The introductory clause as the man held on to Peter and John forms an excellent transition from the preceding paragraph, since it introduces all the principal participants and shows the continuing relation between the lame man, Peter, and John.

Though the Greek text introduces the concept of amazement by an adjective at the end of verse 11, it may be more satisfactory to change the order, as has been done in the Good News Translation, to indicate clearly the temporal sequence and the implied cause and effect.

The phrase ran to them may in some languages be better rendered as “ran to where they were.”

Solomon’s Porch was a type of roofed colonnade or portico. It is usually conjectured that it was the colonnade that ran the length of the east side of the outer court, but identification cannot be made with certainty. It is mentioned again in 5.12 and also in John 10.23.

The expression Solomon’s Porch may require a certain degree of elaboration if it is to be fully comprehended, for example, “a porch which was known as Solomon’s” or “a porch called by the people Solomon’s Porch.”

In some relatively primitive areas there is no construction which immediately parallels this type of colonnade. One can sometimes use a more general term such as “a long shelter” or “a roofed-over shelter.” In many areas such a shelter is constructed for special festivities and therefore the name of this type of even temporary construction can probably be employed as the closest natural equivalent. If the differences are too great then some type of marginal note is necessary.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .