Peter's message was a direct accusation that the Jews had crucified their Messiah, Jesus, and a declaration that God had made Him both Lord and Christ.
Peter addressed the assembled Jewish crowd on Pentecost, telling the whole house of Israel that they had killed their Messiah. He charged them with delivering up and denying Jesus, and with killing the Prince of life. The message was a plain declaration of their guilt.
Acts 2:36 — This is the core proclamation that God has made the crucified Jesus both Lord and Christ.
On the day of Pentecost, Peter stood with the eleven and addressed the Jewish crowd that had gathered from every nation. He declared that Jesus of Nazareth was a man approved of God by miracles and wonders, but that they, by wicked hands, had crucified and slain Him. He then proclaimed that God had raised Him from the dead, and that David had spoken prophetically of this. Peter concluded: 'Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.' When they heard this, they were pricked in their heart and asked, 'Men and brethren, what shall we do?'
Les emphasizes that Peter's message was exclusively to the nation of Israel, not to Gentiles or to the Church. Peter was still on covenant ground, addressing the people who had rejected their Messiah. Les points out that Peter directly accused them of killing their Messiah, even though the Romans carried out the execution—they demanded it. This was a message of guilt and conviction, not a message of God's love for all. The Jews' response, 'What shall we do?' shows their conviction and the direct impact of Peter's words.
Peter addressed a huge crowd of Jews who had gathered from all over the Roman Empire for the Feast of Pentecost. He specifically said 'let all the house of Israel know'—meaning the entire nation, not just Judah. This was a Jewish-only audience.
Peter's core accusation was that the Jews had killed their Messiah. He said 'you have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain' Jesus. He accused them of denying the Holy One and the Just One, and of killing the Prince of life. This was a direct charge, not a general statement.
The Jews were pricked in their heart when they heard that they had crucified their Messiah. They asked Peter and the apostles, 'What shall we do?' This show conviction and a desire to know what to do about their guilt.
Peter's message was on covenant ground, addressing only the nation of Israel. He did not include Gentiles. He was continuing the Old Testament frame of reference that Christ came to Israel to fulfill the covenants. He even says 'ye men of Israel' and 'the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob'—exclusively Jewish.
Peter says 'You killed him'—a direct accusation. Paul, in contrast, declares that 'God loved us and gave Himself for us' and that 'He died for our sins.' Peter's message focuses on the Jew's guilt; Paul's focuses on God's love and salvation for all.
Why Has Israel Suffered So Much? The Bible's Answer
Now verse 12, you see Paul I think wrote Hebrews, now he's departing from the actual text, and he's commenting on it. So he says, "...take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of immorality," an evil heart of any other sin you can name, but an evil heart of what? Unbelief, see unbelief, "...in departing from the living God.
Peter Addresses All Israel
Les shows that Peter told 'all the house of Israel' they had killed their Messiah, and the Jews responded by asking what to do.
Peter's Jewish-Only Address
Les points out Peter's message is so Jewish-only, citing 'God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob' and that Peter said 'You killed the Prince of life'—a direct accusation.
Accusation of the Nation
Les emphasizes that Peter puts the blame for the crucifixion on Israel, saying 'that same Jesus, whom you have crucified' is made Lord and Christ.
Accusing Israel of Killing Messiah
Les explains that Peter addresses only Israel, accusing them of having killed their Messiah even though they used Roman hands.
Laying Blame on the Jewish Nation
Les clarifies that Peter repeatedly lays blame on the Jewish nation for the crucifixion, though the whole human race is also guilty.
Messiah Crucified and Conviction
Les shows that Peter claimed Israel crucified their Messiah, and the large Pentecost crowd was pricked in their hearts, asking 'what shall we do?'
Peter's Continued Covenantal Frame
Les places Peter's Pentecost message within the context of fulfilling Old Testament promises to Israel, making his claim on the nation after Christ's resurrection.
Acts 2:22-23: Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
This verse directly states Peter's accusation that they killed Jesus, fulfilling God's plan.
Acts 2:36: Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
This is the climactic declaration that the crucified Jesus is Lord and Messiah.
Acts 2:37: Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
This shows the Jews' convicted response to Peter's message.
Acts 3:13-15: 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. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
This shows Peter's consistent accusation that Israel killed their Messiah.
Yes, Peter addressed only the nation of Israel. He said 'let all the house of Israel know' and used phrases like 'ye men of Israel.' He was not speaking to Gentiles.
Peter's main point was to accuse Israel of crucifying their Messiah and to declare that God had made that same Jesus both Lord and Christ.
They were pricked in their hearts and asked Peter and the apostles what they should do.
Watch the Teaching: Why Has Israel Suffered So Much? The Bible's Answer