### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word ἀγράμματος (agrámmatos), Strong's number `{{G62}}`, is a compound term derived from the privative alpha (α-), signifying negation ("not" or "without"), and γράμμα (gramma), `{{G1121}}`, meaning "a letter" or "writing." Therefore, its core semantic range denotes someone who is "unlettered," "illiterate," or "unlearned" in the sense of lacking formal education, particularly in reading and writing. In a broader context, especially within the Jewish society of the first century, it could extend to describe individuals who lacked formal rabbinic training or specialized scholarly instruction, even if they possessed basic literacy. It speaks to a perceived deficiency in academic or intellectual credentials according to the standards of the religious elite.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ἀγράμματος (agrámmatos) appears only once in the New Testament, in the book of Acts:
* **[[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."
* **Context:** This verse describes the reaction of the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish judicial and religious council, to the powerful testimony and defense offered by Peter and John after they had healed a lame man at the Temple gate. The Sanhedrin, comprised of highly educated priests, scribes, and elders, observed the apostles' remarkable boldness and perceived them as ἀγράμματος (unlearned) and ἰδιῶται (idiōtai, `{{G2399}}`, meaning "private citizens," "common persons," or "unskilled").
* **Analysis:** This assessment by the Sanhedrin does not necessarily imply that Peter and John were completely unable to read or write. Rather, it signifies their lack of formal rabbinic schooling and theological training, which was the standard for religious authority and intellectual standing within the Jewish establishment. They were not graduates of the prestigious schools of the Pharisees or Sadducees, nor had they sat at the feet of renowned teachers like Gamaliel (as Paul had). Their profound wisdom, articulate defense, and undeniable authority were therefore strikingly incongruous with their perceived lack of formal credentials, causing the Sanhedrin to marvel. The crucial observation, "they had been with Jesus," provides the divine explanation for the apostles' extraordinary capabilities.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **γράμμα (gramma)**: `{{G1121}}` - The root word from which ἀγράμματος is derived, meaning "a letter of the alphabet," "writing," or "a written document." The absence of familiarity with γράμμα is the essence of being ἀγράμματος.
* **ἰδιώτης (idiōtēs)**: `{{G2399}}` - This term, often translated as "layman," "unskilled," or "ignorant," is paired with ἀγράμματος in [[Acts 4:13]]. It further emphasizes the apostles' status as common people, lacking specialized professional or intellectual training according to the world's standards.
* **σοφία (sophia)**: `{{G4678}}` - "Wisdom." The narrative implicitly contrasts the human perception of ἀγράμματος with the evident spiritual σοφία and power displayed by Peter and John, which was clearly divine in origin.
* **διδασκαλία (didaskalia)**: `{{G1319}}` - "Teaching" or "instruction." To be ἀγράμματος implies a lack of formal διδασκαλία from established human institutions.
* **ῥήτωρ (rhētōr)**: `{{G4489}}` - "Orator" or "speaker." Those considered ἀγράμματος would typically not be expected to possess the rhetorical skill and persuasive power demonstrated by Peter.
### Theological Significance
The single occurrence of ἀγράμματος in [[Acts 4:13]] carries substantial theological weight:
1. **Divine Empowerment Over Human Credentials:** The description of Peter and John as "unlearned" powerfully underscores a recurring biblical motif: God often chooses and empowers those who are not esteemed by human standards. It highlights that the effectiveness and authority of the apostles' ministry were not contingent upon their intellectual prowess, formal education, or social standing, but solely upon the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit and their intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. This challenges humanistic notions that spiritual authority or effectiveness is primarily derived from academic or institutional credentials.
2. **The Authority of Christ:** The Sanhedrin's profound realization that Peter and John "had been with Jesus" serves as the ultimate counterpoint to their perceived lack of learning. Their wisdom, boldness, and authority flowed directly from their discipleship and eyewitness testimony of the resurrected Christ, rather than from rabbinic schools or human traditions. This emphasizes the transformative and empowering nature of direct encounter with the living Lord.
3. **God's Use of the "Weak" and "Foolish":** This narrative aligns perfectly with the Apostle Paul's later theological statements in [[1 Corinthians 1:27-29]], where he asserts that God deliberately chooses the "foolish things of the world to shame the wise" and the "weak things of the world to shame the strong." The ἀγράμματος status of the apostles magnifies God's glory, demonstrating that His work is accomplished through His power, not through human ability or worldly wisdom, ensuring that "no one may boast before him."
4. **Authenticity of the Early Christian Message:** The fact that the foundational leaders of the early church were perceived as ἀγράμματος lends an element of raw authenticity to their message. Their proclamation of Jesus' resurrection and lordship was not a product of sophisticated theological argumentation, rhetorical training, or philosophical speculation, but a simple, direct, and powerful testimony of truth, empowered by the Spirit.
### Summary
The Greek word ἀγράμματος (agrámmatos), `{{G62}}`, meaning "unlettered" or "unlearned," fundamentally describes a lack of formal education in reading and writing. Its sole New Testament occurrence in [[Acts 4:13]] applies to Peter and John, highlighting their absence of formal rabbinic training and scholarly credentials in the eyes of the Sanhedrin. This perception, however, stands in stark contrast to their evident spiritual wisdom, boldness, and power, which the Sanhedrin rightly attributed to their association with Jesus. Theologically, ἀγράμματος underscores God's pattern of choosing and empowering those not esteemed by human standards, demonstrating that true spiritual authority and effectiveness flow from divine anointing and an intimate relationship with Christ, rather than from human wisdom or academic achievement.
TRV