Acts 4:13

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

Cross-references

Acts 4:29 Related theme

In Acts 4:29, the believers pray for continued boldness — directly echoing the boldness Peter and John already demonstrated here.

Acts 13:46 Parallel

Acts 13:46 describes Paul and Barnabas speaking boldly, the same boldness (parrhesia) shown by Peter and John.

Acts 2:7-12 shows crowds amazed that Galileans speak in tongues — parallel to leaders amazed at unschooled men's boldness in Acts 4:13.

1 Corinthians 1:27 reveals God's pattern of choosing the foolish to shame the wise, explaining why uneducated men like Peter and John were used powerfully.

Matthew 4:18–22 Historical context

Matthew 4:18-22 shows Jesus calling fishermen — the backstory of why Peter and John were considered unschooled in Acts 4:13.

Matthew 11:25 says God reveals truth to the unlearned — exactly what Acts 4:13 exemplifies with unschooled disciples.

Matthew 26:58 shows Peter following at a distance in fear, a stark contrast to the boldness he displays before those same leaders in Acts.

Matthew 26:71 records Peter being accused of being with Jesus, which he denies — opposite to Acts 4 where that association is recognized and embraced.

Luke 22:56-60 recounts Peter's threefold denial, directly contrasting with his fearless testimony before the same group in Acts.

John 7:15 Parallel

John 7:15 records amazement that Jesus has learning without being taught — mirrors the astonishment at unschooled disciples in Acts 4:13.

John 18:16 Contrast

John 18:16 depicts Peter standing outside the door, hesitant and fearful — a vivid contrast to his boldness in Acts 4.

1 Thessalonians 2:2 recalls boldness despite suffering, matching the boldness of Peter and John before the Sanhedrin.

In 1 Samuel 10:11, people marvel that an ordinary man (Saul) prophesies—paralleling the astonishment at untrained apostles speaking boldly.

Ephesians 6:19 asks prayer for boldness in proclamation, echoing the boldness Peter and John displayed.

John 7:26 Parallel

In John 7:26, people marvel at Jesus speaking openly despite opposition — parallel to the boldness of Peter and John here.

Mark 6:2 Parallel

In Mark 6:2, crowds are astonished at Jesus' wisdom given his background — the same pattern as the amazement here over uneducated apostles.

In Matthew 13:54, people are astonished at Jesus' wisdom despite his humble origins — mirroring the amazement at uneducated Peter and John here.

Isaiah 32:4 Parallel

Isaiah 32:4 promises stammerers will speak distinctly—directly parallels uneducated men speaking boldly, a divine enablement.

Proverbs 28:1 says the righteous are bold as a lion—directly parallels the boldness of Peter and John in Acts 4:13.

Psalm 118:23 declares this is the Lord's doing and marvelous—directly echoes the astonishment of Acts 4:13 after quoting v.22 in context.

John 7:49 Parallel

John 7:49 captures the religious leaders' contempt for the uneducated crowd, paralleling the lowly status of Peter and John that makes their boldness striking.

Matthew 26:73 highlights Peter's Galilean accent, marking him as lowly and uneducated — the kind of person God uses in Acts 4.