Acts 4:13

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.

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}.

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.

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.

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.

Commentary

Context

Acts 4:13 follows a pivotal moment in the early church's history. Peter and John had just been arrested by the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish judicial council, following Peter's powerful sermon in the Temple courts. Their arrest was prompted by Peter's miraculous healing of a man lame from birth (Acts 3:6-8) and their subsequent proclamation of Jesus as the resurrected Messiah. The religious leaders were deeply disturbed by the apostles' teaching and their challenge to the established order. This verse describes the Sanhedrin's astonished reaction to Peter and John's defense and their obvious spiritual authority, despite their humble backgrounds.

Key Themes

  • Divine Empowerment Over Human Qualification: The Jewish leaders, accustomed to formal rabbinic training, were astonished that Peter and John—common fishermen with no formal education—spoke with such eloquence and authority. Their boldness was clearly not derived from human learning or social standing, but from the power of the Holy Spirit. This theme underscores that God uses ordinary people for extraordinary purposes.
  • The Transformative Power of Being "With Jesus": The most profound realization for the Sanhedrin was that Peter and John "had been with Jesus." This phrase signifies more than mere physical proximity; it points to the profound spiritual transformation and deep discipleship that occurred through their personal relationship and time spent learning from Christ. Their character, wisdom, and courage were a direct result of their intimate fellowship with the Lord.
  • Boldness in Witnessing: Despite facing the highest religious and political authority in Judea, Peter and John spoke with unwavering confidence and conviction. This boldness (Greek: parrhesia), a recurring theme in the book of Acts, is a hallmark of Spirit-filled believers who are unashamed to proclaim the Gospel, even in the face of opposition.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "unlearned and ignorant men" translates the Greek words agrammatoi (ἀγράμματοι) and idiotai (ἰδιῶται).

  • Agrammatoi literally means "unlettered" or "illiterate," indicating a lack of formal scribal or rabbinic schooling in the Law and traditions. It suggests they were not trained theologians or scholars.
  • Idiotai refers to "private citizens" or "laymen," contrasting them with those who held public office or were professionals in a particular field. It does not imply stupidity, but rather that they were "common" or "unskilled" in formal rhetoric and public speaking by the standards of the time.
These terms highlight the apostles' humble origins and lack of formal religious training, making their wisdom and authority all the more striking to the educated members of the Sanhedrin.

Practical Application

Acts 4:13 offers profound encouragement for believers today. It reminds us that:

  • God uses ordinary people: Our effectiveness in serving God is not dependent on our academic credentials, social status, or natural eloquence, but on our willingness to be used by the Holy Spirit.
  • Time with Jesus transforms: The most important qualification for spiritual impact is a deep, abiding relationship with Jesus Christ. Like Peter and John, our lives and words are transformed by spending time in His presence, studying His Word, and obeying His commands. This personal connection is the source of true spiritual authority and boldness. As Jesus taught, "Without me ye can do nothing."
  • Boldness is a mark of discipleship: When we are filled with the Holy Spirit and rooted in Christ, we can speak God's truth with courage and conviction, even in challenging circumstances. Our testimony can be a powerful witness to the transformative power of Jesus, leaving observers astonished by the divine influence in our lives.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Corinthians 1:27 (30 votes)

    But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

  • John 7:15 (27 votes)

    And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?

  • Matthew 11:25 (23 votes)

    ¶ At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

  • Matthew 26:73 (6 votes)

    And after a while came unto [him] they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art [one] of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.

  • Acts 2:7 (6 votes)

    And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?

  • Acts 2:12 (6 votes)

    And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?

  • Matthew 4:18 (2 votes)

    ¶ And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.