Acts 4:13-14 13But when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and realized that they were uneducated and common men, they were astonished, and they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition.
Peter had given a simple but powerful defense. What verdict would the ruling council of Jews give? Verse 13 gives a summary of their deliberation and assessment of the evidence of the trial. The observed three qualities about the Peter and John. The most obvious fact is that they were courageous (parrēsian). Few people would be bold enough to stand before the supreme ruling council, speak clearly and with conviction, and also blame them for killing the Messiah.
Even more remarkable was that the Sanhendrin realized that Peter and John were, from their perspective, just uneducated and common men. They were not sophisticated and had not studied under the great rabbis of the time or any of those gathered in the room. Likely, the way they dressed set them apart from the aristocracy and educated class. Their Galilean accent made them sound uneducated and stupid (idiōtai).
The most significant fact of the case was the reason for the first two facts: they had been with Jesus. That explained everything. Peter and John were doing what Jesus did: teaching, healing, and presenting the good news. To be a disciple is to follow the Master. Peter and John had learned to do what Jesus did. They had the greatest teacher of all time. As Luke notes, Peter was also filled with the Holy Spirit (verse 8). The transformation of common Galilean fishermen was unmistakable. The Bible records many stories of how God takes ordinary people and does extraordinary things through them. The core requirements are always faith and obedience.
The other evidence that was irrefutable was that the lame man, whom everyone knew and had seen likely begging for years at the Beautiful Gate, was standing right beside Peter and John. The Jewish leaders could not dispute that a miracle had taken place. The challenge was their theology. They thought Satan can heal, but any other source of healing besides God is only an imitation and not true healing. The Jews needed to evaluate their belief in God’s sovereignty.
For older posts, click here.