“Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.”
My Notes
What Does Acts 4:10 Mean?
Peter declares the source of the healing miracle to the Sanhedrin: be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel — the declaration is public and comprehensive. Peter does not whisper. He announces — to the entire Sanhedrin and by extension to all Israel. The source of the healing is not to be hidden or attributed to anyone else.
By the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth — the name (onoma) is the authority. The healing was accomplished through the name — the person, the power, the authority — of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Peter uses the full identification: Jesus (the human name), Christ (the messianic title), of Nazareth (the hometown that identified him as a specific, historical person). There is no ambiguity about who did this.
Whom ye crucified — the accusation is direct and personal. Ye — you, the people in this room, the leaders of Israel. Crucified — executed by the most shameful method available. Peter does not soften the charge. The same council that condemned Jesus is now told: the one you killed did this.
Whom God raised from the dead — the reversal. You crucified him. God raised him. The human verdict was death. The divine verdict was resurrection. The two actions are juxtaposed to maximum effect: your rejection was overturned by God's approval.
Even by him doth this man stand here before you whole — the evidence is standing in front of them. The healed man (lame from birth, Acts 3:2) is whole (hugies — healthy, sound, complete). The healing is the proof. The standing man is the argument. The name they tried to destroy is the name that produced the miracle they cannot deny.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Why does Peter use the full name 'Jesus Christ of Nazareth' — and what does each element communicate to the Sanhedrin?
- 2.How does the juxtaposition of 'whom ye crucified' and 'whom God raised' summarize the gospel?
- 3.What does the healed man standing 'whole' before the council demonstrate about the power of Jesus's name?
- 4.Where do you need the boldness Peter displays — speaking truth directly to people who hold power over you?
Devotional
By the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead. Peter stands before the most powerful religious court in Israel and says: the name you tried to destroy is the name that just healed this man. The one you killed is the one God raised. And the power you attempted to eliminate is standing right here — in the form of a healed man you cannot explain away.
Whom ye crucified. Peter does not avoid the uncomfortable truth. He puts it directly to the people who did it: you crucified him. The council that condemned Jesus to death is now told that the condemned one is the source of miraculous power. The confrontation is deliberate. The truth must be spoken to the people who need to hear it most.
Whom God raised from the dead. You killed him. God raised him. The two sentences are the gospel in its simplest form. Human rejection. Divine reversal. The cross was your verdict. The resurrection was God's. And God's verdict overruled yours.
Even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. The evidence is in the room. The formerly lame man is standing — whole, healthy, complete. The healing is undeniable. The source is named. And the council is forced to confront a reality they cannot explain: the name they rejected is doing things their power never could.
This is the pattern of the gospel: the world rejects Jesus, God vindicates him, and the evidence stands in plain sight. The healed man is the argument. The resurrection is the proof. The name is the power. And the people who rejected that name are the ones who need it most.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Be it known unto you all,.... The members of the sanhedrim:
and to all the people of Israel; who might hear of this…
Be it known ... - Peter might have evaded the question, or he might have resorted to many excuses and subterfuges…
By the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth - This was a very bold declaration in the presence of such an assembly; but he…
We have here the trial of Peter and John before the judges of the ecclesiastical court, for preaching a sermon…
by the name of Jesus Read inthe name, as before.
whom ye crucified i.e. by the Roman soldiers. So (2Sa 12:9) David is…
Cross References
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