Peter's second speech, reported in Acts 3.12-26, is the natural continuation of the Pentecost speech. It was delivered shortly after the at the Temple gate called "Beautiful" (Acts 3.1-10). As at Pentecost, Peter seizes the opportunity of an extraordinary event to proclaim Jesus the Messiah. This speech displays a remarkable structure and several major theological themes.
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Introduction: Peter Turns Attention Away from Himself (Acts 3.12)
Peter begins by rejecting all personal glory:
"Why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?" (Acts 3.12)
Unlike certain wonder-workers of Antiquity, Peter refuses to be regarded as the author of the miracle. It must lead the listeners not to the apostles, but to God and to Jesus.
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Jesus Is Presented as the True Author of the Miracle (Acts 3.13-16)
Peter immediately ties his message to the faith of Israel:
"The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus" (Acts 3.13).
Several christological titles appear:
- his Servant (Isaiah 52.13; Acts 3.13);
- the Holy One and the Righteous One (Acts 3.14);
- the Prince of life (Acts 3.15);
- the promised Messiah (Acts 3.18).
As at Pentecost, Peter contrasts:
- the rejection of Jesus by men;
- his glorification by God.
He recalls:
"You killed him, but God raised him from the dead" (Acts 3.15).
The miracle performed on the lame man thus becomes an additional proof of the power of the risen Christ (Acts 3.16).
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A Lessening of the Jews' Responsibility (Acts 3.17)
The tone differs somewhat from that of Acts 2.23. Peter declares:
"I know that you acted in ignorance" (Acts 3.17).
This ignorance had already been mentioned by Jesus on the cross:
"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Luke 23.34).
Paul will later use similar reasoning (1 Corinthians 2.8).
Peter does not excuse his listeners, but he opens to them the door of repentance.
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The Fulfillment of the Prophecies (Acts 3.18)
As in his first speech, Peter shows that the sufferings of the Messiah had been foretold:
"God fulfilled in this way what he had announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets" (Acts 3.18).
Here we find the theme already developed by Jesus himself after the resurrection (Luke 24.25-27; Luke 24.44-46).
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Call to Repentance and Promise of Times of Refreshing (Acts 3.19-21)
Peter calls on his listeners:
"Repent therefore, and turn back" (Acts 3.19).
He links this conversion to:
- the forgiveness of sins;
- the "times of refreshing" coming from the Lord;
- the future return of the Messiah.
The expression "times of refreshing" is unique in the New Testament. It seems to announce the messianic blessings and the final restoration of all things (Acts 3.21).
This passage has a clearly eschatological dimension.
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Moses Had Announced the Coming of the Messiah (Acts 3.22-23)
Peter quotes Deuteronomy 18.15-19:
"God will raise up for you from among your brothers a prophet like me" (Acts 3.22).
Jesus is presented as the new Moses announced long ago.
This interpretation was already present in certain Jewish circles and will be taken up later by Stephen (Acts 7.37).
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All the Prophets Spoke of These Days (Acts 3.24)
Peter affirms:
"All the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those after him, also announced these days" (Acts 3.24).
This declaration underlines the unity between the Old Testament and the Gospel.
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The Jews Are the First Beneficiaries of the Covenant (Acts 3.25-26)
Peter concludes on a note full of hope:
"God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you" (Acts 3.26).
Salvation is offered first to Israel, in keeping with the promises made to Abraham (Genesis 12.3; Romans 1.16).
General Structure of the Speech
| Part | Text | Theme |
| 1 | Acts 3.12 | Rejection of human glory |
| 2 | Acts 3.13-16 | Jesus, author of the miracle |
| 3 | Acts 3.17 | The ignorance of the people |
| 4 | Acts 3.18 | Fulfillment of the prophets |
| 5 | Acts 3.19-21 | Repentance and future restoration |
| 6 | Acts 3.22-23 | Jesus, the prophet announced by Moses |
| 7 | Acts 3.24 | Testimony of all the prophets |
| 8 | Acts 3.25-26 | Priority of Israel in the plan of salvation |
From a literary and theological point of view, this second speech appears more developed on the eschatological level than that of Pentecost. It insists more on the fulfillment of the prophecies, on the particular role of Israel, and on the future return of the Messiah. Like the first speech, it is entirely centered on Jesus, his resurrection, and the call to repentance. It thus constitutes one of the most important apostolic testimonies preserved in the book of Acts.