Acts 3:15 (KJV)

What does Acts 3:15 mean?

Acts 3:15 says that the people killed Jesus, who is called the "Prince of life," but God raised him from the dead, and the speakers are witnesses to this event. The verse highlights both the wrongdoing of killing Jesus and the power of God in raising him, with the apostles claiming firsthand knowledge of these events.

Peter is speaking to a crowd in Jerusalem after healing a man who could not walk. He boldly tells them that, although they rejected and killed Jesus, God reversed that outcome by bringing Jesus back to life. Peter and the other apostles are not just repeating a story—they are saying they saw these things themselves.

The Greek behind Acts 3:15

• "Prince" (ἀρχηγός, archēgos): This word can mean leader, originator, or founder. Calling Jesus the "Prince of life" suggests he is both the source and leader of true life, not just a good teacher or prophet.
• "Life" (ζωή, zōē): This Greek word often refers to life in its fullest sense, not just physical existence. Here, it points to a kind of life that comes from God.
• "Witnesses" (μάρτυρες, martyres): This word means those who testify from personal experience. Peter is stressing that he and the others are not passing on rumors—they saw Jesus alive after his death.

Why Acts 3:15 matters

• Acts 3:15 makes it clear that the apostles' message is based on their own experience, not secondhand reports, which adds weight to their testimony.
• The verse draws a sharp contrast between human actions (killing Jesus) and God's actions (raising him), showing that God's purpose cannot be stopped by human wrongdoing.
• By calling Jesus the "Prince of life," Peter points to Jesus as the source of real, lasting life, connecting this moment to the larger message of hope and new beginnings found throughout Acts.