And all the people saw him walking and praising God:

ACTS 3:9KJV
Know the Bible

Acts 3:9 (KJV)

What does Acts 3:9 mean?

Acts 3:9 says that everyone present saw the formerly lame man walking around and openly praising God. This verse highlights the public nature of the miracle, making it clear that the healing was witnessed by all the people there.

Peter and John had just healed a man who had been unable to walk since birth, right outside the temple in Jerusalem. Acts 3:9 describes the moment when the crowd saw this man, who they recognized as a beggar, now walking and giving thanks to God. The verse sets up the crowd’s amazement and prepares for Peter’s explanation of what just happened.

The Greek behind Acts 3:9

  • "πᾶς" (pas, "all"): This word means everyone, not just a few. The verse stresses that the entire group present saw the event, underlining the miracle’s public and undeniable nature.
  • "ἐπορεύετο" (eporeueto, "walking"): The Greek word carries the sense of moving about, not just standing or taking a step. The man was actively walking, showing a complete and visible healing.
  • "αἰνῶν" (ainōn, "praising"): This word means giving praise or expressing admiration. The man’s response was not just happiness but a public act of giving credit to God.

Why Acts 3:9 matters

  • Acts 3:9 makes it clear that the miracle was witnessed by everyone, leaving no room for doubt or private interpretation.
  • The verse emphasizes that the healed man responded with open praise to God, showing gratitude and pointing others toward the source of his healing.
  • By describing the crowd’s reaction, Acts 3:9 sets up the next part of the story, where Peter addresses the people and explains the significance of what they have seen.

Where else these words appear

“praising” Greek G134 · used in 9 verses

  • Luke 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
  • Luke 19:37 And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;
  • Acts 3:8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

“walking” Greek G4043 · used in 90 verses

  • Matthew 4:18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
  • John 7:1 After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.
  • Ephesians 4:17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

“people” Greek G2992 · used in 139 verses

  • Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
  • Luke 22:2 And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.
  • Acts 21:28 Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.