Peter and John head to the temple to pray, and there’s this crippled man begging at the gate—same spot for years. They heal him in Jesus’ name, and just like that, he’s up—walking, leaping, praising God! The folks in the temple courts know him; they’re stunned. Peter preaches, “This isn’t us—it’s Jesus, raised from the dead, the one you rejected and crucified. His name did this.” Wow, what a moment! But the Jewish leaders aren’t having it—they arrest them. The next day, Peter and John stand before them, and the Holy Spirit fills Peter with boldness to testify about Jesus’ resurrection and power.
Acts 4:13 (CSB)
“When they observed the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed and recognized that they had been with Jesus.”
The leaders marvel—how could these regular, unschooled guys speak and act like this? It hits them: they’d been with Jesus. That’s the difference!
They’re stumped. The healed man’s right there—proof of Jesus’ power—so they can’t deny it. Instead, they threaten Peter and John: “Stop teaching in His name!” But Peter fires back, “Should we obey you or God?” It’s like when Jesus asked the Jews about John the Baptist’s authority (Matt. 21:25)—they couldn’t deny it was from heaven, so they clammed up. Here, Peter’s saying, “This miracle’s from God—how can we not speak His name?” Wow! The leaders see the truth but won’t admit it. Peter and John? They’re unstoppable because they’ve been with Jesus.
This really gets me thinking—how much time do I spend with Jesus? Am I in His Word, praying, sharing life with His family? I know God’s always at work, even through me, but do people see Him when I speak—or just me? I want that boldness Peter and John had, to share what Jesus has done. That comes from being with Him. When I am, His power flows out. How about you? Let’s be with Jesus—really be with Him—and watch Him shine through us, touching others with His love.
I can’t think of a greater compliment than people saying about us that they “recognized that they had been with Jesus.”
