Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn 1606 – 1669

Peter and John at the Temple Gate

pen drawing (22 × 17 cm) — 1629 Albertina, Vienna

Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn biography

This work is linked to Acts 3:6

At the Beautiful Gate of the temple in Jerusalem a crippled man asks Peter and John for alms. Peter replies that he has no gold or silver. He then commands the man: "Rise up and walk". The man, who was born lame, immediately rises and follows the apostles into the temple, dancing and jumping.

Thirty years on, Rembrandt made an etching depicting this episode.

Historians have not succeeded in identifying the Beautiful Gate; the Acts are the only source for that name.

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