Because God had a sovereign purpose in reserving that healing for Peter and John.
Les Feldick teaches that Jesus deliberately left the lame man unhealed, knowing that the time would come when Peter and John would heal him, which would precipitate a whole new group of events in the book of Acts. This is consistent with God's sovereign timing, similar to the delay in the raising of Lazarus.
Acts 3:2 — Introduces the lame man laid daily at the temple gate, setting up the question of why Jesus never healed him.
The Bible records that a man who was lame from his mother's womb was carried daily and laid at the gate of the temple called Beautiful to beg (Acts 3:2). At the ninth hour of prayer, as Peter and John were going into the temple, the lame man asked them for alms (Acts 3:3). Peter said, "Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk" (Acts 3:6). Immediately, the man's feet and ankle bones received strength, and he leaped, stood, and walked, entering the temple with them, leaping and praising God (Acts 3:7-8). The people recognized him as the one who sat begging at the Beautiful gate, and they were filled with wonder and amazement (Acts 3:10). The Bible does not record that Jesus ever healed this man during His earthly ministry.
Les Feldick explains that Jesus deliberately passed by this lame man time and time again during His earthly ministry, even though the man had been lame from birth and was about forty years old (Acts 4:22). Les emphasizes that this was not an oversight, but a sovereign act of God. Jesus knew that the proper time for healing would be when Peter and John would go to the temple, and the healing would launch a new series of events culminating in Peter's sermon to Israel in Acts 3. Les draws a parallel to the account of Lazarus, where Jesus delayed His coming so that Lazarus would die and then be raised to life, demonstrating God's purposeful timing. He also notes that at this point in Acts, the Jewish believers were still operating under the Old Testament program, not yet fully understanding the Gospel of Grace, and thus their actions, including this healing, were part of God's ongoing dealing with the nation of Israel.
Les Feldick teaches that the healing of the lame man was not just a random miracle, but a purposeful act of God to precipitate 'another whole group of events.' This healing drew a crowd and provided an opportunity for Peter to preach to the people in Solomon's porch, calling Israel to repentance. This event was part of God's ongoing program with the nation of Israel, who had crucified their Messiah but were being given another chance through the ministry of the apostles.
In another teaching, Les Feldick references the account of Lazarus (John 11) to illustrate the same principle. When Jesus heard that Lazarus was sick, He deliberately delayed going to him, so that Lazarus would die and then be raised from the dead, showing His power over death. Similarly, Jesus left the lame man unhealed so that the healing by Peter and John would have a greater impact and occur at God's appointed time. This shows that God's timing is always perfect and purposeful.
Les Feldick notes that Peter and John were still going to the temple at the hour of prayer, which indicates they were still under the law and the Old Testament covenant economy. They had not yet comprehended that the Gospel of Grace would go to the Gentiles. Their actions, including the healing of the lame man, were part of God's ongoing dealing with the nation of Israel, and the healing was a sign to Israel, not to the church.
Extension of Old Testament Program
Les shows that the events in Acts 3 are an extension of God's program with Israel, not yet the Gospel of Grace, which provides context for why this miracle happens here.
Sovereign Purpose in Healing
Les explains that Jesus walked by this lame man many times but never healed him because God had a sovereign plan for a later time when Peter and John would pass by and initiate a new series of events.
What Peter Really Preached in Acts 3 — Israel's Call to Repent
Again, we're going to get right back into the book, Acts chapter 3, because these moments fly so fast. And here we have Peter and John healing the lame man as they go up to the temple to pray. And they raised him by the power of the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, in verse 6. And immediately, verse 8, he leaps, stands, walks, entered with them into the temple, leaping and praising God.
The Lame Man's Age
Les points out that the man was 40 years old, emphasizing that he had been lame for a long time, which highlights the deliberate nature of Jesus' decision not to heal him earlier.
Miracle and Amazement
Les notes the people's amazement at the healing, even though they should have recognized the apostles' power as coming from the same source as Jesus' miracles – indicating the sign's significance to Israel.
The 8 Signs in John's Gospel — What They Mean for Israel
Why, it was just miraculously transported from wherever they were until they were at the shore, and we know that there was no reason to fear. Well, both of these miracles now are right in the middle of the eight, and they're both indicating that He was the powerful Creator, God, over everything.
Still Under the Law
Les points out that Peter and John's going to the temple for prayer shows they were still under the law, which sets the stage for their continuity with Israel's program.
Acts 4 Explained: No Other Name — Only Jesus Saves
But God uses those kind of people, and until we recognize that that's what we are, He can't use us. So they're ignorant, unlearned, uneducated, and they marveled, and they took knowledge of them. What did they have going for them? Hey, they'd been with Jesus. That three years was better than 15 years in a seminary.
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;
Introduces the lame man and his daily placement at the temple gate, which is the focal point of the question.
Acts 3:6: Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
Peter and John heal the man, demonstrating the power of Jesus' name, which fulfills God's timing for this miracle.
Acts 4:22: For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.
Reveals the man's age, showing how long he had been lame, which underscores the deliberate delay in his healing.
No, according to Les Feldick, Jesus deliberately passed by this man without healing him, even though He must have walked by him repeatedly. Les teaches that this was purposeful, as God had reserved this healing for Peter and John to initiate a new series of events in Acts.
Both illustrate God's sovereign timing. Just as Jesus delayed going to Lazarus so that he would die and then be raised, Jesus delayed healing the lame man so that the healing would happen at the appropriate time through Peter and John, fulfilling God's greater purpose.
Watch the Teaching: Why Peter Didn't Preach the Gospel in Acts 3