Act 3:14-15 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 14. The Holy One , etc. See . Comp. . And the Just . The word just here denotes innocent , or one who was free from crime. It properly is used in reference to law , and denotes one who stands upright in the view of the law, or who is not chargeable with crime. In this sense the Lord Jesus was not only personally innocent, but even before his judges he stood unconvicted of any crime. The crime charged on him at first was blasphemy, ; and on this charge the sanhedrim had condemned him, without proof. But of this charge Pilate would not take cognizance, and hence before him they charged him with sedition, . Neither of these charges were made out; and, of course, in the eye of the law he was innocent and just. It greatly aggravated their crime that they demanded his death still, even after it was ascertained that they could prove nothing against him; thus showing that it was mere hatred and malice that led them to seek his death. And desired a murderer . . (f) "Holy One" (g) "Just"

Acts 3:14-15

Verse 14. The Holy One, etc. See Ps 16:10. Comp. Acts 2:27.

And the Just. The word just here denotes innocent, or one who was free from crime. It properly is used in reference to law, and denotes one who stands upright in the view of the law, or who is not chargeable with crime. In this sense the Lord Jesus was not only personally innocent, but even before his judges he stood unconvicted of any crime. The crime charged on him at first was blasphemy, Mt 26:65; and on this charge the sanhedrim had condemned him, without proof. But of this charge Pilate would not take cognizance, and hence before him they charged him with sedition, Lk 23:2. Neither of these charges were made out; and, of course, in the eye of the law he was innocent and just. It greatly aggravated their crime that they demanded his death still, even after it was ascertained that they could prove nothing against him; thus showing that it was mere hatred and malice that led them to seek his death.

And desired a murderer. Mt 27:21.

(f) "Holy One" Mt 17:17-25, Lk 23:15-23 (g) "Just" Acts 7:52, 22:14 Verse 15. And killed the Prince of life. The word rendered prince denotes, properly, a military leader or commander. Hence, in Heb 2:10, it is translated captain: "It became him--to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings." As a captain or commander leads on to victory, and is said to obtain it, so the word comes to denote one who is the cause, the author, the procurer, etc. In this sense it is used: Acts 5:31, "Him hath God exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel," etc. In Heb 12:2, it is properly rendered author: "Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith." The word author, or giver, would express the meaning of the word here. It also implies that he has dominion over life; an idea, indeed, which is essentially connected with that of his being the author of it. The word life here is used in a large sense, as denoting all manner of life. In this sense it is used in reference to Christ in Jn 1:4, "In him was life," etc. Comp. Jn 5:26, 1Jn 5:11, 1Cor 15:45. Jesus is here called the Prince of life in contrast with him whom the Jews demanded in his place, Barabbas. He was a murderer, Lk 23:19; Mk 15:7, one who had destroyed life; and yet they demanded that he whose character it was to destroy life should be released, and the Author of life be put to death.

Whom God hath raised, etc., Acts 2:24,32.

(h) "raised from the dead" Mt 28:2-6, Eph 1:20 (i) "whereof we are witnesses" Acts 2:32