter’s upcoming explanation.

The Greek behind Acts 3:10

• The word for "alms" (ἐλεημοσύνη, eleēmosynē) refers to charitable gifts given to the poor. This emphasizes that the man was known for his need and dependence on others’ generosity.
• The word for "wonder" (θάμβος, thambos) carries the sense of being struck with astonishment or awe, not just mild surprise. It shows the depth of the crowd’s reaction.
• The word for "amazement" (ἔκστασις, ekstasis) suggests a state of being beside oneself or overwhelmed, often used for a kind of stunned shock. This underlines how extraordinary the event appeared to the witnesses.

Why Acts 3:10 matters

• Acts 3:10 makes clear that the miracle was undeniable because the healed man was well-known to everyone; there could be no doubt about his former condition.
• The verse sets up the crowd’s openness to listen to Peter’s message, as their amazement prepares them to hear an explanation for what they have witnessed.
• By emphasizing both "wonder" and "amazement," the verse shows that the miracle had a powerful impact on the community, drawing attention not just to the healing but to the message that would follow.