Acts 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.
Original Language Analysis
Θεωροῦντες
when they saw
G2334
Θεωροῦντες
when they saw
Strong's:
G2334
Word #:
1 of 25
to be a spectator of, i.e., discern, (literally, figuratively (experience) or intensively (acknowledge))
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Πέτρου
of Peter
G4074
Πέτρου
of Peter
Strong's:
G4074
Word #:
5 of 25
a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle
παῤῥησίαν
the boldness
G3954
παῤῥησίαν
the boldness
Strong's:
G3954
Word #:
6 of 25
all out-spokenness, i.e., frankness, bluntness, publicity; by implication, assurance
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καταλαβόμενοι
perceived
G2638
καταλαβόμενοι
perceived
Strong's:
G2638
Word #:
10 of 25
to take eagerly, i.e., seize, possess, etc. (literally or figuratively)
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
11 of 25
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἰδιῶται
ignorant
G2399
ἰδιῶται
ignorant
Strong's:
G2399
Word #:
16 of 25
a private person, i.e., (by implication) an ignoramus (compare "idiot")
ἐπεγίνωσκόν
they took knowledge
G1921
ἐπεγίνωσκόν
they took knowledge
Strong's:
G1921
Word #:
18 of 25
to know upon some mark, i.e., recognize; by implication, to become fully acquainted with, to acknowledge
αὐτοὺς
of them
G846
αὐτοὺς
of them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
20 of 25
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
21 of 25
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
σὺν
with
G4862
σὺν
with
Strong's:
G4862
Word #:
22 of 25
with or together (but much closer than g3326 or g3844), i.e., by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, additi
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
23 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
1 Corinthians 1:27But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;John 7:15And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?Matthew 11:25At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.Matthew 26:73And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.
Historical Context
Peter and John stood before the Sanhedrin circa AD 30-33, shortly after healing the lame man at the Temple gate (Acts 3). The council included chief priests, Sadducees, and scribes - the same body that condemned Jesus. These religious leaders possessed extensive training in Torah and tradition, making the apostles' effective testimony even more striking.
Questions for Reflection
- What does this passage teach about the relationship between formal education and spiritual effectiveness?
- How might spending time with Jesus produce a boldness in your witness that overcomes fear of human authority?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The Greek word for 'boldness' (parrēsia) denotes confident, fearless speech - remarkable for fishermen facing the Jewish ruling council. The Sanhedrin recognized these men as 'agrammatos kai idiōtai' (unlearned and ordinary), yet their transformation was undeniable. The phrase 'they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus' reveals the true source of apostolic authority: intimate companionship with Christ, not formal rabbinic training. This demonstrates how the Holy Spirit equips the ordinary to accomplish the extraordinary, echoing Paul's teaching that God chooses the weak to confound the wise (1 Corinthians 1:27).