Devine Scripture

Acts 3:14

What does Acts 3:14 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 3:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 3:14 means

Peter further intensified his accusation, stating that they had denied Jesus, whom he identified as the "Holy and Righteous One," a title emphasizing Jesus' sinless perfection and divine nature. In stark contrast, they had requested the release of a murderer instead. This highlights the profound spiritual blindness and moral perversion of their choice, emphasizing the gravity of their rejection of God's Anointed.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But ye denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted unto you,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But ye denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted unto you,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But you would have nothing to do with the Holy and Upright One, and made request for a man of blood to be given to you,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and ye the Holy and Righteous One did deny, and desired a man--a murderer--to be granted to you,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But you denied the Holy One and the Just: and desired a murderer to be granted unto you.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But ye denied the holy and righteous one, and asked that a man [that was] a murderer should be granted to you;

Context

Building on the previous verse's accusation, Peter here amplifies the moral weight of their actions. By contrasting Jesus' holiness with their preference for a murderer, he deepens the impact of their guilt. This serves to impress upon the audience the seriousness of their rejection of Christ, further preparing them for the call to repentance that will follow, showing the full extent of their error.

v.13The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Servant Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied before the face of Pilate, when he had determined to release him.

v.14This passage

v.15and killed the Prince of life; whom God raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:21

    Him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; that we might become the righteousness of God in him.

  • Acts 2:27

    Because thou wilt not leave my soul unto Hades, Neither wilt thou give thy Holy One to see corruption.

  • Acts 7:52

    Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute? and they killed them that showed before of the coming of the Righteous One; of whom ye have now become betrayers and murderers;

  • 1 John 2:1

    My little children, these things write I unto you that ye may not sin. And if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

  • James 5:6

    Ye have condemned, ye have killed the righteous one; he doth not resist you.

  • Luke 23:25

    And he released him that for insurrection and murder had been cast into prison, whom they asked for; but Jesus he delivered up to their will.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Acts 3

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Acts 3.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Acts 3:14.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary