What did the Jewish leaders perceive about Peter and John in Acts 4:13?
In Acts 4:13, the Jewish leaders and Sadducees observed the boldness of Peter and John and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, lacking formal education or scholarly credentials. Scripture presents these apostles as ordinary men whom God nevertheless used powerfully, demonstrating that divine enablement, not academic degrees, qualified them to preach and teach the Word.
Les explains that when the Jewish leaders and Sadducees saw the boldness of Peter and John, they perceived them as unlearned and ignorant men—men without a long list of degrees or academic credentials. He applies this personally, noting he too is unlearned and ignorant and does not apologize for it, because God used these men anyway. He compares them to Amos and David, who came off the ranch, and argues that if God used them, He can use him and his listeners. Les also says Christianity lost its power when congregations required a doctorate for the pulpit, though he is not against education; making academic qualification the sole criterion is out in left field. These were uneducated, ignorant men from the intellectual point of view, yet God used them.
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
More Questions
Why did the religious leaders recognize that Peter and John had been with Jesus?
The religious leaders recognized that Peter and John had been with Jesus because the only thing the apostles had was the presence of Christ for three years.
In Acts 4:13, what did it mean that Peter and John were unlearned and ignorant men?
When the religious leaders called Peter and John 'unlearned and ignorant' in Acts 4:13, it meant they had not been taught by the rabbis and had not been to seminary; the only thing they had was the presence of Christ for three years.
What does Acts 4:13 mean when it calls Peter and John unlearned and ignorant?
The religious leaders saw Peter and John as unlearned and ignorant because they had not been trained by rabbis or in a seminary; their only education was the three years spent with Jesus, yet that made them recognizable as having been with Jesus.