A man placed at the gate of the temple called Beautiful

“And a man who had been unable to walk from birth was being carried, whom they used to set down every day at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, in order for him to beg for charitable gifts from those entering the temple grounds.” (1) There are three possibilities as to which gate the “Beautiful Gate” refers to: (a) The gate entering the temple area from outside the city (near today’s Golden Gate). (b) The gate leading from the Court of the Gentiles to the Court of the Women (this most likely is the Beautiful Gate). (c) The gate leading from the Court of the Women to the Court of Israel (Nicanor’s Gate, although some also refer to gate (b) as Nicanor’s Gate). (2) At this gate, a man who had been disabled from birth (around 40 years old) was brought. “From birth” emphasizes the magnitude of the healing to come. The area in front of the gate called Beautiful Gate was a prime location for begging. (3) Everyone in Jerusalem knew the face of this man. The contrast between the magnificent gate and the disabled man highlighted the powerlessness of institutional religion. (4) In Judaism, “giving alms” is considered a commendable act of virtue. (a) “Alms” is referred to as “Tzedakah,” which means “justice” or “righteousness.” (b) In Jewish society, becoming a beggar is a last resort when no other means of livelihood is available. This was the only way he could earn a living (he had been living by begging for 40 years).

A man begging for alms

“When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple grounds, he began asking to receive a charitable gift.” He did not know who he was asking for alms, nor did he know what kind of alms they would give. “But Peter, along with John, looked at him intently and said, ‘Look at us!’ And he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.” (1) Peter began to engage personally with the man. (a) The man was not just a beggar, but he was an object of God’s love. (b) “Look at us” was not just a phrase to draw attention to themselves, but it was to focus his attention on what they were about to say. (2) The man looked intently at them, likely expecting to receive a substantial amount of money for following their command. (3) However, Peter and John did not intend to give him money. If that were the case, they would have called upon the congregation to sell their belongings and give to the man. Instead, they demonstrated strong faith, aiming to manifest the power of the Messiah through it. Let us also see everyone we meet as an object of God’ love. By doing so, we will be given the opportunities for evangelism.