Acts 3:12 - Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

Bible Comments

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.

Acts 3:12

12 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?