John Bengel Commentary - Acts 4:13 - 4:13

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John Bengel Commentary - Acts 4:13 - 4:13


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Act 4:13. Θεωροῦντες) beholding.-παῤῥησίαν, the freedom of speech) The noun παῤῥησία, and the verb παῤῥησιάζομαι, both very frequently used in this book of Acts, inasmuch as being appropriate to its subject, express the characteristic of true religion. It was by this boldness of speech that they overcame both city and world (urbem et orbem).-καταλαβόμενοι, having perceived) now, or even before.-ἄνθρωποι, men) This is a more humble designation than ἄνδρες.-ἀγράμματοι, unlearned) who could scarcely read or write, having hardly made further progress even in sacred learning.-ἰδιῶται, untutored men) Private persons, viz. fishermen; and therefore not endued with those accomplishments on which political and eloquent men depend. The ἀγράμματος is unaccomplished; the ἰδιώτης, still more so. See the remarks which we have made concerning this word, on Chrysost. de Sacerd., § 413. “It is by men of this kind, despised in the eyes of the world, that God has ALWAYS caused His word to be preached.”-Justus Jonas.-ἐπεγίνωσκόν τε, and they knew or recognised) now at last: for a little before they had paid less attention to them.