Acts 3:12-15

Luke recorded seven of Peter’s addresses in Acts (Acts 1:16-22; Acts 2:14-36; Acts 3:12-26; Acts 4:8-12: Acts 10:34-43; Acts 11:4-17; Acts 15:7-11). [Note: For the rhetorical forms of the speeches in Acts, see Witherington’s commentary.] It is noteworthy that in these sermons Peter did not discuss abstract doctrines or reason about profound theological problems. He presented the person and work of Christ in simple terms.

Peter spoke to his audience as a fellow Jew. First, he denied that it was the power or good character of himself or John that was responsible for the healing. Rather it was the God of the patriarchs, the God of their fathers, who was responsible. He had performed this miracle through the apostles to glorify His Servant Jesus (cf. Acts 2:22). It was God’s Servant Jesus whom Peter’s hearers had disowned and put to death preferring a murderer, Barabbas, to Him.

Peter called Jesus the Servant (Gr. paida) of the Lord, the subject of messianic prophecy (Isaiah 42:1; Isaiah 49:6-7; Isaiah 52:13; Isaiah 53:11; cf. Mark 10:45); the Holy One, a title of Messiah (Psalms 16:10; Isaiah 31:1; cf. Mark 1:24; 1 John 2:20); the Righteous One (Isaiah 53:11; Zechariah 9:9; cf. 1 John 2:1); and the Prince (Author) of Life (Psalms 16; cf. John 1:1-18; Colossians 1:14-20; Hebrews 1:2-3; Hebrews 2:10; Hebrews 12:2).

Peter charged these Jews with four things, first, handing Jesus over to be killed. He then pointed out three inconsistencies in the Jews’ treatment of Jesus and contrasted their treatment of Him with God’s. They had condemned Him when Pilate was about to release Him (Acts 3:13). They rejected the Holy and Righteous One out of preference for a murderer, Barabbas (Acts 3:14; Luke 23:18-19). Furthermore they executed the Author of Life whom God raised from the dead, of which the apostles were witnesses (Acts 3:15). Prince or (better here) Author of Life presents Jesus as the resurrected Messiah who gives life that overcomes death. [Note: Neil, p. 85.]