Acts 3:13 (KJV)

What does Acts 3:13 mean?

Acts 3:13 says that the God worshiped by Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the God of the Jewish ancestors—honored Jesus by raising Him up, even though the people handed Jesus over and rejected Him before Pilate, who wanted to release Him. The verse highlights both God’s action in glorifying Jesus and the people’s choice to deny Him.

Peter is speaking to a crowd at the temple in Jerusalem after healing a man who could not walk. He connects Jesus to the God of their ancestors, making it clear that Jesus is not a stranger to their faith. Peter also points out that, despite Pilate’s willingness to let Jesus go, the people chose to reject Jesus, emphasizing their responsibility in what happened.

The Greek behind Acts 3:13

• θεός (theos, G2316): This word means "God." Peter repeats it to stress that the same God the Jewish people have always worshiped is the one acting through Jesus.
• ἐδόξασεν (edoxasen, G1392): This word means "glorified" or "honored." It suggests that God lifted up Jesus’ reputation and status, especially after His suffering.
• παιδός (paidos, G3816): Often translated "servant" or "child," here it refers to Jesus as God’s chosen servant, echoing language from Isaiah about the suffering servant.
• παρεδώκατε (paredōkate, G3860): This means "delivered up" or "handed over." It highlights the active role the people played in Jesus’ arrest.
• ἠρνήσασθε (ērnēsasthe, G720): This means "denied" or "rejected." It shows a strong turning away from Jesus, not just a passive mistake.

Why Acts 3:13 matters

• Acts 3:13 clarifies that Jesus’ story is rooted in the same God and promises as the Jewish faith, not a new or foreign idea.
• The verse makes clear that the people’s rejection of Jesus was not forced by Pilate or outsiders; it was a conscious choice, even when Pilate wanted to release Him.
• By calling Jesus "God’s servant," Peter connects Jesus to Old Testament prophecies, helping listeners see continuity between their Scriptures and Jesus’ life.