Acts 3:2
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;
Original Language Analysis
καί
And
G2532
καί
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐκ
from
G1537
ἐκ
from
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
5 of 31
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
κοιλίας
womb
G2836
κοιλίας
womb
Strong's:
G2836
Word #:
6 of 31
a cavity, i.e., (especially) the abdomen; by implication, the matrix; figuratively, the heart
μητρὸς
mother's
G3384
μητρὸς
mother's
Strong's:
G3384
Word #:
7 of 31
a "mother" (literally or figuratively, immediate or remote)
αὐτοῦ
G846
αὐτοῦ
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
8 of 31
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὑπάρχων
lame
G5225
ὑπάρχων
lame
Strong's:
G5225
Word #:
9 of 31
to begin under (quietly), i.e., come into existence (be present or at hand); expletively, to exist (as copula or subordinate to an adjective, particip
ἐβαστάζετο
was carried
G941
ἐβαστάζετο
was carried
Strong's:
G941
Word #:
10 of 31
to lift, literally or figuratively (endure, declare, sustain, receive, etc.)
ὃν
whom
G3739
ὃν
whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
11 of 31
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἐτίθουν
they laid
G5087
ἐτίθουν
they laid
Strong's:
G5087
Word #:
12 of 31
to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different from g2476, which pr
καθ'
G2596
καθ'
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
13 of 31
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
ἡμέραν
daily
G2250
ἡμέραν
daily
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
14 of 31
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
πρὸς
at
G4314
πρὸς
at
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
15 of 31
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
τὸ
which
G3588
τὸ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θύραν
the gate
G2374
θύραν
the gate
Strong's:
G2374
Word #:
17 of 31
a portal or entrance (the opening or the closure, literally or figuratively)
τὸ
which
G3588
τὸ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἱερόν·
of the temple
G2411
ἱερόν·
of the temple
Strong's:
G2411
Word #:
19 of 31
a sacred place, i.e., the entire precincts (whereas g3485 denotes the central sanctuary itself) of the temple (at jerusalem or elsewhere)
τὸ
which
G3588
τὸ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λεγομένην
is called
G3004
λεγομένην
is called
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
21 of 31
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Ὡραίαν
Beautiful
G5611
Ὡραίαν
Beautiful
Strong's:
G5611
Word #:
22 of 31
belonging to the right hour or season (timely), i.e., (by implication) flourishing (beauteous (figuratively))
τὸ
which
G3588
τὸ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
23 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐλεημοσύνην
alms
G1654
ἐλεημοσύνην
alms
Strong's:
G1654
Word #:
25 of 31
compassionateness, i.e., (as exercised towards the poor) beneficence, or (concretely) a benefaction
παρὰ
of
G3844
παρὰ
of
Strong's:
G3844
Word #:
26 of 31
properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj
τὸ
which
G3588
τὸ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
27 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
εἰσπορευομένων
them that entered
G1531
εἰσπορευομένων
them that entered
Strong's:
G1531
Word #:
28 of 31
to enter (literally or figuratively)
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
29 of 31
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
Cross References
Acts 14:8And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:John 9:8The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged?Luke 16:20And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,Acts 10:31And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.Luke 18:35And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:
Historical Context
The Beautiful Gate (possibly the Nicanor Gate) was on the temple's east side, a high-traffic location for almsgiving. This man was a known fixture, making his healing publicly verifiable.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this man's lifelong condition illustrate humanity's spiritual helplessness?
- What does his positioning at the temple teach about seeking in the wrong places?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The lame man 'from his mother's womb' emphasizes the miracle's magnitude - this wasn't recent injury but lifelong disability. Being 'laid daily' at the gate called Beautiful shows his begging was systematic and well-known. The contrast between his helplessness and coming transformation illustrates spiritual regeneration.