Acts 4:13

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

Complete Jewish Bible:

When they saw how bold Kefa and Yochanan were, even though they were untrained ‘am-ha’aretz, they were amazed; also they recognized them as having been with Yeshua.

Berean Standard Bible:

When they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they marveled and took note that these men had been with Jesus.

American Standard Version:

Now when they beheld the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Now^{G1161} when they saw^{G2334} the boldness^{G3954} of Peter^{G4074} and^{G2532} John^{G2491}, and^{G2532} perceived^{G2638} that^{G3754} they were^{G1526} unlearned^{G62} and^{G2532} ignorant^{G2399} men^{G444}, they marvelled^{G2296}; and^{G5037} they took knowledge^{G1921} of them^{G846}, that^{G3754} they had been^{G2258} with^{G4862} Jesus^{G2424}.

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Commentary for Acts 4:13

Acts 4:13 is a verse set within the historical context of the early Christian church's growth and the apostles' ministry following the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. This verse occurs shortly after Peter and John heal a man who had been lame from birth, an event that takes place near the Temple in Jerusalem and garners significant attention. The religious authorities, particularly the Sadducees, are disturbed by the apostles' teaching about Jesus' resurrection, which contradicts their own doctrinal beliefs that deny the resurrection of the dead.

In the verse, "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus," several key themes emerge. Firstly, the boldness or courage of Peter and John is highlighted, reflecting their transformation from fearful disciples into confident leaders and preachers after receiving the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The verse contrasts their lack of formal education—"unlearned and ignorant men"—with their newfound wisdom and eloquence, which the authorities find astonishing.

The phrase "they marvelled" suggests a reaction of amazement and perhaps incredulity from the religious leaders, who would have expected such confident preaching and miraculous signs to come from scholarly, trained individuals. Instead, they recognize that the source of Peter and John's authority and power is their association with Jesus. The verse underscores the theme that close fellowship with Jesus imparts qualities that transcend human expectations and formal learning. It also foreshadows the ongoing conflict between the early church and the established religious authorities, a conflict that will play out through the rest of the Acts of the Apostles.

This verse serves as a testament to the empowering presence of Jesus, the transformative impact of the Holy Spirit, and the importance of witness and testimony in the face of opposition. It encapsulates the essence of the apostolic mission to spread the Gospel and the unexpected ways in which God chooses to work through individuals, regardless of their social standing or educational background.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G1161
   There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δέ
   Transliteration: dé
   Pronunciation: deh
   Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
   
2. Strong's Number: G2334
   There are 55 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: θεωρέω
   Transliteration: theōréō
   Pronunciation: theh-o-reh'-o
   Description: from a derivative of θεάομαι (perhaps by addition of ὁράω); to be a spectator of, i.e. discern, (literally, figuratively (experience) or intensively (acknowledge)):--behold, consider, look on, perceive, see. Compare ὀπτάνομαι.
   
3. Strong's Number: G3954
   There are 31 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: παῤῥησία
   Transliteration: parrhēsía
   Pronunciation: par-rhay-see'-ah
   Description: from πᾶς and a derivative of ῥέω; all out-spokenness, i.e. frankness, bluntness, publicity; by implication, assurance:--bold (X -ly, -ness, -ness of speech), confidence, X freely, X openly, X plainly(-ness).
   
4. Strong's Number: G4074
   There are 157 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: Πέτρος
   Transliteration: Pétros
   Pronunciation: pet'-ros
   Description: apparently a primary word; a (piece of) rock (larger than λίθος); as a name, Petrus, an apostle:--Peter, rock. Compare Κηφᾶς.
   
5. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
6. Strong's Number: G2491
   There are 130 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: Ἰωάννης
   Transliteration: Iōánnēs
   Pronunciation: ee-o-an'-nace
   Description: of Hebrew origin (יוֹחָנָן); Joannes (i.e. Jochanan), the name of four Israelites:--John.
   
7. Strong's Number: G2638
   There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καταλαμβάνω
   Transliteration: katalambánō
   Pronunciation: kat-al-am-ban'-o
   Description: from κατά and λαμβάνω; to take eagerly, i.e. seize, possess, etc. (literally or figuratively):--apprehend, attain, come upon, comprehend, find, obtain, perceive, (over-)take.
   
8. Strong's Number: G3754
   There are 1189 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὅτι
   Transliteration: hóti
   Pronunciation: hot'-ee
   Description: neuter of ὅστις as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.
   
9. Strong's Number: G1526
   There are 146 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εἰσί
   Transliteration: eisí
   Pronunciation: i-see'
   Description: 3rd person plural present indicative of εἰμί; they are:--agree, are, be, dure, X is, were.
   
10. Strong's Number: G62
    There are 136 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀγράμματος
    Transliteration: agrámmatos
    Pronunciation: ag-ram-mat-os
    Description: from Α (as negative particle) and γράμμα; unlettered, i.e. illiterate:--unlearned.
    
11. Strong's Number: G2399
    There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἰδιώτης
    Transliteration: idiṓtēs
    Pronunciation: id-ee-o'-tace
    Description: from ἴδιος; a private person, i.e. (by implication) an ignoramus (compare "idiot"):--ignorant, rude, unlearned.
    
12. Strong's Number: G444
    There are 614 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἄνθρωπος
    Transliteration: ánthrōpos
    Pronunciation: anth'-ro-pos
    Description: from ἀνήρ and (the countenance; from ὀπτάνομαι); man-faced, i.e. a human being:--certain, man.
    
13. Strong's Number: G2296
    There are 46 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: θαυμάζω
    Transliteration: thaumázō
    Pronunciation: thou-mad'-zo
    Description: from θαῦμα; to wonder; by implication, to admire:--admire, have in admiration, marvel, wonder.
    
14. Strong's Number: G5037
    There are 192 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: τέ
    Transliteration: té
    Pronunciation: teh
    Description: a primary particle (enclitic) of connection or addition; both or also (properly, as correlation of καί):--also, and, both, even, then, whether. Often used in composition, usually as the latter participle.
    
15. Strong's Number: G1921
    There are 38 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐπιγινώσκω
    Transliteration: epiginṓskō
    Pronunciation: ep-ig-in-oce'-ko
    Description: from ἐπί and γινώσκω; to know upon some mark, i.e. recognize; by implication, to become fully acquainted with, to acknowledge:--(ac-, have, take)know(-ledge, well), perceive.
    
16. Strong's Number: G846
    There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: αὐτός
    Transliteration: autós
    Pronunciation: ow-tos'
    Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
    
17. Strong's Number: G2258
    There are 416 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἦν
    Transliteration: ēn
    Pronunciation: ane
    Description: imperfect of εἰμί; I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were):--+ agree, be, X have (+ charge of), hold, use, was(-t), were.
    
18. Strong's Number: G4862
    There are 121 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: σύν
    Transliteration: sýn
    Pronunciation: soon
    Description: a primary preposition denoting union; with or together (but much closer than μετά or παρά), i.e. by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, addition, etc.:--beside, with. In composition it has similar applications, including completeness.
    
19. Strong's Number: G2424
    There are 935 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: Ἰησοῦς
    Transliteration: Iēsoûs
    Pronunciation: ee-ay-sooce'
    Description: of Hebrew origin (יְהוֹשׁוּעַ); Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites:--Jesus.