Note 2 at Ac 3:4: There is a similar instance where Paul healed a lame man, and in that situation there is also a special mention of Paul steadfastly beholding the man (Ac 14:8-10). It would appear there was a special significance to these penetrating stares.

In the instance of Paul healing the lame man, Ac 14:9 shows that through Paul "stedfastly beholding" the man, he perceived that the man had faith to be healed. Peter was probably doing the same thing here. It is certain that this man did have faith, as can be seen by Peter's own explanation in Ac 3:16.