Acts 3:14
But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Peter doesn't just point out their rejection of Jesus; he highlights the incredible contrast of their choice. They "denied the Holy and Righteous One" – God's perfect Son – and instead "asked for a murderer to be granted to you," essentially demanding a known criminal be set free in Jesus' place. This wasn't just a simple "no" to Jesus; it was an active, public preference for pure evil over absolute good.
Peter is preaching to the crowd in Jerusalem after healing a man who had been lame from birth. He's emphasizing that the miracle wasn't due to his or John's power, but to the resurrected Jesus. Now, Peter directly confronts the people, pointing out their tragic role in Jesus' death, contrasting their rejection of the sinless Son of God with their demand to release a murderer.
Peter lays bare a shocking truth: the crowd's choice wasn't just a mistake, it was a profound rejection of God's very character. What does it mean to deny someone holy and just?
Peter confronts the crowd with their active denial of Jesus. He calls Jesus the 'Holy and Righteous One.' This isn't just about Jesus being sinless; it speaks to His unique set-apartness for God and His perfect moral standing.
What 'Holy' Means Here
What 'Righteous' Means Here
By demanding a murderer instead, the crowd actively chose impurity and injustice over God's perfect Son. It was a spiritual blindness that rejected the ultimate good for the ultimate evil.
Why would people choose a known murderer over Jesus? Peter highlights the shocking preference for Barabbas, revealing a deep spiritual sickness.
Peter contrasts the 'Holy and Righteous One' with 'a murderer.' This 'murderer' is Barabbas, a man known for murder and rebellion, whom the crowd specifically requested be released instead of Jesus (Mark 15:7-15).
The Choice Revealed
Understand the original words
hagios kai dikaios · Greek Adjective/Noun phrase
A title affirming Christ's sinless, divine nature and His perfect adherence to God's standard of holiness and justice.
The verse highlights a shocking contrast: the very people who experienced Jesus' miracles and heard his teachings chose a murderer over the sinless Son of God. This choice, made during Jesus' trial, is powerfully recalled by Peter after Jesus' resurrection, emphasizing the gravity of their rejection.
c. AD 30— this verse
Crucifixion of Jesus
Jesus is condemned and crucified under Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea. The crowd, incited by religious leaders, demanded Jesus' death and the release of Barabbas, a known murderer.
c. AD 30
Resurrection of Jesus
According to the New Testament, Jesus is raised from the dead three days after his crucifixion, appearing to his disciples.
c. AD 30-33
Early Christian Preaching
Peter and the other apostles begin proclaiming Jesus' resurrection and the availability of salvation through faith in him, facing opposition from Jewish authorities.
c. AD 60s
Writing of Acts
The Book of Acts, likely written by Luke, records the early years of the Christian church, including Peter's sermon at the Temple gate.
This psalm is directly referenced by Peter in Acts 2:27 as a prophecy pointing to Jesus' resurrection, highlighting the 'Holy One' who would not see decay, directly linking Jesus to this divine title.
Mark 15:7-11This passage describes the crowd's demand to release Barabbas, a murderer, instead of Jesus, directly paralleling Peter's accusation in Acts 3:14 about their preference for a criminal over the 'Holy and Righteous One'.
John 1:14This verse describes Jesus as 'full of grace and truth,' echoing the concepts of 'Holy' and 'Just' that Peter uses, emphasizing Jesus' divine nature and perfect character which the people rejected.
Matthew 27:24-26Pilate's washing of his hands and the crowd's cry to 'His blood be on us and on our children!' show their active participation in condemning the 'Just' One, even as Pilate declared Jesus innocent.
1 Peter 3:18Peter himself writes later that Christ 'suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous,' echoing the 'Holy and Just One' theme and underscoring the injustice of their rejection and demand.
vincentActs 3:14: "But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;"
Desired (ᾐτήσασθε)Or demanded. See on Luke 11:9.A murderer (ἄνδρα φονέα)Lit., a man who was a murderer.To be granted (χαρισθῆναι)By way of favor (χάρις).
cambridgeActs 3:14: "But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;"
14 . But ye denied the Holy One and the Just ] Whom even the demoniac ( Mark 1:24 ) had confessed to be “the Holy One of God.” desired a murderer ] Barabbas, who had committed murder, Mark 15:7 ; Luke 23:19 .
Peter doesn't just point out their rejection of Jesus; he highlights the incredible contrast of their choice. They "denied the Holy and Righteous One" – God's perfect Son – and instead "asked for a murderer to be granted to you," essentially demanding a known criminal be set free in Jesus' place. This wasn't just a simple "no" to Jesus; it was an active, public preference for pure evil over absolute good.
Peter is preaching to the crowd in Jerusalem after healing a man who had been lame from birth. He's emphasizing that the miracle wasn't due to his or John's power, but to the resurrected Jesus. Now, Peter directly confronts the people, pointing out their tragic role in Jesus' death, contrasting their rejection of the sinless Son of God with their demand to release a murderer.
Peter is preaching to the crowd in Jerusalem after healing a man who had been lame from birth. He's emphasizing that the miracle wasn't due to his or John's power, but to the resurrected Jesus. Now, Peter directly confronts the people, pointing out their tragic role in Jesus' death, contrasting their rejection of the sinless Son of God with their demand to release a murderer.
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This wasn't just a political decision; it was a stark spiritual indictment. They actively rejected the Prince of Life for a man known for taking it.
"But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you," — Peter doesn't just point out their rejection of Jesus; he highlights the incredible contrast of their choice. They "denied the Holy and Righteous One" – God's perfect Son – and instead "asked for a m…
