Acts 2:22

Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth,. man approved of God unto you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him in the midst of you, even as ye yourselves know;

'HEAR THESE WORDS'-'listen to this' (TCNT); 'Oh men of Israel, listen!' (Tay). McGarvey notes, 'It is impossible for us, at this distance of space and time, to realize, except in. faint degree, the effect on minds so wrought up of the next announcement made by Peter.' (p. 29)

'JESUS OF NAZARETH'-'Since many men had the name "Jesus) (the O.T. equivalent was "Joshua"), our Savior was designated by Peter as being the Jesus who came from Nazareth.' (Reese p. 63)

'APPROVED OF GOD'-584. apodeiknumi ap-od-ike'-noo-mee; from 575 and 1166; to show off, i.e. exhibit; figuratively, to demonstrate, i.e. accredit: -(ap-)prove, set forth, shew.

-'to point out or shew forth' (Vincent p. 452); 'a man accredited to you from God' (Wey); 'a man attested' (RSV); 'singled out' (NEB). The miracles that Jesus performed were part of his credentials that He was sent from God or that God was with Him (John 3:2; John 5:36).

Point to Note:

The following three phrases are descriptive terms for the miraculous. They also give us clues concerning the purpose behind the miracles.

'MIGHTY WORKS'-'powerful deeds, works that demonstrated the mighty power of God.' (Reese p. 63) 'evidences of God's power operating among them.' (Bruce p. 70)

'WONDERS'-5059. teras ter'-as; of uncertain affinity;. prodigy or omen: -wonder.

-'because they excited wonder in those who witnessed them.' (Reese p. 63)

'SIGNS'-4592. semeion say-mi'-on; neuter of. presumed derivative of the base of 4591; an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally: -miracle, sign, token, wonder.

-'because they were designed to present evidence to convince people concerning Jesus' person and message (John 5:36; John 10:35; John 20:30; Hebrews 2:4).' (Reese p. 63)

Hence, when we examine these three descriptive terms, we find that the miracles were: "Mighty deeds"-Indicating the source was Divine. "Wonders"-which meant the miracles appealed to the imagination and emotions of mankind. "Signs"-the miracles also appealed to the human intellect-i.e. God must be with that man,. need to listen to what he was to say.

'IN THE MIDST OF YOU'-Many of the miracles were public. Some were even performed right in the very presence of Jesus' enemies (Mark 2:1; Matthew 12:9). And we should note that even the critics of Jesus could not deny that. miracle had been performed by this man (John 11:46). Bruce notes, 'That these acts were indeed performed by divine power had been generally acknowledged expect by those who saw that such an acknowledgement would involve undesirable theological implications (Luke 11:15).' (pp. 69-70)

'EVEN AS YE YOURSELVES KNOW'-

Point to Note:

The crowd that Peter was speaking to would include Jews who lived in Palestine, many who had been present when Jesus healed someone. We also need to remember that the Jews visiting from other parts of the Empire-had been in Jerusalem in previous years. And Jesus had also been in Jerusalem-on previous feasts during the last three years of his public ministry (John 2:13; John 5:1 ff; John 7:2). Therefore, even for those outside of Palestine, this probably wasn't the first time they have heard about Jesus and His miracles.

In addition, many of these same people might have stayed over from the Passover Feast, during which Jesus was put to death. That event would still be fresh in their minds.

Hence, notice how God gives people great opportunities to accept Him. God isn't letting the multitudes go home without first hearing "the rest of the story".