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The date of this miracle is not quite certain. It appears to be reported as a specimen of those wonders and signs referred to in Acts 2:43. Note —

I. THAT IT WAS WROUGHT ON A LIVING MAN. In all our Lord's miracles there was an exhibition of benevolence. This was the case here, for the miracle was wrought —

1. On an afflicted man. He had been lame from his birth. Every man is afflicted from his birth with an evil which nothing but the grace of God can remove.

2. On a poor man. How could one so circumstanced find employment? He was then hopelessly poor; but "man's extremity was God's opportunity."

3. On a man dependent on his friends. This followed from-his affliction and poverty. And it seems that those friends could only put him in the way of receiving help from strangers. Thus the necessities of nature led up to the manifestation of God's mercy. To how many has affliction been a means of salvation!

4. On a man known to many from the fact that he had been carried there for years. This enhanced the significance of the miracle and promoted its evidential purpose. In like manner does the conversion of the notoriously sinful bear witness to Christianity.

II. THAT IT WAS AN EXHIBITION OF ACTIVE CHRISTIANITY. It was fitting that being the first, it should have this quality. It shows —

1. A desire to do good on the part of Christian men. If men have no such desires, and yet call themselves Christians, their words and characters do not agree.

2. The effort which arises out of the proper desire to do good. Peter did not "consider the case," "promise to do the best he could for him," he took him by the hand and lifted him up. True Christianity turns desire into deed, and makes a missionary, a preacher, or a generous contributor of the man who desires the conversion of the heathen at home or abroad.

3. The course of the working of the gospel in the individual who receives it.

(1) Special attention was awakened. "Look on us." The man had already looked in an ordinary way. So the hearers of the gospel have to give it more than their usual attention if they would be saved.

(2) Hope was aroused. He "expected to receive something" — what he did not know. So those in whom the gospel is "mixed with faith" when they hear it are made hopeful before they have very distinct views of the joys of personal salvation, and their faith is strengthened until they can apprehend the blessings offered them.

(3) Healing was administered. It came in the name of Jesus Christ, and immediately: so does salvation.

(4) The healed cripple became a witness. The changes in the man's conduct told observers that he had received a great blessing from God, and was constrained to declare it. So Christians are constrained to bear witness by lip and life.

(W. Hudson.)

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

WEB: Peter and John were going up into the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.