And he took him - He took hold of his hand. To take hold of the hand in such a ease was an offer of aid, an indication that Peter was sincere, and was an inducement to him to make an effort. This may be employed as a beautiful illustration of the manner of God when he commands people to repent and believe. He does not leave them alone; he extends help, and aids their efforts. If they tremble, and feel that they are weak, and needy, and helpless, his hand is stretched out and his power exerted to impart strength and grace.

His feet and ankle-bones - The fact that strength was immediately imparted; that the feet, long lame, were now made strong, was a full and clear proof of miraculous power.

Immediately his feet and ancle bones received strength - The suddenness of the cure was the proof of the miracle: his walking and leaping were the evidences of it.

And he took him by the right hand,.... In imitation of Christ, whom he had often seen using the same action on such occasions:

and lift him up; believing he was cured, and that it might be manifest. The word him is expressed in the Alexandrian copy, and in some others, and in the Oriental versions, which is a supplement in our translation:

and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength; where, it seems, his lameness lay. The Vulgate Latin renders it, his bases and soles, which may include his legs and thighs, as well as feet; and the Syriac version, "his feet and soles"; and the Arabic version, "his soles, and the muscles adjoining to his heels"; and the Ethiopic version furthest off of all, "he was strengthened in his feet, and in his loins"; his disorder might be of the paralytic kind.

He took (πιάσας)

The verb means originally to press or squeeze; and hence implies taking hold with a firm grasp.

Feet (βάσεις)

A peculiar, technical word, used by Luke only, and described by Galen as the part of the foot lying beneath the leg, upon which the leg directly rests, as distinguished from the ταρσὸς, the flat of the foot between the toes and heel, and πεδίον, the part next the toes.

Ankle-bones (σφυρά)

Only here in New Testament. Also technical. Some of the best texts read σφυδρά, but the meaning is the same.

Received strength (ἐστερεώθησαν)

Used by Luke only. Compare "the churches were established (Acts 16:5), and the kindred noun στερέωμα, steadfastness (Colossians 2:5). In medical language applied to the bones in particular.

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

3:7 He took him by the right hand. To encourage and strengthen his faith. He was bidden to arise and walk in the name of Jesus Christ (Ac 3:6), and thus to show his faith in act. He did, and was healed in doing so.

7. And he took . and lifted him up-precisely what his Lord had done to his own mother-in-law (Mr 1:31).

his feet-"soles."

and ankle bones, &c.-the technical language of a physician (Col 4:14).

3:1-11 The apostles and the first believers attended the temple worship at the hours of prayer. Peter and John seem to have been led by a Divine direction, to work a miracle on a man above forty years old, who had been a cripple from his birth. Peter, in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, bade him rise up and walk. Thus, if we would attempt to good purpose the healing of men's souls, we must go forth in the name and power of Jesus Christ, calling on helpless sinners to arise and walk in the way of holiness, by faith in Him. How sweet the thought to our souls, that in respect to all the crippled faculties of our fallen nature, the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth can make us whole! With what holy joy and rapture shall we tread the holy courts, when God the Spirit causes us to enter therein by his strength!