“let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by this name this man stands here before you in good health.”
Introduction
In Acts 4:10 Peter stands before the Jewish council and declares plainly who has healed the man at their gate: Jesus of Nazareth. He summarizes the central claims of the apostolic proclamation—Jesus is the Nazarene whom the leaders handed over to be crucified, whom God has raised from the dead—and asserts that it is by this very name that the crippled man now stands healed and whole. The verse is a compact testimony that ties Jesus’ suffering, God’s vindication in the resurrection, and the continuing power of his name in the life of the church.
Historical-Cultural Context and Authorship
Acts is traditionally attributed to Luke, a physician and companion of Paul, who wrote both the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles as a two-volume work for Theophilus. Scholars generally place Acts in the late first century (commonly c. 80–90 CE, though some argue for an earlier date). Acts 4 follows the healing of a man lame from birth at the Temple gate called Beautiful (Acts 3) and the resulting amazement and crowds that brought Peter and John before the Jerusalem council (the Sanhedrin). In that setting the apostles face religious authorities who had been complicit—directly or indirectly—in Jesus’ execution. The cultural context includes Jewish expectations about the Messiah, Roman political oversight, and a vivid memory of crucifixion as a death reserved for criminals. Peter’s speech uses these shared realities—crucifixion, resurrection, and the restoration of a disabled man—to press a theological and moral point before his hearers.
Characters and Places
- Jesus Christ the Nazarene: Identified by origin (from Nazareth) and by title (Christ/Messiah). The verse affirms both his crucifixion and his resurrection.
- Peter (speaker) and John (his companion): Apostles who performed the healing and now bear witness.
- The man healed: The visible sign and proof of the apostles’ message—he stands in good health.
- The people of Israel and the Jewish council (Sanhedrin): The audience to whom Peter directs his claim, representing religious leadership and the nation.
- Nazareth and Jerusalem (Temple gate): Nazareth names Jesus’ humble origin; Jerusalem and the Temple provide the courtroom and public stage for the miracle and testimony.
Explanation and Meaning of the Text
Peter’s brief declaration is tightly constructed to make several interlocking theological and persuasive points. ‘‘By the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene’’ signals that the authority and power at work are not abstract but personal and rooted in Jesus’ identity: to invoke his name is to invoke his presence and saving power. The charge ‘‘whom you crucified’’ functions as both historical assertion and moral indictment: the leaders bear responsibility for placing Jesus on the cross. ‘‘Whom God raised from the dead’’ introduces God’s decisive act of vindication—resurrection reframes the crucifixion not as final defeat but as the hinge of God’s saving work. Finally, ‘‘by this name this man stands here before you in good health’’ connects the theological claim to an empirical sign: the healing is proof that the resurrection power is active and that the Messiah’s work brings restoration.
The verse reflects Luke’s theology of witness: the early church proclaims Jesus’ death and resurrection openly and links proclamation to tangible works of mercy and healing. Peter’s rhetoric also models apostolic boldness and pastoral clarity—he does not shrink from naming what has been done nor from pointing to God’s action. The phrase ‘‘name’’ in Jewish and early Christian thought carried the weight of authority and presence; Peter is saying that the risen Lord’s power operates now in and through the community he has called.
Devotional
The name of Jesus in this verse invites trust. When Peter points to the crucified and risen Jesus as the source of the man’s healing, he calls us to remember that Jesus’ suffering was not the end but the gateway to God’s life-restoring power. In moments of weakness, illness, or despair we can bring our needs to the one whose name holds authority over death and brokenness. Let this assurance warm your heart: the same Lord who was rejected and raised is near and able to heal, restore, and make whole.
At the same time, Peter’s courage before the council calls us to faithful witness. We are encouraged not only to experience grace but to speak it—gently, clearly, and with humility—wherever God places us. Trust the risen Christ, allow his compassion to shape your life, and let his name guide your words and deeds so that others may see signs of hope and be drawn to the Lord who heals and vindicates.