Acts 3:15Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

"The Author of life," he says. By this he prepares faith in the resurrection. "This One God raised from the dead."

So that no one might say, "How is this evident?" he now refers no longer to the prophets, but to himself, because he had already become worthy of belief.

Before, when he said that Christ had risen, he brought David as witness. Now, after saying the same thing, he refers to the apostolic choir: "of which," he says, "we are witnesses."

Again see how veiledly he speaks of His power, showing that He raised Himself from the dead. In the former preaching he said, "because it was not possible for Him to be held by it" (Acts 2:24).

So here he says, "You killed the Author of life." Therefore He did not receive life from another person.

"But the Author of life..." If He is the Author of life, then, as having life in Himself and as the cause of life, He raised Himself. "Of whom we are witnesses." He no longer resorts to prophecy. Since they already trusted him, he brings forward as witnesses the company of the apostles: "Of whom," he says, "we are witnesses." "His name has made this man strong."

The Apostle Peter's address to the people after the healing of the lame man, like his address 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). See the interpretations on chapter 2.

"You killed the Author of life." This is a powerful expression because of the contrast of ideas, and it is brief.

The expression "Author of life" is characteristic here when applied to the person of the Lord. Later, in Acts 5:31, He is called Author and Savior.

In Heb 2:10, He is called the Author of salvation. In Heb 12:2, He is called the Author and Finisher of faith.

Accordingly, the idea of "Author" (archegos) is here taken in the sense of cause, source, original disposer, and also finisher, who brings something to its goal.

The idea of life (cf. Jn 1:4) is taken here in an absolute sense, with its fullest and broadest application.

It means not only the higher spiritual life granted by Christ to humanity, eternal life, or eternal salvation attained by faith in Christ.

The title of Jesus Christ as Author of life is as new as it is rich in meaning. It is equivalent to Creator and Provider, who has life in Himself (cf. Jn 1:3; 2 Tim 1:10).

At the same time, it is not so strictly defined, since there are many forms of authorship and rule. Here the word is clearly taken in the sense of source of life.

This makes the senseless attempt to kill the eternal Messiah still more striking. God raised Him from the dead as such, and set Him alive before the apostles.

For this reason they were living witnesses that He truly is the Author of life for all who die and can rise by His power.

"The title of Christ as Author of life in the apostle's present speech is especially important also because it showed by itself the whole abomination of the Jews' action."