Commentaires bibliques

Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour .

At the hour of prayer — The Jews had their stata precibus tempora, set hours of prayer. See Psalms 55:17 ; Daniel 6:10 ; Acts 10:3 ; Acts 10:30 .

return to '

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;

To ask alms — This ought not to have been suffered, Deuteronomy 15:7-8 There might not be a beggar in Israel. But all was out of order, as it useth to be among a people nigh to destruction.

return to '

Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.

Asked an alms — The Dutch beggars ask not, but look pitifully.

return to '

And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.

Look on us — Together with this word there went forth a power, as Luke 5:17 .

return to '

And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.

Expecting — God was better to him than his expectation. God presseth kindness upon his suitors, and heapeth it upon them, as Naaman upon Gehazi, 2 Kings 5:22-23 .

return to '

Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

Silver and gold have I none — The newelected pope, in his solemn Lateran procession, must take copper out of his chamberlain’s lap, and scatter it among the people, saying, Gold and silver have I none. Whenas Petrarch writeth that when Pope John XXII died, his heirs found in his treasury 250 tons of gold. And when Pope Boniface VIII was taken and plundered by Philip the Fair, king of France, there was more store of treasure carried out of his palace than all the kings of the earth could show again, saith the historian. Every pope hath the sign of the cross on his pantofle shining gloriously with pearls and precious stones, ut plenis faucibus crucem Christi derideat, saith mine author in derision of Christ’s cross. (Heidelfield.)

return to '

And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

His feet and ankle bones — "The Lord raiseth them that are crooked," but (as a further favour, and far better than that former) "he loveth the righteous," Psalms 146:8 , as he did this cripple, whom he healed on the inside also.

return to '

And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

Into the temple — There to hang up his crutches, as it were.

Walking and leaping — Weak Christians are commonly most affectionate, as this cripple when first cured leaped for joy.

return to '