Acts 4:13 – “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.”

Extended Explanation

This verse describes the reaction of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council, as they observed Peter and John. These were the same religious leaders who had condemned Jesus to death. Now, they were witnessing His followers boldly proclaiming His name.

The leaders were shocked by the confidence of Peter and John. Why? Because these two men were “unschooled, ordinary men.” They were fishermen, not trained religious scholars. They had no formal education in Jewish law. Yet, they spoke with wisdom and authority that could not be ignored.

The key phrase in this verse is “they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” The Sanhedrin saw something different in Peter and John. Their boldness and wisdom could only be explained by their time spent with Jesus.

This verse highlights a powerful truth: being with Jesus changes people. Peter, who once denied Jesus out of fear, was now boldly proclaiming His name in front of the most powerful religious leaders in Jerusalem.

Historical Context

The Sanhedrin was a group of 70 religious leaders, including Pharisees, Sadducees, and scribes, led by the high priest. They were highly educated in the Jewish Scriptures and traditions and saw themselves as the final authority on religious matters.

In Jewish culture, formal education was highly valued, especially for religious teachers. The best scholars were trained under respected rabbis. Peter and John had no such training. They were working-class fishermen from Galilee, a region often looked down upon by the religious elite in Jerusalem.

Despite this, Peter and John spoke with boldness and wisdom, something the religious leaders could not explain. The only logical conclusion was that their time with Jesus had transformed them.

Theological Implications

1. God uses ordinary people to accomplish His work. The Sanhedrin expected spiritual authority to come from scholars and religious leaders, but God chose fishermen to spread His message. This shows that God does not depend on human credentials—He equips those He calls.
2. Boldness comes from the Holy Spirit, not human ability. Peter and John did not gain their boldness from training or education. It came from being filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:8).
3. Being with Jesus transforms lives. The religious leaders noticed something different about Peter and John. Their confidence, wisdom, and courage all pointed to the influence of Jesus. True discipleship is not about knowledge alone—it is about a personal relationship with Christ.
4. God’s wisdom is greater than human wisdom. The Sanhedrin prided themselves on their education, yet they were left speechless by these “ordinary” men. This reflects 1 Corinthians 1:27, which says, “God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise.”

Literary Analysis

Luke, the author of Acts, writes this verse in a way that highlights the contrast between Peter and John and the religious leaders.

• “They saw the courage” – The Sanhedrin expected fear, but they saw confidence.
• “Unschooled, ordinary men” – These were not trained scholars, yet they spoke with authority.
• “They were astonished” – The religious leaders were completely unprepared for this.
• “They took note that these men had been with Jesus” – This is the explanation for everything.

This verse is structured to show that God’s power works through weakness. What amazed the Sanhedrin was not Peter and John’s abilities but the evidence of Jesus in their lives.

Biblical Cross-References

• Matthew 4:18-19 – Jesus called Peter and John while they were fishing, saying, “Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people.”
• Luke 21:15 – Jesus promised His disciples, “I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.”
• 1 Corinthians 1:27 – “God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise.”
• Acts 4:8 – “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them…” This verse shows where Peter’s boldness came from.
• John 15:5 – “Apart from me you can do nothing.” Peter and John’s effectiveness came from their connection to Jesus.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

This verse reminds us that God can use anyone. You do not have to be highly educated or have a special background to be used by God. What matters is whether you have been with Jesus.

It also challenges us to ask: Do people recognize that we have been with Jesus? The religious leaders could see the evidence in Peter and John. Does our life reflect Christ’s presence in us?

This verse should also encourage us when we feel inadequate. If God could use ordinary fishermen to stand before religious scholars and proclaim the gospel, He can use us in our everyday lives—at work, at school, and in our relationships.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is seen in how He chooses the weak and ordinary to carry out His plans. He does not require status, education, or perfection—He simply desires hearts that are willing to follow Him.

God also equips those He calls. He did not leave Peter and John to face the Sanhedrin alone. He gave them His Spirit, wisdom, and boldness. This shows that God does not just call people to do His work—He empowers them to do it.

This verse also reveals God’s patience and grace. Peter was the same man who had once denied Jesus out of fear (Luke 22:54-62). Yet, after spending time with the risen Christ and receiving the Holy Spirit, he became bold and fearless. This shows that God does not give up on us—He transforms us over time.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

This verse is all about the power of being with Jesus. The transformation of Peter and John was not because of their own abilities—it was because of their relationship with Christ.

It also fulfills Jesus’ promise in John 14:26, where He said the Holy Spirit would teach His disciples and remind them of everything He had said. That is exactly what was happening—Jesus had left, but His power remained in them.

This also connects to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). Jesus sent His disciples into the world, but He did not send them alone. His Spirit went with them, just as it goes with us today.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Do people recognize that you have been with Jesus? How can your life reflect His presence more?
2. How does this verse encourage you when you feel unqualified to share your faith?
3. What does this passage teach us about the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives?
4. How does this verse challenge the world’s view of success and wisdom?
5. In what ways can you be bold in your faith like Peter and John?

This verse is a powerful reminder that boldness, wisdom, and effectiveness in the Christian life come from time spent with Jesus, not from human qualifications. If we stay close to Him, His Spirit will work through us—just as it did with Peter and John.