Peter’s Speech (Acts 3:11-26)

As he clung to Peter and John, all the people hurried in amazement toward them in the portico called “Solomon’s Portico.”  12 When Peter saw this, he addressed the people, “You Israelites, why are you amazed at this, and why do you look so intently at us as if we had made him walk by our own power or piety?  13 The God of Abraham, [the God] of Isaac, and [the God] of Jacob, the God of our ancestors, has glorified his servant Jesus whom you handed over and denied in Pilate’s presence, when he had decided to release him.  14 You denied the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you.  15 The author of life you put to death, but God raised him from the dead; of this we are witnesses.  16 And by faith in his name, this man, whom you see and know, his name has made strong, and the faith that comes through it has given him this perfect health, in the presence of all of you. 17 Now I know, brothers, that you acted out of ignorance, just as your leaders did; 18 but God has thus brought to fulfillment what he had announced beforehand through the mouth of all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer.  19 Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away, 20 and that the Lord may grant you times of refreshment and send you the Messiah already appointed for you, Jesus, 21 whom heaven must receive until the times of universal restoration of which God spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old.  22 For Moses said: ‘A prophet like me will the Lord, your God, raise up for you from among your own kinsmen; to him you shall listen in all that he may say to you.  23 Everyone who does not listen to that prophet will be cut off from the people.’  24 Moreover, all the prophets who spoke, from Samuel and those afterwards, also announced these days.  25 You are the children of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your ancestors when he said to Abraham, ‘In your offspring all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’  26 For you first, God raised up his servant and sent him to bless you by turning each of you from your evil ways.”

As the astonished crowd gathered around, Peter seized the opportunity to address the predominately Israelite audience.  Peter directed their attention to the true source of the healing power, Jesus Christ.  Drawing from Jewish tradition, Peter invoked the God of their ancestors, including the revered patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Ex. 3:6).  Peter confronted the crowd with their complicity in the death of the sinless and holy Son of God (Lk. 1:35), the author of life, whom they rejected in favor of releasing a murderer (Mt. 27:20-22).  

Despite their rejection of Jesus, God glorified his servant through Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection, as foretold in the scriptures (Isaiah 52:13-53:12).  God’s action led to life for humanity; humanity’s action led to the death of the author of life.  Peter’s intention was not to condemn the Jewish people but to offer them an opportunity to repent and be converted.  Through Jesus’ sacrificial death, God reconciled humanity to himself and provided a pathway to eternal salvation for all who confess and believe in His son (Rom, 10:9).  The miraculous healing of the lame man was a result of faith in the name of Jesus Christ.  

Peter acknowledged the ignorance of the crowd and their leaders regarding their role in Jesus’ crucifixion, suggesting the potential for repentance and reconciliation through faith.  Jesus’ words from the cross lend support to such an argument (Lk. 23:34).  However, Peter also emphasized their personal responsibility as the prophets had revealed God’s plan through the scriptures, which were regularly read to them every Sabbath in the Temple (Acts 13:27-28).  Despite this, Peter offered them hope for repentance and conversion, leading to the reception of the gift of the Holy Spirit, which would bring refreshment and renewal.  

Peter also spoke about the future mission of Christ, the Messiah foretold by the prophets, whom God appointed for the people.  Jesus must be exalted and enthroned at the right hand of God (Acts 2:33) until the ultimate fulfillment of God's plan for redemption and reconciliation, wherein all creation will be restored to its original state of harmony and perfection.  

Peter referenced a prophecy from the Old Testament, affirming that Jesus fulfills Messianic expectations.  He mentioned Moses’ prophecy concerning a future prophet whom God would raise up from among the Israelites, graced with authority to speak on behalf of God (Deut. 18:15-16). Peter warned that those who reject the prophet or refuse to listen to the message of salvation through Jesus Christ risk exclusion from the community of believers (Lev. 23:29).  

Peter underscored the continuity of God's plan of salvation throughout Israel's history by pointing out that the prophets, including Samuel and others, foretold the events surrounding Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.  Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophecies.  He also reminded the crowd of their heritage as descendants of the prophets and heirs to God’s covenant promises, including God’s pledge to bless all the families of the earth through Abraham's offspring (Gen. 12:3).  Peter concluded by emphasizing that God sent Jesus, his servant, to the Jews first, offering them the opportunity to repent of their sins and receive salvation.  

Almighty God, help us to turn to You through our Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, and repent of our sins.  Grant us the grace to listen to Jesus’ Word and follow his teachings so that we may experience the fullness of salvation and be renewed by the Holy Spirit.  This we pray through Christ our Lord.  Amen!  

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References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.

                Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.