Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Acts 3:8

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"And immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked." Perhaps it was by way of trying himself that he put it thus to further proof, whether perchance the thing done might not be to no purpose. His feet were weak; it was not that he had lost them. Some say that he did not even know how to walk. "And entered with them into the temple." Of a truth it was marvellous. The Apostles do not urge him; but of his own accord he follows, by the act of following pointing out his benefactors. …

Homily on Acts 8 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

"Walking and leaping," that is, testing himself and assuring himself as much as possible whether he had truly become well. Since the healing was extraordinary and beyond expectation, it was natural for him to doubt even regarding himself. And others say that he did not even know how to walk, and therefore he moved his legs as if hopping. Look: he does not calm down. This is partly from delight, and partly to shut mouths and prevent anyone from considering this healing a deception. …

Commentary on Acts ↗

Oecumenius

"Walking and leaping." As if he were by now almost entirely unknown, who a little before had been so slow that he needed the help of others to move around.

Commentary on Acts ↗

Western Saints

Bede

And leaping up, he stood and walked. And he entered the temple with them. The order of perfection is clear: first, he who had lain down rises, then he seizes strength, and thus he enters the gate of the kingdom with the apostles.

Commentary on Acts ↗