You’ve never heard it called ‘HEROD’S PORCH,’ but certainly that must have been the inferred imagery when Herod the Great named it, ‘Solomon’s Porch,’ (porticumSalomonis, in the Latin of Herod’s Roman friends).
Now while Kefa and Yochanan were being held by him, all the people ran together to them at the Portico which is called Ulam Sh’lomo, and the people were utterly astonished.
Gevurot 3:11 Orthodox Jewish Bible – Peter & John, with a healed beggar clinging to them, enter the temple’s Portico of Solomon.
A growing gathering of worshipers
We recognize signs of the Holy Spirit burning in the witness of a NEW growing gathering who are part of God’s plan of worship for the JEWS.
Luke, so far, has numbered followers of the Apostles growing from:
at least seventy-two (72) disciples of Jesus among the multitudes
thousands [4000 & 5000 & many more] who witnessed Jesus’ miracles
multitudes [10,000’s] who entered Jerusalem greeting their Messiah Jesus with palms,
many who remained faithful even after Christ’s crucifixion in Jerusalem just two months ago
Saul of Tarsus (who may possibly have been present along with so many important Jewish officials) later writes to the Church at Corinth: [1 Corinthians 15:6]
After that He appeared to more than five hundred [500] brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep..
No doubt MANY of these faithful have come here to Jerusalem for the festival of Pentecost and they gather to hear Peter preach at the Temple and to hear more witness by the Apostles of their risen Lord Jesus Christ.
Herod’s Week-long Festival in Jerusalem
one-hundred twenty (120) who received the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost
(Just one problem though — THIS is HEROD’S TEMPLE(and not the house of the LORD built by Solomon)
Herod’s Rebuilt Temple
The Jews loved to recall the greatness of David and Solomon. Several successors to Herod the Great knew the drawing power of Herod’s great building projects, infrastructure successes under the political power of Rome. Political and religious leaders conspired with each other and Rome for their own piece of power in first century Jerusalem.
A Herod attempted to murder a baby Jesus & a Herod had Him crucified.
Peter and John certainly knew some of the dangers at the hands of religious and political leaders lurking about near this place where Peter would preach.
As you may recall, it has only been about two months since young John and a terrified Peter had witnessed the frenzied trials and crucifixion of the Lord Jesus here, as well as a manipulated mania of the multitudes incited by the politically powerful.
Renovation began ~20/19 BC. In 9 BC. the temple was dedicated. But even at the time of the Lord Jesus the renovation was not completely finished.
Source: (includes several drawings & detailed descriptions)
The Magnificence of Herod’s Temple
Source New Testament History Special Study 1 - Temple of Herod.pdf NOT secure
This building project begun by Herod the Great renovated the second temple of Zerubbabel, but it differed so greatly from it and the first Temple of Solomon that the Jews referred to it as Herod’s temple.
The Temple itself had the same dimensions as Solomon’s, but it stood 60 cubits high – about 90 feet [9-12 stories].
Each of four square public courtyards were about 233 feet square – about like 70 yards of a football field with 10 yards added on each sideline, room for very large crowds
Behind the 60 cubit towering Temple the long Western Wall of the Temple Mount was 1590 feet long (the length of about 4.5 football fields) – source
The Royal Porch [Solomon’s Portico] overhung the southern wall
It had a central open area (nave) of about 41 feet
and two side aisles 30 feet from the center
the center aisle was 100 feet long
the whole structure was supported by 162 Greek Corinthian style columns
9 And all the people saw him walking and shouting, “Baruch Hashem!”
10 And they recognized him, that he was the one sitting at the Sha’ar Hatiferet (Beautiful Gate) of the Beis Hamikdash begging for tzedakah; and they were mishpoyel (standing in awe) and amazement at what had happened to him.
Gevurot 3:9-10 Orthodox Jewish Bible
While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s.
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?
You may have had a beggar at your door recently. My new neighbor asked me if he should expect any ‘trick or treaters’ invading our neighborhood. Probably not, I responded. We generally have sweets here for ourselves that I could give away to a beggar, I assured. But he thought it might be best to go out and buy some treats just in case.
My neighbor then left to buy some sweets so as to not disappoint some little child at his door expecting a blessing.
Continuing in Jerusalem from where we last left Peter:
You may ask what my neighbor buying a treat to bless some little beggar at his door has to do with Peter and the Apostles as they enter into the gates and public courtyards of the Temple in Jerusalem.
I can think of more than one parallel to our 21st century walk as disciples of Jesus Christ.
So as we resume our journey with Simon Peter in Acts of the Apostles, don’t miss the Apostles’ hearts of graciousness accompanying the powerful signs of the Holy Spirit continuing to attract crowds to yet another sermon by Peter.
Luke’s account begins with a brief look back at his first account, the Gospel.
To these [the Apostles] He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days.. – Acts 1:3a
[The risen Christ Jesus had assured them] “..but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth.” – Acts 1:8
The Apostle Simon Peter has already preached to the crowds:
Peter stood up among the brothers and sisters (a group of about 120 people was there together) [in an upper room in Jerusalem]. – Acts 1:15b
And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. – Acts 2:2
.. they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with different [languages], as the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak out.. [Those in the crowds of Jerusalem were amazed and asked each other] And how is it that we each hear them in our own [dialectin] which we were born? – Acts 2:4,7,8 excerpt
But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, [preaching in the power of the Holy Spirit from Old Testament scripture]:
And it shall be in the last days,’ God says, ‘That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind;
Acts 2:14a, 17a – Simon Peter preaching to the crowds of Pentecost in Jerusalem from the prophet Joel
[Simon tells the crowds: ] ..he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that He was neither abandoned to Hades, nor did His flesh suffer decay. It is this Jesus whom God raised up, a fact to which we are all witnesses. – Acts 2:32
.. the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father, He has poured out this which you both see and hear.
Into this context and setting in first century Jerusalem we continue with Simon Peter and the Eleven as they obediently have remained in Jerusalem and the church continues to grow.
Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.
44 And all the believers were together
and had all things in common;
45 and they would sell their property and possessions
and share them with all, to the extent that anyone had need.
46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple,
and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and
having favor with all the people.
HERE ARE SINNERS REPENTANT, BLESSING EACH OTHER AND OTHERS — DAILY — IN WORSHIP AND COMMUNITY.
THIS is the WITNESS OF THE CHURCH to ALL who encounter them, THAT, an evidence and sign in itself.
And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.
The Day of Pentecost is past and three thousand souls have been worshiping day by day with the Apostles.
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
What will be the next ACT of the Apostles Peter and John?
Christian Witness with an Everyday Beggar
Imagine it — this is no child at your door, a costumed beggar charming you out of some candy.
NO, these desperate men of no means were as familiar at the entrances and exits of the public places as defeated men by the highway having no place to go with temporary signs – beggars asking alms of ANY who might help the invisible poor.
Yet Luke reveals that this beggar must had friends. They carried him to the place of worship daily. Or perhaps these men were part of his family who relied on his help by generated mercy of others.
The crowds who passed him by knew who he was; NOT a child, but a man handicapped from birth. No fault of his, but what could they do?
And mostly, their alms on occasion made them feel a little better about their own charity to him.
Note: Peter and John do not simply give the man something (or look away from him and move on, but the Apostles engage this beggar in conversation of lasting consequence.
Peter and John had witnessed the power of Jesus’ compassion
The one who listens to you listens to Me, and the one who rejects you rejects Me; but the one who rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me.”
Now the seventy-two returned with joy, saying,
“Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name!”
Turning to the disciples, He said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see the things you see..
Eternal Life
25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
26 He said unto him, What is written in the law?
Jesus engages the man in conversation, meaningful conversation which the Lord illustrates with the now familiar to us parable of the Good Samaritan. (Remember, Judeans did not particularly like the Jews from Samaria and those from other distant states or regions.)
“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of robbers..
But a Samaritan on his journey came up to him, and when he saw the man, he had compassion.”
Gospel of Luke 10:30b,33 CSB + Jesus addressing the question: ‘Who is my neighbor?’
This man who was robbed on his journey to Jericho was no beggar. But Jesus points out that he certainly needs help.
Jesus asks, ‘Which of the the three helped the man;’ that is, ‘who was his neighbor’?
The Apostles knew both the parable and the accompanying miracles. Seventy-two disciples of Jesus had just worked many miracles when the lawyer had asked what to do to inherit eternal life.
Returning now to Peter and John headed to the temple for worship:
Peter’s ACT of compassion
Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked for alms.
Do you suppose the two-way conversation between the eyes of the lame beggar and Peter continues in intense anticipation here?
You are the beggar at the door and the man says ‘I have no money.’
Peter is a neighbor who has gone out of his way to give a sweet blessing to this poor man…
So many do little or just pass by.. YOU lay there HELPLESS still.. you, a poor lame beggar.
Yet Peter and John continue with their own intense and compassionate stares…
They ACT personally, as if the two are alone in their transaction..
Then the man who has NOT passed by you, helpless at the gate of the place of worship continues:
In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, walk!”
The command of Peter: Acts 3:6b
Peter had witnessed Jesus Christ the Nazarene make a man walk!
And Simon Peter had touched and seen the Lord’s hands and feet which had been nailed to a Cross!
Peter and John had a commission from Christ to build His church once receiving the Holy Spirit.
Yet another sign of the Holy Spirit
With John at his side, as they had both been observers of Jesus healing a man like this lowered by friends into a room full of Jews listening to Jesus preach, Peter now reaches down to the man near the crowds before him:
And grasping him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened.
Act of Peter reaching down to a man lame from birth + Acts 3:7
Now it happened that while the crowd was pressing around Him and listening to the word of God, He was standing by the lake of Gennesaret; and He saw two boats lying at the edge of the lake; but the fishermen had gotten out of them and were washing their nets. And He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s…
But when Simon Peter saw this, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying,
“Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” ..
And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not fear; from now on you will be catching people.”
When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him.
This had been three years ago. Since then, Peter and John have seen MANY more miraculous things — unexplainable signs from God — ACTS of Jesus’ power and authority over men and creation.
While He was in one of the cities, behold, there was a man covered with leprosy; and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” And He reached out with His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” And immediately the leprosy left him.
One day He was teaching, and there were some Pharisees and teachers of the Law sitting there who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea, and from Jerusalem; and the power of the Lord was present for Him to perform healing. And some men were carrying a man on a stretcher who was paralyzed; and they were trying to bring him in and to set him down in front of Him. But when they did not find any way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down through the tiles with his stretcher, into the middle of the crowd, in front of Jesus.
Simon Peter and John had witnessed the power of God through Jesus many times.
A Beggar Worshiping with the Apostles
And leaping up, he stood and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.
And all the people saw him walking and praising God; and they recognized him as being the very one who used to sit at the Beautiful Gate of the temple to beg for charitable gifts, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
The very sight of this crippled man everyone knew LEAPING UP must have taken away the breath of those who witnessed this great sign!
REMEMBER the lame man lowered by his friends into a crowded room so that Jesus could heal him?
What was it the Lord had said?
And seeing their faith, He said,
“Friend, your sins are forgiven you.” .. “I say to you, get up, and pick up your stretcher, and go home.”
Gospel of Luke 5:20, 24b NASB + Jesus commanding a Lame man to walk
Peter and John saw a beggar’s faith
And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering.
Acts of the Apostles 3:11 Authorized Version
Friend, your sins are forgiven you, or at least they could be — IF only you would come to the Lord Jesus Christ.
For by our admitted failings, like Peter, we are all sinful men and sinful women.
In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, walk!”
The command of Peter: Acts 3:6b
Won’t you walk on in witness in the name of Jesus Christ beside John and Simon Peter and the Apostles? For they were, after all, just sinners like you and like me.
ALL are beggars before the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will greet us at the gate.
NEXT: Simon Peter walks to Solomon's Portico to preach to the crowds
It was part of Moses’ warning, wasn’t it? The LORD will bless you,BUT IF YOUR HEART TURNS AWAY, woe to your children cursed for your disobedience.
What’s wrong with this picture?
No, I’m not asking what’s wrong with this picture of Joshua and the men of Israel about to cross the Jordan to conquer the promised land. (Yes, they had already been disobedient to the LORD.)
I ask you what is wrong with the picture of the LORD having to remind the Hebrews about their disobedience. In fact, it is a foreshadowing of further breaking of many covenants which eventually will lead to the fall of Israel, Judah and Temple worship.
Pictures of a future curse
So when you first look at the picture of two models of worship side by side in Jerusalem ask yourself, ‘What’s wrong with this picture?’
In fact, buildings of these two religions cannot stand side by side. They oppose each other.
Worshiping the place of worship is forgetting the LORD God you claim.
You say you believe the word of the LORD to Moses, so what happened?
What made the hearts of your fathers turn away?
And why have you not gone back to the beginning of Scripture to remember that, ‘These are the words that Moses spoke to all Israel across the Jordan in the wilderness..’, my fellow child of God?
Have you forgotten their curses? Do you doubt the covenants of your fathers with the LORD, which turn upon you if you heart turns away?
“For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me.
The Good News of John 5:46 – Words of the Messiah Jesus
Scriptures
Deuteronomy 30
Thus says the LORD: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD. –
