Peter immediately grounds Jesus' Messianic claims not in abstract theology, but in concrete actions that the listeners themselves witnessed. The Greek word for "approved" here isn't about God liking Jesus, but about God proving Him through "mighty works, wonders, and signs" – potent displays of divine power that were undeniable and acted out right there among them. This highlights that Jesus' mission was authenticated by God, not just proclaimed by Him, and the audience's personal knowledge of these events is presented as irrefutable evidence.
“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— this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter begins by directly addressing the Jewish crowd, calling them "Men of Israel" to connect with their shared heritage. He then boldly presents Jesus of Nazareth, emphasizing that He was a real man, known to them, whose divine mission was undeniably proven through the powerful miracles, wonders, and signs that God performed through Him. This appeal to their own experience sets the stage for his argument that these very acts, and especially the resurrection to come, confirm Jesus as the Messiah.
Peter doesn't shy away from calling Jesus 'a man.' But he immediately clarifies that this 'man' was uniquely 'approved' by God. What does 'approved' really mean here, and why is it so crucial for Peter's argument?
Peter uses the Greek word 'apodedegmenon,' which isn't just about God liking Jesus. It means Jesus was publicly demonstrated, pointed out, and proven to be exactly who he claimed to be – the Messiah sent by God.
Think of it like a royal seal on an important document. This seal proves the document's authenticity and authority. Peter is saying that the 'mighty works, wonders, and signs' Jesus performed were God’s own seal of approval, a public declaration to everyone in Israel that Jesus was God's chosen one.
These weren't just tricks; they were divine endorsements. They showed that Jesus wasn't just a carpenter from Nazareth, but someone divinely empowered and commissioned by God Himself.
Peter lists three terms for Jesus' extraordinary actions: 'mighty works,' 'wonders,' and 'signs.' Why use all three? What does this rich description tell us about the purpose behind Jesus' miracles?
These aren't just synonyms; they highlight different facets of Jesus' miraculous activity, all pointing to God’s message:
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Together, they paint a picture of Jesus' ministry as a powerful, attention-grabbing, and divinely authored message intended to reveal God’s presence and plan.
Peter ends this verse with a powerful appeal: 'as you yourselves know.' This isn't a weak suggestion; it's a bold challenge based on shared experience. What’s the significance of this direct appeal to the listeners’ own knowledge?
Peter isn't asking them to take his word for it alone. He’s grounding his message in their own lived reality. He’s saying, 'You saw this. You experienced it. You can't honestly deny the reality of Jesus' miracles.'
This appeals to their conscience and their memory. The miracles weren't hidden events; they happened 'in your midst.' Many in the crowd had likely witnessed Jesus’ healing the sick, feeding the multitudes, or even raising the dead. This personal, shared knowledge forms the foundation for Peter's call to repentance.
It underscores a crucial point: God often works in ways that are observable and known, even if they are later misinterpreted or ignored. Peter’s strategy is to first establish a common ground of undeniable facts before moving to the profound theological implications.
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.
horismenos boulē · Greek NounPhrase
Refers to the divine decree or settled purpose of God regarding human history and redemption. It emphasizes that God is sovereign over all events, including the betrayal and crucifixion of Christ, while remaining distinct from the responsibility of those who perpetrate evil.
prognōsis · Greek Noun
The attribute of God whereby He has comprehensive, perfect knowledge of all things before they come to pass. It underscores His omniscience and sovereign control over history.
anomos · Greek Adjective
A term describing those who operate outside the boundaries of divine law. It characterizes those who act in rebellion against God's standards of righteousness and justice.
anistēmi · Greek Verb
Refers to the literal and historical resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. This act signifies God's vindication of Christ’s mission, His victory over sin and death, and the foundation of the Christian hope.
thanatos · Greek Noun
The state of non-existence or separation from God initiated by sin. In the context of Christ, it refers to the grave or the power of death that Jesus overcame through His resurrection, demonstrating that death has no ultimate claim on Him.
Peter's sermon directly confronts the people of Israel with the reality of Jesus' life and ministry, appealing to their own knowledge of His miraculous deeds as evidence of His divine commission.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Ministry in Galilee and Judea
Jesus of Nazareth travels throughout the region, performing numerous miracles, healing the sick, and teaching about the Kingdom of God. These events are widely witnessed by the people.
c. AD 30
Crucifixion of Jesus
Despite the signs and wonders associated with His ministry, Jesus is arrested, tried, and crucified by the Roman authorities at the urging of some Jewish leaders.
c. AD 30
Resurrection of Jesus
According to Christian belief, Jesus is raised from the dead on the third day after His crucifixion, appearing to many of His followers.
c. AD 30— this verse
Day of Pentecost
Fifty days after the resurrection, Jesus' disciples are gathered in Jerusalem and are filled with the Holy Spirit, empowering them to speak in other languages.
c. AD 30
Peter's Sermon on Pentecost
Peter addresses the assembled crowd in Jerusalem, explaining the events of Pentecost and proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah, who was attested by God through mighty works, wonders, and signs.
This Old Testament passage promises a prophet like Moses, sent by God, which directly sets the stage for Peter's argument that Jesus, attested by signs and wonders, is that promised prophet.
John 3:2Nicodemus acknowledges that Jesus' miracles were undeniable proof that 'God is with him,' echoing Peter's assertion that Jesus was 'approved by God' through His works.
Acts 10:38Peter's sermon to Cornelius parallels this passage by highlighting how God 'anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power,' who 'went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed,' confirming the divine attestation through His actions.
Hebrews 2:4This New Testament book reinforces the idea that God bore witness to Jesus' message 'by signs and wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit,' aligning perfectly with Peter's appeal to the crowd's knowledge of Jesus' powerful deeds.
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 immediately grounds Jesus' Messianic claims not in abstract theology, but in concrete actions that the listeners themselves witnessed. The Greek word for "approved" here isn't about God liking Jesus, but about God proving Him through "mighty works, wonders, and signs" – potent displays of divine power that were undeniable and acted out right there among them. This highlights that Jesus' mission was authenticated by God, not just proclaimed by Him, and the audience's personal knowledge of these events is presented as irrefutable evidence.
Peter begins by directly addressing the Jewish crowd, calling them "Men of Israel" to connect with their shared heritage. He then boldly presents Jesus of Nazareth, emphasizing that He was a real man, known to them, whose divine mission was undeniably proven through the powerful miracles, wonders, and signs that God performed through Him. This appeal to their own experience sets the stage for his argument that these very acts, and especially the resurrection to come, confirm Jesus as the Messiah.
Peter begins by directly addressing the Jewish crowd, calling them "Men of Israel" to connect with their shared heritage. He then boldly presents Jesus of Nazareth, emphasizing that He was a real man, known to them, whose divine mission was undeniably proven through the powerful miracles, wonders, and signs that God performed through Him. This appeal to their own experience sets the stage for his argument that these very acts, and especially the resurrection to come, confirm Jesus as the Messiah.
"“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— this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite pl…" — Peter immediately grounds Jesus' Messianic claims not in abstract theology, but in concrete actions that the listeners themselves witnessed. The Greek word for "approved" here isn't about God *liking…
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Last reviewed October 2026
