and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter masterfully contrasts the Jews' choice of Barabbas, a murderer, with their rejection of Jesus, the "Author of life." This phrase, meaning originator or source, highlights that Jesus isn't just a source of life, but the very one from whom all life flows, both physical and spiritual.
and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter is addressing the crowd who witnessed a man crippled from birth being healed by the power of Jesus' name. He's explaining that this miracle wasn't due to their own power, but to God's work through Jesus, whom the people themselves had rejected and handed over to be killed. Peter boldly confronts them with the stark reality that they chose a murderer over the very "Author of life."
When Peter calls Jesus the 'Author of life,' he's not just giving him a fancy title. He's revealing Jesus's unique role in creation and salvation.
The Greek word Peter uses, 'archēgos,' means 'originator,' 'source,' or 'leader.' It points to someone who is the very beginning or cause of something.
Jesus: The Source of All Life
By calling Jesus the 'Author of life,' Peter highlights the immense gravity of the people's actions. They didn't just kill a man; they killed the very One who gives life to everything.
The Jewish leaders thought they had silenced Jesus forever. Peter, however, declares a truth that shatters their victory: God raised Him from the dead.
Peter's accusation is bold: 'You killed the Author of life.' But he immediately follows with the powerful counter-truth: 'whom God raised from the dead.'
God's Ultimate Affirmation
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This resurrection wasn't an afterthought; it was God's plan, proving that the 'Author of life' could not be permanently held by death.
Peter and the other apostles aren't just repeating what they heard; they are eyewitnesses to the most significant event in history.
The testimony of the apostles is grounded in reality. Peter concludes, 'whereof we are witnesses.' This wasn't a theological speculation; it was lived experience.
The Foundation of Our Faith
Their willingness to suffer and even die for this message underscores their absolute certainty. They saw the Risen Christ, and that changed everything.
Understand the original words
archēgos · Greek Noun
The originator, pioneer, or source of something; used here to identify Jesus as the source of eternal life and the resurrection.
martys · Greek Noun
Individuals who have personally seen or experienced an event and are tasked with providing authoritative testimony to the truth of that event, particularly the resurrection of Christ.
c. AD 30— this verse
Crucifixion of Jesus
Jesus is arrested, tried, and crucified in Jerusalem under the Roman governor Pontius Pilate, at the insistence of Jewish leaders.
c. AD 30
Resurrection of Jesus
According to Christian belief, Jesus is raised from the dead three days after his crucifixion. This event is central to the apostles' witness.
c. AD 30
Ascension of Jesus
Jesus ascends into heaven after appearing to his disciples over a period of 40 days following his resurrection.
c. AD 30
Pentecost and the Coming of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit descends upon the apostles in Jerusalem, empowering them to preach and perform miracles in Jesus' name.
c. AD 30-33
Healing of the Lame Man at the Temple
Peter and John, empowered by the Holy Spirit, heal a man lame from birth at the Beautiful Gate of the temple in Jerusalem.
c. AD 33
Peter's Sermon in Solomon's Portico
Following the healing miracle, Peter preaches to the crowd gathered at the temple, denouncing their role in Jesus' death and proclaiming his resurrection.
This passage echoes the title 'Author of life' by stating 'In him was life, and that life was the light of men,' highlighting Jesus as the very source and essence of life.
Hebrews 2:10This verse uses a similar Greek word to describe Jesus as the 'Captain of their salvation,' underscoring His role as the originator and leader, not just of life, but of our salvation.
1 Corinthians 15:20This passage calls Jesus the 'firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep,' which directly connects to His resurrection and His role as the 'Author of life' who overcomes death.
Acts 2:24Peter himself, in his sermon just before this, proclaimed that God 'raised him up, loosening the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it,' reinforcing the central truth of Christ's resurrection as the basis for His authority over life.
Philippians 2:6-8This passage describes Jesus' divine nature and His voluntary humility in death, contrasting His supreme being with the destructive choice the people made when they 'killed the Author of life.'
vincentActs 3:15: "And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses."
The Prince of life (ἀρχηγὸν τῆς ζωῆς)The Greek brings out by the position of these words what Bengel calls "the magnificent antithesis" between a murderer and the Prince of life. "Ye demanded a murderer, but the Prince of life ye killed." This is the only place where the phrase occurs. Ἀρχηγός, though sometimes rendered prince, means, primarily, beginning, and thence originator, autho…
calvinActs 3:12-16: "And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?"
- And when Peter saw that, he made answer unto the people, Men of Israel, why marvel ye at this, or why look ye so steadfastly on us, as if by our own power or godliness we have made this man walk? 13. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his S…
Peter masterfully contrasts the Jews' choice of Barabbas, a murderer, with their rejection of Jesus, the "Author of life." This phrase, meaning originator or source, highlights that Jesus isn't just a source of life, but the very one from whom all life flows, both physical and spiritual.
Peter is addressing the crowd who witnessed a man crippled from birth being healed by the power of Jesus' name. He's explaining that this miracle wasn't due to their own power, but to God's work through Jesus, whom the people themselves had rejected and handed over to be killed. Peter boldly confronts them with the stark reality that they chose a murderer over the very "Author of life."
Peter is addressing the crowd who witnessed a man crippled from birth being healed by the power of Jesus' name. He's explaining that this miracle wasn't due to their own power, but to God's work through Jesus, whom the people themselves had rejected and handed over to be killed. Peter boldly confronts them with the stark reality that they chose a murderer over the very "Author of life."
"and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses." — Peter masterfully contrasts the Jews' choice of Barabbas, a murderer, with their rejection of Jesus, the "Author of life." This phrase, meaning originator or source, highlights that Jesus isn't just…
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Last reviewed October 2026