The « Beautiful Gate » is mentioned only once in the New Testament, on the occasion of the by Peter and John:
« There was a man lame from birth, who was carried and laid every day at the gate of the Temple called Beautiful, so that he might ask alms of those entering the Temple » (Acts 3.2).
This gate was therefore a much frequented place, ideal for beggars, who could appeal there to the generosity of the pilgrims.
Where was it located?
Unfortunately, Luke gives no details. Since antiquity, several hypotheses have been put forward.
- The Nicanor Gate (the most widespread hypothesis)
Many scholars identify the Beautiful Gate with the Nicanor Gate, which separated the Court of the Women from the Court of Israel. This monumental gate was particularly famous. The Mishnah (Middot 2.3) reports that it was covered with Corinthian bronze of exceptional quality and that it surpassed the other gates overlaid with gold.
The Jewish historian Flavius Josephus also describes the gates of Herod's Temple and mentions one of them as being particularly impressive (Jewish War, V, 5.3).
This hypothesis has several advantages:
- Peter and John were going up to the Temple at (Acts 3.1);
- a great crowd passed through this gate;
- after the healing, the people quickly gathered under Solomon's portico (Acts 3.11), located on the eastern side of the esplanade.
- An outer eastern gate
Other researchers think that it could have been a gate giving direct access to the Temple esplanade. The lame man would thus have been placed right at the entrance in order to meet as many pilgrims as possible.
However, this hypothesis is less supported by the ancient texts.
Why does Luke speak of the « Beautiful Gate »?
It is possible that this name was simply the popular name given to this prestigious entrance. Luke was writing for readers who probably knew this designation.
It is not impossible either that there is a symbolic intention. The contrast is striking between:
- the magnificence of this monumental gate;
- and the misery of this man, infirm from birth (Acts 3.2).
The healing accomplished in the name of Jesus Christ then transforms the one who begged at the entrance of the Temple into a man who now enters the sanctuary « walking, leaping, and praising God » (Acts 3.8).
An important chronological indication
Since Peter and John were going to the Temple « at the ninth hour », that is, around three o'clock (Acts 3.1), the Beautiful Gate must have been on a very busy route at that hour, at the time of the evening sacrifice and of collective prayer (Luke 1.10).
Thus, the did not take place in an isolated spot, but before many witnesses. This explains why the event immediately drew a large crowd and gave Peter the opportunity to deliver his second great public speech (Acts 3.11-26).
From a historical point of view, the identification with the Nicanor Gate remains today the most commonly accepted hypothesis, even though no absolute certainty is possible.