What was the driving force behind the Jewish people's actions in Acts 3?
The driving force was their ancestral heritage and covenant identity as the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Peter's reference to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in Acts 3:13 shows that their heritage going back to the fathers was the very engine of everything they were doing.
Les explains that the Jewish people's actions in Acts 3 were driven by their deep heritage and covenant identity. After Peter healed the lame man and the crowd marveled, Peter asked why they looked on him as though by his own power or holiness he made the man walk. Then in Acts 3:13 Peter declared, "The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers." Les says this was the very engine of everything they were doing—their heritage reaching back to Abraham, the father of the human race, and the covenant men Isaac and Jacob. That heritage meant everything to a Jew. So the driving force was their ancestral connection to the God of the fathers, not human power.
The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.
More Questions
What does 'the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob' tell us about the apostles in Acts 3?
In Acts 3, Peter's reference to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob shows that their heritage going back to Abraham and the covenant men Isaac and Jacob was the engine of everything the apostles were doing.
What did Peter say the nation of Israel did to Jesus in Acts 3?
Peter in Acts 3 pointed the finger at the nation of Israel and accused them, saying, 'You delivered up and denied Jesus when Pilate was determined to let Him go.'
What does Peter accuse the nation of Israel of doing to Jesus in Acts 3?
Peter accuses the nation of Israel of delivering up Jesus and denying Him in the presence of Pilate, even though Pilate was determined to let Him go.
Did Peter blame only the Jews for Jesus' death in Acts 3?
In Acts 3 Peter blames Israel for delivering up Jesus, but he does not thereby imply that only Jews killed Jesus; the Jews precipitated and demanded the crucifixion while Rome carried it out, in keeping with Psalm 2's forecast that Jews and Gentiles together would reject and put Him to death.