How does Acts 3:14 highlight the rejection of Jesus by the people? Setting the Scene Acts 3 finds Peter and John at the temple, where a man lame from birth has just been healed (Acts 3:1-10). A crowd gathers in amazement, and Peter seizes the moment to explain what has happened and who Jesus truly is. Verse 14 is the sharp centerpiece of his address: “You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you.” (Acts 3:14) Key Words that Expose the Rejection • “You disowned” – deliberate repudiation, not mere misunderstanding • “the Holy” – the One uniquely set apart by God (Psalm 16:10; Mark 1:24) • “and Righteous One” – the perfectly just Messiah (Isaiah 53:11; 1 Peter 3:18) • “asked that a murderer be released” – preference for evil over good (Luke 23:18-19) Layers of Rejection Unpacked 1. Moral rejection • Calling the “Holy and Righteous One” guilty while freeing a guilty man (Barabbas) shows an inversion of moral values (Isaiah 5:20). 2. Covenantal rejection • Israel’s leaders break allegiance to the very Messiah promised in Scripture (Psalm 118:22). 3. Personal rejection • The word “disowned” (arneomai) is relational, implying betrayal—much deeper than intellectual disagreement (cf. 2 Timothy 2:12). 4. Public rejection • The demand was voiced before Pilate and the crowd (Matthew 27:20-23), signaling collective complicity. Why Peter’s Charge Is So Stark • Contrasts extremes—Jesus (giver of life) vs. Barabbas (taker of life). • Reminds the audience of their recent, undeniable actions; no one could plead ignorance (Acts 2:22-23). • Frames the necessity of repentance that Peter calls for in the next verses (Acts 3:19). Scripture Echoes • John 1:11 – “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.” • Isaiah 53:3 – “He was despised and rejected by men…” • Psalm 118:22 – “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” • Acts 2:36 – Peter had already declared, “God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Implications for the Crowd—And for Us • Recognition: See the gravity of rejecting God’s appointed Savior. • Responsibility: Understand that rejecting truth is an active choice. • Opportunity: Peter immediately offers repentance and forgiveness (Acts 3:19-20), proving God’s mercy even toward those who once called for Jesus’ death. Summary Snapshot Acts 3:14 spotlights rejection by emphasizing that the people: • Renounced the uniquely holy and righteous Son of God. • Supported the release of a violent criminal instead. • Turned moral and spiritual values upside down. Peter’s indictment is meant to pierce the heart, leading the hearer from conviction to repentance—and ultimately to the embrace of the very One they once disowned. |
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