Acts 3:12
New International Version
When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?

New Living Translation
Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd. “People of Israel,” he said, “what is so surprising about this? And why stare at us as though we had made this man walk by our own power or godliness?

English Standard Version
And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?

Berean Standard Bible
And when Peter saw this, he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why are you surprised by this? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?

Berean Literal Bible
But having seen it, Peter answered to the people: "Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this? Or why do you look intently on us as if by our own power or godliness we have made him to walk?

King James Bible
And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?

New King James Version
So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: “Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?

New American Standard Bible
But when Peter saw this, he replied to the people, “Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this, or why are you staring at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made him walk?

NASB 1995
But when Peter saw this, he replied to the people, “Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this, or why do you gaze at us, as if by our own power or piety we had made him walk?

NASB 1977
But when Peter saw this, he replied to the people, “Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this, or why do you gaze at us, as if by our own power or piety we had made him walk?

Legacy Standard Bible
But when Peter saw this, he replied to the people, “Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this, or why do you gaze at us, as if by our own power or piety we had made him walk?

Amplified Bible
And Peter, seeing this, said to the people, “You men of Israel, why are you amazed at this? Why are you staring at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?

Christian Standard Bible
When Peter saw this, he addressed the people: “Fellow Israelites, why are you amazed at this? Why do you stare at us, as though we had made him walk by our own power or godliness?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When Peter saw this, he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this? Or why do you stare at us, as though we had made him walk by our own power or godliness?

American Standard Version
And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this man? or why fasten ye your eyes on us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made him to walk?

Contemporary English Version
Peter saw that a crowd had gathered, and he said: Friends, why are you surprised at what has happened? Why are you staring at us? Do you think we have some power of our own? Do you think we were able to make this man walk because we are so religious?

English Revised Version
And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this man? or why fasten ye your eyes on us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made him to walk?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When Peter saw this, he said to the people, "Men of Israel, why are you amazed about this man? Why are you staring at us as though we have made him walk by our own power or godly life?

Good News Translation
When Peter saw the people, he said to them, "Fellow Israelites, why are you surprised at this, and why do you stare at us? Do you think that it was by means of our own power or godliness that we made this man walk?

International Standard Version
When Peter saw this, he told the people: "Fellow Israelis, why are you wondering about this, and why are you staring at us as if by our own power or godliness we made him walk?

Majority Standard Bible
And when Peter saw this, he addressed the people: ?Men of Israel, why are you surprised by this? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?

NET Bible
When Peter saw this, he declared to the people, "Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this? Why do you stare at us as if we had made this man walk by our own power or piety?

New Heart English Bible
When Peter saw it, he responded to the people, "You men of Israel, why are you amazed at this? Why do you fasten your eyes on us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made him walk?

Webster's Bible Translation
And when Peter saw it, he answered to the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?

Weymouth New Testament
Peter, seeing this, spoke to the people. "Israelites," he said, "why do you wonder at this man? Or why gaze at us, as though by any power or piety of our own we had enabled him to walk?

World English Bible
When Peter saw it, he responded to the people, “You men of Israel, why do you marvel at this man? Why do you fasten your eyes on us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made him walk?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Peter having seen, answered to the people, “Men, Israelites! Why do you wonder at this? Or why do you look on us so earnestly, as if by our own power or piety we have made him to walk?

Berean Literal Bible
But having seen it, Peter answered to the people: "Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this? Or why do you look intently on us as if by our own power or godliness we have made him to walk?

Young's Literal Translation
and Peter having seen, answered unto the people, 'Men, Israelites! why wonder ye at this? or on us why look ye so earnestly, as if by our own power or piety we have made him to walk?

Smith's Literal Translation
And Peter, having seen, answered to the people, men, Israelites, why wonder ye at this? or why look ye intently at us, as by our own power or devotion having made him to walk?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But Peter seeing, made answer to the people: Ye men of Israel, why wonder you at this? or why look you upon us, as if by our strength or power we had made this man to walk?

Catholic Public Domain Version
But Peter, seeing this, responded to the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this? Or why do you stare at us, as if it were by our own strength or power that we caused this man to walk?

New American Bible
When Peter saw this, he addressed the people, “You Israelites, why are you amazed at this, and why do you look so intently at us as if we had made him walk by our own power or piety?

New Revised Standard Version
When Peter saw it, he addressed the people, “You Israelites, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when Simon Peter saw it, he said to them, Men of Israel, why are you wondering at this man or why are you looking at us as though by our own power or authority we had made this man to walk?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And when Shimeon saw it, he answered and said to them, “Men, children of Israel: why do you wonder at this, or why do you gaze as if it was by our own power or by our authority that we have done this, that this man would walk?
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
But when Peter saw it, he answered the people:Men of Israel, why are you astonished at this? or, why do you look so earnestly on us, as if by our own power or godliness we had caused this man to walk?

Godbey New Testament
And Peter seeing them, responded to the people; Israelitish men, why are you astonished at this, or why do you look upon us as having by our own power or holiness, made this man to walk about?

Haweis New Testament
Then Peter observing it, addressed himself to the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why gaze ye upon us, as if by our own power or piety we had enabled this man to walk?

Mace New Testament
which Peter observing, thus addressed them, ye men of Israel, why are ye so surprized at this event? or why do you look so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or piety, we had caus'd this man to walk?

Weymouth New Testament
Peter, seeing this, spoke to the people. "Israelites," he said, "why do you wonder at this man? Or why gaze at us, as though by any power or piety of our own we had enabled him to walk?

Worrell New Testament
And Peter, seeing it, spake to the people, "Men of Israel, why do ye wonder at this? Or why look ye so intently on us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made him to walk

Worsley New Testament
And Peter seeing this said to the people, Men of Israel, why marvel ye at this, or why look ye so earnestly on us, as if by our own power or piety we had made this man able to walk?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Peter Speaks in Solomon's Colonnade
11While the man clung to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and ran to them in the walkway called Solomon’s Colonnade. 12And when Peter saw this, he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why are you surprised by this? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus. You handed Him over and rejected Him before Pilate, even though he had decided to release Him.…

Cross References
Acts 2:22
Men of Israel, listen to this message: Jesus of Nazareth was a man certified by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs, which God did among you through Him, as you yourselves know.

Acts 4:10
then let this be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.

Acts 14:15
“Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them.

John 14:10
Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? The words I say to you, I do not speak on My own. Instead, it is the Father dwelling in Me, performing His works.

John 5:19
So Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing by Himself, unless He sees the Father doing it. For whatever the Father does, the Son also does.

Matthew 10:20
For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

1 Corinthians 15:10
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not in vain. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.

2 Corinthians 3:5
Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim that anything comes from us, but our competence comes from God.

Philippians 2:13
For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.

Isaiah 42:8
I am the LORD; that is My name! I will not yield My glory to another or My praise to idols.

Isaiah 48:11
For My own sake, My very own sake, I will act; for how can I let Myself be defamed? I will not yield My glory to another.

Jeremiah 9:23-24
This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches. / But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises loving devotion, justice and righteousness on the earth—for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.

Psalm 115:1
Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Your name be the glory, because of Your loving devotion, because of Your faithfulness.

Psalm 118:23
This is from the LORD, and it is marvelous in our eyes.

Zechariah 4:6
So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of Hosts.


Treasury of Scripture

And when Peter saw it, he answered to the people, You men of Israel, why marvel you at this? or why look you so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?

Ye men.

Acts 2:22
Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:

Acts 13:26
Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.

Romans 9:4
Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;

or.

Acts 10:25,26
And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him

Acts 14:11-15
And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men…

Genesis 40:8
And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you.

as.

2 Corinthians 3:5
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;

Jump to Previous
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Addressed Amazed Earnestly Eyes Fasten Gaze Godliness Holiness Israel Israelites Marvel Peter Piety Power Responded Stare Surprise Walk Wonder
Acts 3
1. Peter preaching to the people that came to see a lame man restored to his feet,
12. professes the cure to have been wrought by God, and his son Jesus;
13. withal reprehending them for crucifying Jesus;
17. which because they did it through ignorance,
18. 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 through Jesus.














When Peter saw this
Peter, one of the foremost apostles, is quick to recognize the opportunity to address the crowd. The Greek word for "saw" (εἶδεν, eiden) implies not just physical sight but understanding and perception. Peter perceives the spiritual significance of the moment, recognizing it as a divine appointment to witness to the power of Jesus Christ. This reflects the apostolic awareness and readiness to act as vessels of God's work.

he addressed the people
The Greek word for "addressed" (ἀπεκρίνατο, apekrinato) suggests a formal response or declaration. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, takes on the role of a preacher and teacher, ready to explain the miraculous event. This moment is reminiscent of the prophets of old, who spoke boldly to the people of Israel, calling them back to God.

Men of Israel
Peter's address to the "Men of Israel" is significant. It connects the miracle to the heritage and history of the Jewish people. The phrase is a call to attention, reminding the audience of their identity as God's chosen people. It is a reminder of the covenant relationship between God and Israel, and Peter is about to reveal how Jesus is the fulfillment of that covenant.

why are you surprised by this?
The Greek word for "surprised" (θαυμάζετε, thaumazete) conveys a sense of wonder and amazement. Peter challenges the crowd's astonishment, suggesting that they should expect such works from the God of Israel. This rhetorical question is designed to provoke thought and reflection on the nature of God's power and the fulfillment of prophecy through Jesus.

Why do you stare at us
Peter redirects the focus from himself and John to God. The Greek word for "stare" (ἀτενίζετε, atenizete) implies a fixed gaze, often associated with awe or reverence. Peter is quick to clarify that the miracle is not by human means, but by divine intervention. This humility is a hallmark of Christian leadership, always pointing back to God as the source of all power.

as if by our own power or godliness
Peter emphasizes that neither human "power" (δυνάμει, dynamei) nor "godliness" (εὐσεβείᾳ, eusebeia) is responsible for the miracle. The term "power" refers to inherent ability or strength, while "godliness" denotes piety or religious devotion. Peter's statement underscores the Christian doctrine that all miracles are acts of God, not human achievement, and that true godliness is found in submission to God's will.

we had made this man walk
The miracle of making the man walk is a testament to the power of Jesus' name. The phrase "made this man walk" highlights the transformative power of faith in Christ. It is a physical manifestation of spiritual truth: just as the man was physically healed, so too can individuals be spiritually restored through faith in Jesus. This miracle serves as a sign pointing to the greater reality of salvation and the coming of God's kingdom.

(12) Why look ye so earnestly on us?--The verb is the same as that in Acts 3:4. The pronoun stands emphatically at the beginning of the verse--Why is it on us that ye gaze?

As though by our own. . . . holiness. . . .--Better, purity, or devotion. The words refer to what may be called the popular theory of miracles, that if a man were devout, i.e., "a worshipper of God," God would hear him (John 9:31). That theory might be true in itself generally, but the Apostle disclaims it in this special instance. No purity of his own would have availed, but for the Name, i.e., the power, of Jesus of Nazareth.

Verse 12. - At this man for at this, A.V.; fasten ye your eyes for look ye so earnestly, A.V.; godliness for holiness, A.V.; him for this man, A.V. The him at the end of the verse requires that the man should have been previously mentioned. The A.V. felt this, and so, having taken ἐπὶ τούτῳ as at this, they rendered αὐτόν by this man, as if Peter had supplied the want of the verbal mention by pointing to him. Fasten ye your eyes. (For the use of ἀτενίζειν, see note on ver. 4.)

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
[When] Peter
Πέτρος (Petros)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4074: Peter, a Greek name meaning rock. Apparently a primary word; a rock; as a name, Petrus, an apostle.

saw [this],
ἰδὼν (idōn)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3708: Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.

he addressed
ἀπεκρίνατο (apekrinato)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 611: From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak.

the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

people:
λαόν (laon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2992: Apparently a primary word; a people.

“Men
Ἄνδρες (Andres)
Noun - Vocative Masculine Plural
Strong's 435: A male human being; a man, husband. A primary word; a man.

of Israel,
Ἰσραηλῖται (Israēlitai)
Noun - Vocative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2475: An Israelite, one of the chosen people of Israel, a Jew. From Israel; an 'Israelite', i.e. Descendant of Israel.

why
τί (ti)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

are you surprised
θαυμάζετε (thaumazete)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 2296: (a) intrans: I wonder, marvel, (b) trans: I wonder at, admire. From thauma; to wonder; by implication, to admire.

by
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

this?
τούτῳ (toutō)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

Why
τί (ti)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

do you stare
ἀτενίζετε (atenizete)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 816: To direct my gaze, look steadily. From a compound of a and teino; to gaze intently.

at us
ἡμῖν (hēmin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

as if
ὡς (hōs)
Adverb
Strong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.

by [our] own
ἰδίᾳ (idia)
Adjective - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2398: Pertaining to self, i.e. One's own; by implication, private or separate.

power
δυνάμει (dynamei)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1411: From dunamai; force; specially, miraculous power.

or
(ē)
Conjunction
Strong's 2228: Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.

godliness
εὐσεβείᾳ (eusebeia)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2150: Piety (towards God), godliness, devotion, godliness. From eusebes; piety; specially, the gospel scheme.

[we] had made
πεποιηκόσιν (pepoiēkosin)
Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.

[this man]
αὐτόν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

walk?
περιπατεῖν (peripatein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 4043: From peri and pateo; to tread all around, i.e. Walk at large; figuratively, to live, deport oneself, follow.


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NT Apostles: Acts 3:12 When Peter saw it he responded (Acts of the Apostles Ac)
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