As they observed the confidence of Peter and John

“Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men.” (1) The members of the Sanhedrin were greatly surprised by the boldness of Peter and John (this indicates that John also was testifying). Formal religion often dislikes boldness and zealous evangelism. (2) Peter and John were uneducated, ordinary men (they even spoke with a Galilean accent). Jewish males received basic scriptural education at the synagogue. Here, “uneducated” means they had not received rabbinical training. Notably, in the New Testament, there is no distinction between clergy and laity. This distinction was introduced by the Catholic Church. Jan Hus (was active in Bohemia) (1369–1415) was executed for advocating the priesthood of all believers. “They were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.” (1) Observing their behavior and manner of speaking reminded them of Jesus. (2) Jesus himself was also called uneducated: “How has this Man become learned, not having been educated?” (John 7:15). “And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply.” The presence of the healed man was an undeniable proof supporting Peter and John’s testimony. Essentially, this miracle was declared to have been done in the name of Jesus Christ. “But when they had ordered them to leave the Council, they began to confer with one another.” (1) The members of the Sanhedrin sent Peter and John out to conduct a private deliberation. They had performed a good deed by healing, so there were no grounds for convicting them. (2) Surprisingly, they did not debate the legitimacy of the two men’s claims based on the evidence. This was a trial with a predetermined conclusion. There is one thing the members of the Sanhedrin failed to understand: the two were speaking filled with the Holy Spirit. “The Spirit filling” is the power to speak God’s word. Consider the following scriptures for reference: (a) “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with different tongues, as the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak out.” (Acts 2:4). (b) “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them…” (Acts 4:8). (c) “And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31).