But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter pointedly uses "the Holy and Righteous One" to contrast Jesus with Barabbas, highlighting that their choice wasn't just between two men, but between ultimate holiness and a known murderer. The Greek word for "asked for" (or "desired") implies not just a simple request, but a deliberate, urgent demand for the release of a criminal over the innocent Son of God.
But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter is addressing the crowd in Jerusalem after healing a man who had been lame from birth right there at the temple gate. He’s explaining that the power came not from him or the healed man's faith alone, but from Jesus, whom they handed over and denied. He calls them to repent, reminding them of their rejection of Jesus in favor of a murderer named Barabbas.
When Peter calls Jesus 'the Holy and Righteous One,' he's using titles that resonate deeply with Old Testament truths. But why these specific terms, and what do they reveal about Jesus in this moment?
Peter is using powerful language here, directly contrasting Jesus with Barabbas.
Set Apart
'The Holy One' points to Jesus' perfect moral purity and His unique consecration to God. Think of it as the ultimate set-apartness. Even demons recognized this, crying out 'You are the Holy One of God' (Mark 1:24).
Flawless in God's Eyes
'The Just One' speaks to His perfect innocence and righteousness, especially in the eyes of God and the law. Pilate’s wife (Matthew 27:19) and Pilate himself (Matthew 27:24) bore witness to His blamelessness, despite the political pressure.
Peter is reminding the crowd that they rejected someone uniquely pure and righteous, someone God Himself had glorified. This wasn't just a bad decision; it was a profound spiritual and moral error.
The choice the crowd made was stark: Jesus or Barabbas. What does the word 'desired' or 'asked for' truly convey about their demand, and what does it say about their hearts?
Peter doesn't just state a fact; he exposes a heart attitude.
A Plea, Not a Permission
The word translated 'desired' or 'asked for' (from the Greek word 'aiteō') implies more than a casual request. It can mean to demand, to ask earnestly, or even to plead for something. It wasn't a neutral decision; it was an active, passionate rejection of Jesus.
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Trading Life for Death
Barabbas was a known murderer and rebel (Mark 15:7; Luke 23:19). By demanding his release, the crowd actively chose a known criminal over the 'Holy and Just One.' This wasn't a simple case of being mistaken; it was a willful preference for lawlessness and violence over divine holiness and justice. They essentially asked for a reprieve for a murderer, seeing him as a better option than the Son of God.
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.
Peter's direct accusation in Acts 3:14 directly recalls the Passover crowd's choice of Barabbas, a murderer, over Jesus, highlighting the stark contrast between human wickedness and divine righteousness.
c. AD 27-30— this verse
Jesus' Public Ministry and Crucifixion
Jesus proclaims the Kingdom of God, performs miracles, and is ultimately condemned and crucified by Jewish leaders and Roman authorities. The crowd famously calls for Barabbas' release instead of Jesus'.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Resurrection and Ascension
Following Jesus' crucifixion, his followers witness his resurrection, signifying his victory over death. He then ascends to heaven, empowering his disciples with the Holy Spirit.
c. AD 33
The Early Church in Jerusalem
The apostles, empowered by the Holy Spirit, begin boldly preaching Jesus' resurrection in Jerusalem, performing miracles in his name and drawing large crowds.
c. AD 33
Peter's Sermon After Healing the Lame Man
After healing a man lame from birth, Peter addresses the crowd, directly confronting their role in Jesus' death and urging them to repent and believe.
This passage highlights Nathanael's confession of Jesus as the 'King of Israel' and 'Son of God,' echoing the divine identity that the crowd in Acts 3 denied and rejected.
Matthew 27:20-21This directly parallels Acts 3:14 by showing the crowd actively choosing to release the murderer Barabbas and demanding Jesus' crucifixion, underscoring their rejection of the 'Just One' for a criminal.
Psalm 16:10Peter is alluding to this psalm, which speaks of God's 'Holy One' not seeing decay, connecting Jesus' resurrection to His inherent holiness and righteousness that the people denied.
Isaiah 53:11This prophecy describes the suffering servant who would be 'declared righteous' and 'bear the sin of many,' reflecting the paradox of Jesus being the 'Just One' who was condemned by sinful humanity.
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 pointedly uses "the Holy and Righteous One" to contrast Jesus with Barabbas, highlighting that their choice wasn't just between two men, but between ultimate holiness and a known murderer. The Greek word for "asked for" (or "desired") implies not just a simple request, but a deliberate, urgent demand for the release of a criminal over the innocent Son of God.
Peter is addressing the crowd in Jerusalem after healing a man who had been lame from birth right there at the temple gate. He’s explaining that the power came not from him or the healed man's faith alone, but from Jesus, whom they handed over and denied. He calls them to repent, reminding them of their rejection of Jesus in favor of a murderer named Barabbas.
Peter is addressing the crowd in Jerusalem after healing a man who had been lame from birth right there at the temple gate. He’s explaining that the power came not from him or the healed man's faith alone, but from Jesus, whom they handed over and denied. He calls them to repent, reminding them of their rejection of Jesus in favor of a murderer named Barabbas.
"But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you," — Peter pointedly uses "the Holy and Righteous One" to contrast Jesus with Barabbas, highlighting that their choice wasn't just between two men, but between ultimate holiness and a known murderer. The…
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Last reviewed October 2026