Acts - 3:15



15 and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, to which we are witnesses.

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Acts 3:15.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
But the author of life you killed, whom God hath raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.
but the originator of life ye slew, whom God raised from among the dead, whereof we are witnesses.
and the Prince of the life ye did kill, whom God did raise out of the dead, of which we are witnesses;
The Prince of Life you put to death; but God has raised Him from the dead, and we are witnesses as to that.
And put to death the Lord of life; whom God gave back from the dead; of which fact we are witnesses.
Truly, it was the Author of Life whom you put to death, whom God raised from the dead, to whom we are witnesses.
The guide to life you put to death! But God raised him from the dead – and of that we are ourselves witnesses.

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

And killed the Prince of life - The word rendered "prince" denotes properly "a military leader or commander." Hence, in Hebrews 2:10, it is translated "captain:" "It became himto 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 Hebrews 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 John 1:4, "In him was life." Compare John 5:26; 1-John 5:11; 1-Corinthians 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 Luke 23:19; Mark 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 - Acts 2:24, Acts 2:32.

And killed the Prince of life - Τον αρχηγον της ζωης, The author of this life: not only implying that all life proceeds from Jesus Christ as its source, but that the life-giving influence of that religion which they were now proclaiming came all through him. Αρχηγος signifies a prime leader or author, a captain, from αρχη, the beginning, head, or chief; and αγω, I lead. In Hebrews 2:10, Christ is called Αρχηγος της σωτηριας, the Captain of salvation. He teaches the doctrine of life and salvation, leads the way in which men should walk, and has purchased the eternal life and glory which are to be enjoyed at the end of the way. So the Jews preferred a son of death, a destroyer of life, to the Author and Procurer of life and immortality!
Whereof we are witnesses - They had now wrought a most striking miracle in the name of Christ, and immediately proposed themselves as witnesses of his resurrection from the dead; the miracle which they had thus wrought being an unimpeachable proof of this resurrection.

And killed the Prince (c) of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
(c) Who has life in himself, and gives life to others.

And killed the Prince of life,.... Or author of life, natural, spiritual, and eternal; who not only is the living God, and has life in himself; and as man, had such a power over his own life, as no man ever had; but he is the author of a spiritual resurrection from the death of sin, to a life of grace, and has procured eternal life for his people, and gives it to them. Now this Lord of life and glory they crucified. His death is laid to them because it was at their request, and through their instigation, and at their earnest solicitations, that Pilate condemned him, and delivered, him to his soldiers to crucify him.
Whom God hath raised from the dead; notwithstanding all their spite and malice; so that they had not their whole will, and all their end, not being able to retain him under the power of death, and under the shame and reproach of the cross; and this the apostle the rather mentions, as being the reason why such gifts, and such power were bestowed on them to do the miracles they did.
Whereof we are witnesses; either of Christ, for it may be rendered, "whose witnesses we are"; they testifying of his person, office, grace, and righteousness; or of the resurrection of Christ, of which they were eyewitnesses; and of which they had the fullest proof, and were capable of bearing a sufficient testimony, and for which they were chosen and appointed.

killed the Prince of life--Glorious paradox, but how piercing to the conscience of the auditors.

We are witnesses. The Twelve, all of whom had seen the risen Lord. Observe how prominent in the early preaching is the resurrection and the apostolic witness to it.

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