Acts 3:14Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He was speaking as if to say: In His place you asked for a robber. He presented their action in its most terrible form.

Since they were already in his power, he strikes them sharply. He did not say, "when Pilate wished," but, "you asked that a murderer be granted to you."

That is, you asked for the release of one who killed others, and did not want Him who gives life to the slain.

"But you denied the Holy and Righteous One." He did not say, "you delivered Him up," but everywhere, "you denied Him." This is just, because they had said, "We have no king but Caesar" (Jn 19:15).

He did not say merely, "You did not ask for the innocent one." Nor did he only say, "you denied Him," but also, "you killed" (Acts 3:15).

When he said that instead of Him, Christ, they, the Jews, had asked for a robber, Peter explained the matter completely. For this proves that they had the ability to release Him. If they released a robber, they could all the more have released an innocent man. But they freed the evildoer and killed the Benefactor, for they killed the Author of life.

The speech of the Apostle Peter to the people after the healing of the lame man, just like his speech on the day of Pentecost, is a preaching about Jesus Christ. He was glorified by God (v. 13), crucified by men (vv. 14-15), risen from the dead (v. 15), and ascended into heaven (v. 21).

They denied the Holy and Righteous One, who is such preeminently before all men, since He is the true Messiah. They did not regard Him as such, and asked that a murderer be granted to them, that is, released from execution on account of the feast. This was Barabbas (see Lk 23:19 and parallels).

As if intensifying the accusations against the Jews, the apostle calls Jesus the Holy and Righteous One. Yet the Jews preferred a murderer, Barabbas, to Him.

They demanded of Pilate that he release the murderer and hand Christ Jesus over to death. This was done (cf. Lk 23:18-19).

The name "Holy One" was one of the preeminent titles of the Messiah, the Savior and Christ Jesus (cf. Isa 1:1-5; 5:24; Ps 15:10; Jn 10:36; 1 Pet 3:18; Rev 3:7).

He was likely called "Righteous" in the sense of innocent. This could be especially powerful when set beside the robber whom they asked to have released (cf. Mt 27:21).

They denied Jesus as the Messiah (cf. Jn 19:15). "If it was permitted to release one of the convicted criminals, how much more one whose guilt was doubtful."