The Meaning of Acts 3:17 Explained

Acts 3:17

KJV: And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.

YLT: And now, brethren, I have known that through ignorance ye did it, as also your rulers;

Darby: And now, brethren, I know that ye did it in ignorance, as also your rulers;

ASV: And now, brethren, I know that in ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  now,  brethren,  I wot  that  through  ignorance  ye did  [it], as  [did] also  your  rulers. 

What does Acts 3:17 Mean?

Context Summary

Acts 3:11-26 - Searching Words
Peter's sermon was delivered in the eastern colonnade of the Temple. It derived its name probably from the fact that Solomon's Porch had originally occupied that site. The Apostle argued that the gospel which was given them to proclaim was only the flower of the revelations which had been given them through the prophets. How vast the change wrought in this man by the strength and illumination imparted to him at Pentecost! Why should we not seek to be similarly infilled!
How humble-not by their power! How daring-God had glorified Him whom they slew! What glorious conceptions of Christ-Prince of Life, holy and righteous! What pity for the ignorance of the Jews! The times of refreshing which are to come on this distracted world depend on the repentance and restoration of Israel. The Jew has the first offer of the gospel, as the child of the covenant; but its wide provisions lie open to us all, who by faith have become heirs of the promises made to Abraham. Christ begins His work of benediction for the soul by turning it away from iniquity. "Turn us, O Lord, and we shall be turned!" [source]

Chapter Summary: Acts 3

1  Peter preaching to the people that came to see a lame man restored to his feet,
12  professes the cure to have been wrought by God, and his son Jesus;
13  withal reprehending them for crucifying Jesus;
17  which because they did it through ignorance,
18  and that thereby were fulfilled God's determinate counsel, and the Scriptures,
19  he exhorts them by repentance and faith to seek remission of their sins through Jesus

Greek Commentary for Acts 3:17

And now [και νυν]
Luke is fond of these particles of transition (Acts 7:34; Acts 10:5; Acts 20:25; Acts 22:16) and also και τα νυν — kai ta nun (Acts 4:29; Acts 5:38; 22:32; Acts 27:22), and even και νυν ιδου — kai nun idou (Acts 13:11; Acts 20:22). [source]
I wot [οιδα]
Old English for “I know.” In ignorance (κατα αγνοιαν — kata agnoian). This use of κατα — kata occurs in the Koiné. See also Philemon 1:14. One may see note on Luke 23:34 for the words of the Saviour on the Cross. “They had sinned, but their sin was not of so deep a dye that it could not have been still more heinous” (Hackett). If they had known what they were doing, they would not knowingly have crucified the Messiah (1 Corinthians 2:8). [source]
In ignorance [κατα αγνοιαν]
This use of κατα — kata occurs in the Koiné. See also Philemon 1:14. One may see note on Luke 23:34 for the words of the Saviour on the Cross. “They had sinned, but their sin was not of so deep a dye that it could not have been still more heinous” (Hackett). If they had known what they were doing, they would not knowingly have crucified the Messiah (1 Corinthians 2:8). [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 3:17

Luke 12:10 A word [λόγον]
Distinguished from blaspheme, which follows. A word against the poor and humble Son of Man might, as Godet observes, have proceeded from a sincerely pious Jew, under the influence of his early education, which taught him to regard Jesus as an enthusiast or even as an impostor. The sin of the Jews was in rejecting and resisting the power of the Spirit of Pentecost. Pardon was offered them there for the sin of crucifying the Lord (see Acts 2:38-40, and compare Acts 3:17-19). [source]
John 15:21 Unto you [εις υμας]
Like the dative υμιν — humin (Textus Receptus) as in the papyri and modern Greek (Robertson, Grammar, p. 594). For my name‘s sake See John 15:20. See this same warning and language in Matthew 10:22; Mark 13:13; Matthew 24:9; Luke 21:17). There is little difference in meaning from ενεκεν μου — heneken mou (Mark 13:9; Luke 21:12). Loyalty to the name of Christ will bring persecution as they will soon know (Acts 5:41; Philemon 1:29; 1 Peter 4:14). About the world‘s ignorance of God see Luke 23:34; Acts 3:17; John 16:3. [source]
Galatians 1:13 Beyond measure [καθ ' ὑπερβολὴν]
PLit. according to excess. The noun primarily means a casting beyond, thence superiority, excellency. See 2Corinthians href="/desk/?q=2co+4:7&sr=1">2 Corinthians 4:7, 2 Corinthians 4:17. It is transliterated in hyperbole. For similar phrases comp. 1 Corinthians 2:1; Acts 19:20; Acts 3:17; Acts 25:23. [source]
Ephesians 4:18 In their understanding [τηι διανοιαι]
Locative case. Probably διανοια — dianoia It is possible to take απηλλοτριωμενοι — ontes with εσκοτωμενοι — apēllotriōmenoi (see note on Ephesians 2:12) which would then be periphrastic (instead of της ζωης του τεου — eskotōmenoi) perfect passive participle. From the life of God (ζωης — tēs zōēs tou theou). Ablative case απηλλοτριωμενοι — zōēs after δια την αγνοιαν — apēllotriōmenoi (Ephesians 2:12). Because of the ignorance Old word from πωρωσιν — agnoeō not to know. Rare in N.T. See note on Acts 3:17. Hardening (pōrōsin). Late medical term (Hippocrates) for callous hardening. Only other N.T. examples are Mark 3:5; Romans 11:25. [source]
Ephesians 4:18 Because of the ignorance [αγνοεω]
Old word from πωρωσιν — agnoeō not to know. Rare in N.T. See note on Acts 3:17. Hardening (pōrōsin). Late medical term (Hippocrates) for callous hardening. Only other N.T. examples are Mark 3:5; Romans 11:25. [source]
1 Peter 1:14 Not fashioning yourselves [μη συνσχηματιζομενοι]
Usual negative μη — mē with the participle (present direct middle of συνσχηματιζω — sunschēmatizō a rare (Aristotle, Plutarch) compound See Philemon 2:6. for contrast between μορπη — schēma (pattern) and ταις προτερον επιτυμιαις — morphē (form).According to your former lusts (συνσχηματιζομενοι — tais proteron epithumiais). Associative instrumental case after επιτυμια — sunschēmatizomenoi and the bad sense of εν τηι αγνοιαι υμων — epithumia as in 1 Peter 4:2; 2 Peter 1:4; James 1:14.In the time of your ignorance “In your ignorance,” but in attributive position before “lusts.” αγνοεω — Agnoia (from agnoeō to be ignorant) is old word, in N.T. only here, Acts 3:17; Acts 17:30; Ephesians 4:18. [source]
1 Peter 1:14 In the time of your ignorance [Αγνοια]
“In your ignorance,” but in attributive position before “lusts.” αγνοεω — Agnoia (from agnoeō to be ignorant) is old word, in N.T. only here, Acts 3:17; Acts 17:30; Ephesians 4:18. [source]

What do the individual words in Acts 3:17 mean?

And now brothers I know that in ignorance you acted as also the rulers of you
Καὶ νῦν ἀδελφοί οἶδα ὅτι κατὰ ἄγνοιαν ἐπράξατε ὥσπερ καὶ οἱ ἄρχοντες ὑμῶν

νῦν  now 
Parse: Adverb
Root: νῦν  
Sense: at this time, the present, now.
ἀδελφοί  brothers 
Parse: Noun, Vocative Masculine Plural
Root: ἀδελφός  
Sense: a brother, whether born of the same two parents or only of the same father or mother.
οἶδα  I  know 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: οἶδα  
Sense: to see.
ὅτι  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ὅτι  
Sense: that, because, since.
ἄγνοιαν  ignorance 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ἄγνοια  
Sense: lack of knowledge, ignorance.
ἐπράξατε  you  acted 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: ἀναπράσσω 
Sense: to exercise, practise, to be busy with, carry on.
καὶ  also 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: καί  
Sense: and, also, even, indeed, but.
ἄρχοντες  rulers 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: ἄρχων  
Sense: a ruler, commander, chief, leader.
ὑμῶν  of  you 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.