Breakdown of Acts 4:10

"let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well." — Peter doesn't just name Jesus; he pointedly emphasizes that the very man they crucified is now standing whole before them, highlighting the powerful resurrection that utterly defied their actions. Th…

Acts 4:10 Meaning Explained

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Acts 4:10

let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well.

English Standard Version (ESV)

Peter doesn't just name Jesus; he pointedly emphasizes that the very man they crucified is now standing whole before them, highlighting the powerful resurrection that utterly defied their actions. This isn't just about who performed the healing, but a profound declaration that Jesus' authority is absolute, even over death and the power of those who rejected him.

What Acts 4:10 means

Peter and John have just healed a man who had been lame from birth, causing a commotion. Now, they are brought before the religious council—the very leaders who had condemned Jesus. The council demands to know by what power or name they performed this miracle, and Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, seizes the moment to boldly proclaim Jesus as the source of the healing.

A Public Declaration of Truth

Peter and John are arrested and interrogated by the highest religious authorities in Jerusalem. How do they respond when asked about the source of their power?

In Acts 4, Peter and John are confronted by the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council. They've just healed a man who was lame from birth, an undeniable miracle. The council demands to know by what authority or name they performed this act. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, doesn't hesitate. He seizes this moment not to defend himself, but to boldly declare the truth about Jesus.

Notice how Peter frames his answer as a public testimony to all the people of Israel, not just the council. This isn't just a private explanation; it's a public proclamation of the Gospel message, even in the face of danger.

The Power of the Name and the Resurrection

The miracle was undeniable. The question was: who was behind it? Peter's answer points to a name that was both despised and powerful.

Peter unequivocally states that the healing was done 'by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.' This wasn't just a casual reference; the 'name' in the ancient world signified authority, power, and essence. He specifically identifies Jesus of Nazareth—the one they knew and crucified.

But Peter doesn't stop there. He pivots immediately to the resurrection: 'whom God raised from the dead.' This is crucial! The resurrection is the ultimate validation of Jesus' identity and power. Without the resurrection, His death would be a tragic end. With it, His sacrifice is confirmed, and His power to heal and save is demonstrated. The man standing before them, whole and well, is living proof of this resurrection power.

From Crucified to Crowned: The Ultimate Contrast

Peter levels a direct accusation at the council, reminding them of their role in Jesus' death. Yet, he immediately contrasts this with God's powerful vindication.

Peter doesn't shy away from confronting the Sanhedrin with their own actions: 'whom ye crucified.' This is a bold accusation directed at the very people who condemned Jesus. He's reminding them that they rejected and killed the Messiah. This accusation is deeply personal and charges them with immense guilt.

Understand the original words

Original language

ChristΧριστός (from Hebrew Mashiach)

Christos · Greek/Hebrew Noun/Title

The human title for the Messiah, meaning 'Anointed One.' It signifies His divine appointment as the Savior of the world and the fulfiller of all Old Testament prophecy regarding the redemption of humanity.

crucifiedσταυρόω

stauroō · Greek Verb

The act of putting to death on a cross. In a theological sense, it refers to the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who took upon Himself the penalty for human sin, thus reconciling God and man.

raisedἐγείρω

egeirō · Greek Verb

The divine act by which God the Father brought Jesus back to life after His death. This event is the cornerstone of the Christian faith, demonstrating Christ's victory over sin and death and providing the assurance of future resurrection for all believers.

Historical context

Written: Likely between 60-62 AD.
Author: Traditionally attributed to Luke, the companion of Paul, though some scholars suggest other possible authors.
Location: Written from Rome, likely during Paul's imprisonment.
Genre: Epistle (letter), characterized by its theological depth and pastoral concern.

Historical background

Peter's bold declaration before the Sanhedrin highlights the direct confrontation between the nascent Christian movement and the established Jewish leadership. The leaders' fear of the crowd, rather than any belief in Peter's message, ultimately leads to his release, setting the stage for continued persecution and the spread of the gospel.

c. AD 30
Crucifixion of Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth is crucified in Jerusalem under the Roman governor Pontius Pilate, following a decision by the Jewish religious leaders.
c. AD 30
Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus
According to Christian belief, Jesus is raised from the dead and later ascends to heaven.
c. AD 30
Healing of the Lame Man
A man lame from birth is miraculously healed by Peter and John at the temple gate in Jerusalem, attracting a large crowd.
c. AD 30
Arrest of Peter and John
Peter and John are arrested by the temple authorities and the Sadducees due to their preaching about Jesus and the resurrection.
c. AD 30

Key themes

01Jesus' resurrected power
02Bold witness to truth
03God's vindication of Christ
04Healing through Christ's name

Cross-references

Acts 3:6

This passage shows Peter performing a similar miracle, healing a lame man by invoking the name of Jesus, highlighting the consistent power and authority attributed to Jesus' name.

Luke 24:47

This verse directly links repentance and forgiveness of sins to the proclamation of Jesus' name, mirroring Peter's bold declaration of Jesus' power to heal and save.

Philippians 2:9-11

This passage speaks of Jesus' exaltation by God and the confession of His name by all creation, providing a theological backdrop to Peter's assertion that Jesus' name holds ultimate authority, even over death.

1 Corinthians 1:23-24

This verse contrasts the world's view of a crucified Christ with the reality of His power and wisdom as the message of God, directly paralleling Peter's proclamation of the crucified and resurrected Jesus as the source of healing.

Scholarly commentary

Acts 4:10: "Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole."

Be it known ... - Peter might have evaded the question, or he might have resorted to many excuses and subterfuges (Calvin), if he had been desirous of avoiding this inquiry. But it was a noble opportunity for vindicating the honor of his Lord and Master. It was a noble opport…
barnes

Acts 4:10: "Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole."

By the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth - This was a very bold declaration in the presence of such an assembly; but he felt he stood on good ground. The cure of the lame man the day before was notorious; his long infirmity was well known; his person could be easily identified…
clarke

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What Acts 4:10 means

Original language

ChristΧριστός (from Hebrew Mashiach)

Christos · Greek/Hebrew Noun/Title

crucifiedσταυρόω

stauroō · Greek Verb

raisedἐγείρω

egeirō · Greek Verb

Historical background

c. AD 30

Crucifixion of Jesus

Jesus of Nazareth is crucified in Jerusalem under the Roman governor Pontius Pilate, following a decision by the Jewish religious leaders.

c. AD 30

Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus

According to Christian belief, Jesus is raised from the dead and later ascends to heaven.

c. AD 30

Healing of the Lame Man

A man lame from birth is miraculously healed by Peter and John at the temple gate in Jerusalem, attracting a large crowd.

c. AD 30

Arrest of Peter and John

Peter and John are arrested by the temple authorities and the Sadducees due to their preaching about Jesus and the resurrection.

c. AD 30

Scholarly commentary

Acts 4:10: "Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole."

Be it known ... - Peter might have evaded the question, or he might have resorted to many excuses and subterfuges (Calvin), if he had been desirous of avoiding this inquiry. But it was a noble opportunity for vindicating the honor of his Lord and Master. It was a noble opport…
barnes

Acts 4:10: "Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole."

By the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth - This was a very bold declaration in the presence of such an assembly; but he felt he stood on good ground. The cure of the lame man the day before was notorious; his long infirmity was well known; his person could be easily identified…
clarke

Frequently asked questions

What does Acts 4:10 mean?

Explain the meaning of Acts 4:10

What is the context of Acts 4:10?

Ask Sola about this verse

Ask Sola things like:

“What does "Christ" mean in the original Greek/Hebrew?”
“Why did Traditionally attributed to Luke, the companion of Paul, though some scholars suggest other possible authors. write Acts 4:10?”
“How does jesus' resurrected power show up in Acts 4:10?”

Ask in the Sola app Get the app

Live chat about Acts 4:10 is available in the Sola app.