These men were more spiritually sharp than they had ever been in their lives. It has to be that way if God is to use you the way He desires. That leads to the next thing we see about these persons that God employs in the miraculous. Sensitive persons Verse 2 says that they encounter a man at the gate called Beautiful. This was a spectacular entrance into the temple.
Most scholars believe it was the eastern entrance into the actual temple.
It was a popular place for beggars to position themselves. This was the most popular prayer time of the day for the Jews, so there was a good chance they might pick up a few stray coins from the worshippers passing through the gate. Peter and John were among those who filed past. They heard the beggar's request for money, like they no doubt had heard many times before since the guy had been there for years. But Peter saw the man through different eyes this time.