Peter and John were considered unlearned and ignorant because they lacked formal rabbinic training and seminary education, but their time with Jesus was more valuable than any formal schooling.
The religious leaders perceived Peter and John as uneducated because they had not been trained in the rabbinic schools or seminaries that the leaders respected. However, as Les Feldick points out, their three years with Jesus was better than fifteen years in a seminary. The leaders were astonished at their boldness, recognizing that they had been with Jesus, and they could not deny the notable miracle of the healed man standing before them.
Acts 4:13 — This verse directly states that the leaders perceived Peter and John as unlearned and ignorant, yet they took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus.
In Acts 4, after Peter and John healed the lame man and preached boldly, the religious leaders, including priests and Sadducees, gathered them before the council. The scripture records: "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." (Acts 4:13). This indicates that the leaders judged them based on their lack of formal education, but also recognized their association with Jesus. Furthermore, the Bible notes that the healed man, who was over forty years old, stood with them, providing undeniable evidence of the miracle. The leaders could not deny it, saying, "a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem" (Acts 4:16).
Les Feldick teaches that Peter and John were indeed unlearned and ignorant in the eyes of the religious establishment because they had not received formal rabbinic training. He personally identifies with them, stating, "That's me. I'm unlearned and I'm ignorant, and I'm not apologizing for one bit." He emphasizes that God uses such people, and until we recognize our own inadequacy, He cannot use us. Les highlights that their three years with Jesus was better than fifteen years in a seminary or university, and the leaders recognized this. He also notes that the leaders were up against the undeniable miracle of the healed man, which they could not refute.
The religious leaders expected formal training from rabbis and seminary-like institutions. Les Feldick contrasts this with the disciples' experience: "They'd been with Jesus. That three years was better than 15 years in a seminary. That was better than 15 years in the University of Jerusalem." (Clip 1). The leaders' perception of being 'unlearned and ignorant' was based on this lack of formal credentials.
The leaders could not deny the miracle because it was publicly known throughout Jerusalem. Acts 4:16 records their admission: "a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it." They then conferred among themselves about what to do with Peter and John, threatening them to stop the spread of the message. Les points out that they were 'up against it' because the healed man stood before them in complete health.
Acts 4 Explained: The Only Name That Can Save You
numbers, and he was convinced that his was the only group that had salvation. And I said, now wait a minute, Jimmy. I said, I've got a Scripture verse that proves you wrong. And he looked at me and said, show me. So I went in the house, and we had a lot of discussions back in those years, and that goes back a long ways too.
Three Years with Jesus Better Than Seminary
Les explains that Peter and John's lack of formal education was compensated by their three years with Jesus, which was superior to any seminary training. He also notes that the leaders marveled and recognized this.
Leaders' Dilemma Over the Miracle
Les describes how the religious leaders, unable to deny the healing, threatened Peter and John, but the people glorified God, and they found no way to punish them.
Why Did Jesus Never Heal the Lame Man at the Temple?
He walked and leaped and praising God, and all the people saw Him walking and praising God. And they knew, His fellow Jews, they knew that it was He who sat for alms at the beautiful gate of the temple. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto Him.
Les Identifies with Their Ignorance
Les personally identifies with Peter and John's lack of formal credentials, saying he is unlearned and ignorant and not apologizing for it. He emphasizes that God uses such people.
Question by What Name
Les shows that the leaders asked 'by what name' the miracle was done, indicating their focus on authority and power, and Peter's response was filled with the Holy Spirit.
All Jewish Leaders
Les points out that the council was entirely Jewish, including high priests and kindred, and they asked about the power and name behind the healing.
What Peter Really Preached in Acts 3 — Israel's Call to Repent
Again, we're going to get right back into the book, Acts chapter 3, because these moments fly so fast. And here we have Peter and John healing the lame man as they go up to the temple to pray. And they raised him by the power of the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, in verse 6. And immediately, verse 8, he leaps, stands, walks, entered with them into the temple, leaping and praising God.
Acts 4:13: 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.
This verse is the direct answer to why the leaders considered them uneducated, and it highlights the contrast with their association with Jesus.
Acts 4:14: And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
The presence of the healed man silenced the leaders, preventing them from refuting the miracle.
Acts 4:16: Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.
The leaders acknowledged the miracle's publicity and their inability to deny it.
The religious leaders used these terms because Peter and John had not received formal rabbinic education or seminary training. However, the leaders marveled at their boldness and recognized they had been with Jesus, which was more significant than formal credentials.
Les Feldick personally identifies with being unlearned and ignorant, not apologizing for it. He emphasizes that God uses such people, and our time with Jesus is more valuable than any formal education.
Watch the Teaching: Acts 4 Explained: The Only Name That Can Save You