The greatness of Jesus Christ. These verses may be regarded as attesting the unapproachable greatness of the Lord Jesus Christ; they invite us to think— I. THAT HE WAS LIKE UNTO THE GREATEST OF ALL WHO PRECEDED HIM , BUT WAS GREATER THAN HE . ( Acts 3:22 .) A greater Legislator than Moses, for his laws should last as long as time itself; a better Man, for he was absolutely without sin; a worthier Leader, conducting out of a harder bondage into... read more
Sons for children, A.V.; your for our, A.V. and T.R.; families for kindreds, A.V. Ye are the sons of the prophets, meaning that they inherited all the promises made by the prophets to their fathers. Just as in Acts 2:39 he said, "The promise is unto you and to your children" (comp. Romans 9:4 ; Romans 15:8 ). He thus enforces the solemn obligation of giving heed to what the prophets had said concerning Christ and his kingdom. In thy seed (see Galatians 3:16 ). This... read more
The true importance of ancestry—what it is. These words were some of those addressed by Peter to a crowd of wondering and admiring spectators, and of attentive hearers also. These were gathered for him by the fret of the man whom he had delivered from his lameness resolving to cleave as long as he could to the side of his deliverer. The "common people" did on this occasion gladly hear Peter, as formerly they gladly were wont to hear his Master and their own. We are grateful to be able to... read more
Servant for Son Jesus, A.V. and T.R.; your for his, A.V. Unto you first . In virtue of the covenant, the first offer of salvation was made to the Jews (see Acts 1:8 ; Acts 13:26 , Acts 13:46 ; Luke 24:47 ; Romans 2:10 , etc.; comp. Matthew 15:24 ). His Servant (as in Acts 3:13 ). As regards the phrase, "having raised up," however natural it is at first sight to understand it of the raising from the dead, the tenses make it impossible to do so. Nor could it be said... read more
The mission of Jesus Christ. "Unto you first," etc.. The Bible its own interpreter. All acknowledge the greatness, wonderfulness, perfection of the gospel portrait. Misconstruction of the facts by the Jew, by the unbelieving philosopher, by the mere moralist, by the rationalist. The last verse of the apostle's sermon a summing up Scripture and facts of history. So always revelation and history explain one another. The truly evangelical view of Christ the only one that appeals to the... read more
Christ's mission to the Jews. St. Peter had been speaking of our Lord's resurrection, and it is natural to connect the expression of the text, "having raised up his Son Jesus," with that resurrection. The idea, however, seems to be more general—God having provided, prepared, given, set forth. Matthew Henry gives the complete thought: "God, having raised up his Son Jesus, appointed and authorized him to be a Prince and a Savior; and, in confirmation of this, raised him from the dead, sent... read more
Ye are the children of the prophets - Greek: “Ye are the sons of the prophets.” The meaning is, not that they were literally the “descendants” of the prophets, but that they were their “disciples,” “pupils,” “followers.” They professed to follow the prophets as their teachers and guides. Teachers among the Jews were often spoken of under the appellation of fathers, and disciples as sons, Matthew 12:27. See notes on Matthew 1:1. As they were the professed disciples of the prophets, they should... read more
Unto you first - To you who are Jews. This was the direction, that the gospel should be first preached to the Jews, beginning at Jerusalem, Luke 24:47. Jesus himself also confined his ministry entirely to the Jews.Having raised up - This expression does not refer to his having raised him from the dead, but is used in the same sense as in Acts 3:22, where God promised that he would raise up a prophet, and send him to teach the people. Peter means that God had appointed his Son Jesus, or had... read more
Acts 3:24-26. Yea, and all the prophets That succeeded Moses, particularly from Samuel, have likewise foretold these days The days of the Messiah, which, by the singular favour of God to you, ye are now so happy as to see. Ye are the children of the prophets You are the descendants of that people, among whom the prophets were raised up, and to whom the prophets were sent. Those of the latter ages of the Jewish Church, when prophecy had ceased, yet might be fitly, in general, called the... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 3:12-26
The two judgments. "The Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart ( 1 Samuel 16:7 )." That which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God" ( Luke 16:15 ). "The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner ( Luke 20:17 ). The above passages, with many others, call our particular attention to the frequent contrariety between the judgment of men and the judgment of God.... read more