Acts 3:13

Acts 3:13 is a pivotal verse from Peter's second sermon, delivered in the Temple courts after the miraculous healing of a lame man. Peter addresses the astonished Jewish crowd, shifting their focus from the miracle itself to the one who empowered it: Jesus Christ. In this verse, Peter directly confronts the crowd with their role in Jesus' crucifixion, contrasting their rejection with God's divine glorification of His Son.

Context

This verse is part of Peter's powerful address to the Jewish people gathered in Solomon's Portico, following the healing of a man lame from birth (Acts 3:6-8). The miracle had drawn a large crowd, and Peter seized the opportunity to preach the Gospel. He clarifies that the healing was not by his own power or godliness, but through the faith in the name of Jesus, whom they had denied and put to death. This sermon sets the stage for a call to repentance and belief in Jesus as the Messiah.

Key Themes

The God of Our Fathers

Peter begins by identifying God as "The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers." This phrase immediately connects Jesus to the historical and covenantal heritage of Israel. It affirms that the God who acted through Jesus is the same God who made promises to the patriarchs, underscoring the continuity of God's plan and the legitimacy of Jesus within Jewish history. This was a powerful rhetorical move, establishing common ground before delivering a challenging message. See Matthew 22:32 for another instance of this significant title.

Jesus' Glorification vs. Human Rejection

The core tension in the verse lies in the stark contrast between God's action and humanity's action. God "hath glorified his Son Jesus," meaning He has exalted Him, vindicated Him, and raised Him to a position of honor and authority through the resurrection and ascension. This divine act directly counters the crowd's human act: "whom ye delivered up, and denied him." This highlights the profound irony and tragedy of their rejection of their own Messiah. God's plan for Jesus' exaltation unfolded despite, or rather through, the wicked acts of men.

Pilate's Role and Jewish Culpability

Peter emphasizes the deliberate nature of their denial by stating it occurred "in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go." Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, had found no fault in Jesus and sought to release Him (John 19:4). Yet, the Jewish leaders and the crowd vehemently insisted on His crucifixion, choosing a murderer (Barabbas) over the innocent Christ (John 19:15). This detail underscores the depth of their culpability, showing that their rejection was not an error of judgment but a determined act against one whom even the secular authority recognized as innocent.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "glorified" is edoxasen (ἐδόξασεν), which signifies to honor, exalt, or make glorious. It conveys the idea of God bestowing supreme honor and recognition upon Jesus, particularly through His resurrection and ascension to the right hand of God (Philippians 2:9-11). The phrase "delivered up" comes from the Greek paredōkate (παρεδώκατε), meaning to hand over or betray, often used in the context of handing someone over to authorities for judgment or punishment.

Practical Application

Acts 3:13 serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereign plan and His ultimate vindication of Jesus, even in the face of human opposition. For believers, it reinforces the truth that Jesus is indeed the glorified Son of God, worthy of all honor and worship. For those who have not yet embraced Jesus, it stands as a clear presentation of His identity and the historical reality of His rejection, leading to a call for repentance and faith in the One whom God has exalted. It challenges us to examine our own hearts: do we deny Jesus by our actions or beliefs, or do we acknowledge and glorify Him as the Son of God?