Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The council was astonished not just by Peter and John's confident speech, but by the contrast between their bold words and their recognized status as common, uneducated men. This stark difference made them realize that the disciples' power and conviction could only stem from a direct connection with Jesus Himself.
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter and John have just healed a man in Jesus' name, causing a stir and attracting the attention of the religious leaders. The leaders, who are already uneasy about the growing following of Jesus, bring Peter and John before the Sanhedrin to interrogate them. This council, consisting of elders, scribes, and high priests, wants to know by what power or name they performed such a miracle.
The religious leaders were stunned. The men speaking with such confidence and clarity weren't trained scholars. So, where did this boldness come from?
The Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish court, was accustomed to educated, eloquent speakers. Peter and John, described as 'unlearned' and 'ignorant' (or 'common men'), possessed none of these credentials. The Greek words used highlight their lack of formal rabbinic training and their ordinary, private lives as fishermen. Yet, they spoke with incredible 'boldness' (parrhesia), meaning freedom, openness, and confidence. This wasn't mere defiance; it was a powerful conviction that couldn't be silenced by intimidation. Their boldness was so striking precisely because it defied expectations based on their background.
The leaders couldn't deny the miracle or the apostles' powerful words. The explanation that struck them? They had been with Jesus.
The astonishment of the council quickly turned into recognition. The text says they 'recognized' (epiginōskō) that Peter and John 'had been with Jesus.' This wasn't just a fleeting thought; it was a dawning realization. They had seen Jesus, heard him teach, and witnessed his interactions. Now, seeing the same confidence, the same unshakeable conviction, and the same miraculous power displayed through his followers, they understood the source. Peter and John carried the unmistakable imprint of their time with Jesus. Their boldness wasn't just personal; it was a reflection of their Master's authority and teaching.
Understand the original words
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parrēsian · Greek Noun
A state of fearlessness, confidence, and openness in speech, often resulting from the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, allowing believers to testify to the Gospel despite opposition.
agrammatoi eisin kai idiōtai · Greek Adjective phrase
Refers to individuals who lacked formal, advanced religious or rabbinical schooling, highlighting that the power of the Apostles' witness came from God rather than human education.
The astonishment of the Sanhedrin highlights the stark contrast between worldly status and divine empowerment. Their recognition that Peter and John had been with Jesus underscores that true authority and conviction are not derived from education or social standing, but from a genuine encounter with Christ.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
The central events of Christianity, Jesus' death and subsequent resurrection, occur. This event is the foundation for the disciples' message and the source of their spiritual boldness.
c. AD 30
The Day of Pentecost
The Holy Spirit descends upon the disciples, empowering them to speak in other tongues and boldly proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. This event immediately precedes the healing of the lame man.
c. AD 30— this verse
Healing of the Lame Man
Peter and John, empowered by the Holy Spirit, heal a man lame from birth at the temple gate. This miraculous act draws a large crowd and brings them to the attention of the religious authorities.
c. AD 30
Arrest and Trial of Peter and John
Peter and John are arrested by the temple guard and brought before the Sanhedrin (the Jewish ruling council) for questioning about the healing miracle and their preaching.
c. AD 30
Sanhedrin's Astonishment
The Sanhedrin, hearing Peter and John speak with such boldness and authority, are astonished because they recognize them as ordinary, uneducated men. They realize this boldness can only come from having been with Jesus.
This passage echoes the astonishment of the religious leaders, highlighting that God chooses the 'foolish' and 'weak' things of the world to shame the wise and strong, much like Peter and John's unlearned boldness confounded the Sanhedrin.
Matthew 11:25Jesus gives thanks to the Father for revealing spiritual truths to 'infants' rather than the wise and understanding, paralleling how the leaders failed to grasp the disciples' message despite their lack of formal training.
This passage provides a potential eyewitness account from within the high priest's courtyard where Peter, despite his denial, was recognized as a follower of Jesus, suggesting the leaders might have already had some familiarity with the disciples.
Jesus rebukes Peter for his unspiritual thinking, demonstrating that even his closest followers could misunderstand Him. This contrasts with the boldness Peter shows here, which is attributed to his later empowerment by the Holy Spirit after being with Jesus.
barnesActs 4:13: "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus."
Boldness - This word properly denotes "openness" or "confidence in speaking." It stands opposed to "hesitancy," and to "equivocation" in declaring our sentiments. Here it means that, in spite of danger and opposition, they avowed their doctrines without any attempt to conceal or disguise them. Pete…
vincentActs 4:13: "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus."
BoldnessSee on freely, Acts 2:29.Perceived (καταλαβόμενοι)The word, meaning originally to seize upon or lay hold of, occurs frequently in the New Testament in different phases of this original sense. Thus, to apprehend or grasp, Ephesians 3:18; Philippians 3:12, Philippians 3:13; Romans 9:30 : of…
The council was astonished not just by Peter and John's confident speech, but by the contrast between their bold words and their recognized status as common, uneducated men. This stark difference made them realize that the disciples' power and conviction could only stem from a direct connection with Jesus Himself.
Peter and John have just healed a man in Jesus' name, causing a stir and attracting the attention of the religious leaders. The leaders, who are already uneasy about the growing following of Jesus, bring Peter and John before the Sanhedrin to interrogate them. This council, consisting of elders, scribes, and high priests, wants to know by what power or name they performed such a miracle.
Peter and John have just healed a man in Jesus' name, causing a stir and attracting the attention of the religious leaders. The leaders, who are already uneasy about the growing following of Jesus, bring Peter and John before the Sanhedrin to interrogate them. This council, consisting of elders, scribes, and high priests, wants to know by what power or name they performed such a miracle.
"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus." — The council was astonished not just by Peter and John's confident speech, but by the contrast between their bold words and their recognized status as common, uneducated men. This stark difference m…
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Last reviewed October 2026