Acts 4:13 - Exposition

Beheld for saw, A.V.; had perceived for perceived, A.V. The boldness; literally, free or outspokenness ( παῤῥησία ) , and properly used with words signifying to speak (see Acts 2:29 ; Acts 4:29 , Acts 4:31 ; Acts 28:31 ; John 7:13 , etc.), and so the verb ( παρρησιάζεσθαι ) means "to speak freely and boldly" ( Acts 9:27 , Acts 9:29 ; Acts 13:46 ; Acts 14:3 ; Acts 18:26 ; Acts 19:8 ; Acts 26:26 ; elsewhere in the New Testament only in Ephesians 6:20 ; 1 Thessalonians 2:2 ). St. Peter had shown his free-spokenness in so boldly proclaiming the resurrection and mighty power of him whom the rulers he was addressing had crucified. Boldness of speech, when combined with charity and moderation, is a most important grace for a minister of Christ. Unlearned and ignorant men. The term unlearned ( ἀγράμματος ) means that they had no "knowledge of Jewish culture" beyond the Scriptures. Ignorant men ( ἰδιῶται ) was a technical term for those who had not studied in rabbinic schools. The word hediot occurs frequently in the Talmud. They took knowledge , etc. Annas and Caiaphas or some of their people, it is likely, had seen them in the high priest's palace ( John 18:15-18 ).