“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know—
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter calls Jesus "a man attested by God," emphasizing that the "mighty works and wonders and signs" weren't just impressive feats but public demonstrations, like God pointing to Jesus and saying, "This is the one." The crucial part is "as you yourselves know"—Peter's entire argument hinges on the fact that his audience witnessed these undeniable divine interventions firsthand.
“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know—
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter is addressing a crowd of Jews gathered in Jerusalem, speaking under the power of the Holy Spirit that has just fallen upon the disciples. He's not just recounting the amazing event of speaking in tongues, but using it as a launchpad to powerfully declare that Jesus, whom they themselves saw crucified, is God's chosen Messiah, now raised and exalted. This verse kicks off Peter's explanation, grounding Jesus' identity and mission in the undeniable miracles and signs God performed through Him right before their eyes.
When Peter calls Jesus 'a man approved by God,' he's not just saying God gave Jesus a thumbs-up. He's declaring Jesus was publicly, undeniably proven to be who He claimed to be.
The Greek word Peter uses for 'approved' (apodedegmenon) means 'pointed out,' 'demonstrated,' or 'shown forth.' It’s like God put Jesus on trial and presented irrefutable evidence.
God's Public Endorsement
Peter is saying: God didn't just whisper Jesus' credentials; He shouted them through His Son's actions, making them impossible to ignore.
Peter isn't asking the crowd to take his word for it. He boldly appeals to their own eyewitness accounts, challenging their understanding and their actions.
The phrase 'as you yourselves know' is a powerful rhetorical tool. Peter isn't just preaching them; he's drawing them into the argument by reminding them of their shared experiences.
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An Appeal to Common Knowledge
Understand the original words
dynamis, teras, sēmeion · Greek Noun
Miraculous acts or supernatural events performed to authenticate a message or messenger sent from God. They point beyond the act itself to the power and character of God.
Peter's sermon in Acts 2 hinges on the fact that the miraculous works and signs Jesus performed during his earthly ministry were widely known and witnessed by the very people he is addressing. This shared knowledge forms the foundation of his argument that Jesus was indeed God's chosen one, attested by powerful deeds.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Public Ministry
Jesus travels throughout Galilee and Judea, teaching, healing the sick, and performing numerous miracles. These events were widely known and witnessed by many people, including those who would later hear Peter's sermon.
c. AD 30
Crucifixion of Jesus
Jesus is arrested, tried, and crucified in Jerusalem. This event, though a tragedy for his followers, was a public spectacle witnessed by many.
c. AD 30— this verse
Resurrection of Jesus
According to Christian belief, Jesus is raised from the dead three days after his crucifixion. This is presented as the ultimate sign and proof of his divine identity.
c. AD 30
Jesus Ascends to Heaven
After appearing to his followers over a period of 40 days, Jesus is taken up into heaven. This event solidifies his departure and the beginning of the new era of the Holy Spirit.
c. AD 30
Pentecost and the Coming of the Holy Spirit
Ten days after Jesus' ascension, the Holy Spirit descends upon the disciples in Jerusalem. This empowers them to preach the gospel, and Peter delivers his sermon to the crowds.
Nicodemus acknowledges Jesus' divine authority, stating that his mighty works serve as undeniable proof that 'God is with him,' echoing Peter's argument that Jesus' miracles attested to his divine mission.
Hebrews 1:2This passage highlights Jesus as the agent through whom God created the worlds, underscoring a consistent theme of divine power and authority being manifested through the Son, which aligns with Peter's emphasis on God working through Jesus in Acts.
Isaiah 42:1This prophecy describes God's chosen servant who will bring justice and reveal His truth through His Spirit, providing a Messianic backdrop to Peter's assertion that Jesus was 'approved by God' and demonstrated this through His powerful works.
Acts 10:38Peter repeats a similar argument to Cornelius, stating that 'God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power,' and that he 'went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with him,' reinforcing the idea that Jesus' actions were divine attestations.
vincentActs 2:22: "Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:"
Approved (ἀποδεδειγμένον)The verb means to point out or shew forth. Shewn to be that which he claimed to be.Miracles (δυνάμεσι)Better, Rev., mighty works. Lit., powers. See on Matthew 11:20.
clarkeActs 2:22: "Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:"
A man approved of God - Αποδεδειγμενον, celebrated, famous. The sense of the verse seems to be this: Jesus of Nazareth, a man sent of God, and celebrated among you by miracles, wonders, and signs; and all these done in such profusion as had never been done by the best of your most accredited p…
Peter calls Jesus "a man attested by God," emphasizing that the "mighty works and wonders and signs" weren't just impressive feats but public demonstrations, like God pointing to Jesus and saying, "This is the one." The crucial part is "as you yourselves know"—Peter's entire argument hinges on the fact that his audience witnessed these undeniable divine interventions firsthand.
Peter is addressing a crowd of Jews gathered in Jerusalem, speaking under the power of the Holy Spirit that has just fallen upon the disciples. He's not just recounting the amazing event of speaking in tongues, but using it as a launchpad to powerfully declare that Jesus, whom they themselves saw crucified, is God's chosen Messiah, now raised and exalted. This verse kicks off Peter's explanation, grounding Jesus' identity and mission in the undeniable miracles and signs God performed through Him right before their eyes.
Peter is addressing a crowd of Jews gathered in Jerusalem, speaking under the power of the Holy Spirit that has just fallen upon the disciples. He's not just recounting the amazing event of speaking in tongues, but using it as a launchpad to powerfully declare that Jesus, whom they themselves saw crucified, is God's chosen Messiah, now raised and exalted. This verse kicks off Peter's explanation, grounding Jesus' identity and mission in the undeniable miracles and signs God performed through Him right before their eyes.
"“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know—" — Peter calls Jesus "a man attested by God," emphasizing that the "mighty works and wonders and signs" weren't just impressive feats but public demonstrations, like God pointing to Jesus and saying, "T…
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Last reviewed October 2026