From: Acts 2:14, 22-33
Peter's Address
[14] But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and
addressed them, [22] "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of
Nazareth with mighty works and wonders and signs which God did through
Him in your midst, as you yourselves know--[23] this Jesus, delivered
up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you
crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. [24] But God raised
Him up, having loosed the pangs of death, because it was not possible
for Him to be held by it. [25] For David says concerning Him, 'I saw
the Lord always before Me, for He is at My right hand that I may not be
shaken; [26] therefore My heart was glad, and My tongue rejoiced;
moreover My flesh will dwell in hope. [27] For Thou will not abandon
My soul to Hades, nor let Thy Holy One see corruption. [28] Thou hast
made known to Me the ways of life; Thou wilt make Me full of gladness
with Thy presence.'
[29] "Brethren, I may say to you confidently of the patriarch David
that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.
[30] Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an
oath to him that He would set one of his descendants upon his throne,
[31] he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that He
was not abandoned to Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption.
[32] This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.
[33] Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having
received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured
out this which you see and hear."
Commentary:
14-36. Even as the Church takes its first steps St. Peter can be seen
to occupy the position of main spokesman. In his address we can
distinguish an introduction and two parts: in the first part (verses
16-21) he is explaining that the messianic times foretold by Joel have
now arrived; in the second (verses 22-36) he proclaims that Jesus of
Nazareth, whom the Jews crucified, is the Messiah promised by God and
eagerly awaited by the righteous of the Old Testament; it is He who has
effected God's saving plan for mankind.
14. In his commentaries St. John Chrysostom draws attention to the
change worked in Peter by the Holy Spirit: "Listen to him preach and
argue so boldly, who shortly before had trembled at the word of a
servant girl! This boldness is a significant proof of the resurrection
of his Master: Peter preaches to men who mock and laugh at his
enthusiasm. [...] Calumny ('they are filled with new wine') does not
deter the Apostles; sarcasm does not undermine their courage, for the
coming of the Holy Spirit has made new men of them, men who can put up
with every kind of human test. When the Holy Spirit enters into hearts
He does so to elevate their affections and to change earthly souls,
souls of clay, into chosen souls, people of real courage [...]. Look
at the harmony that exists among the Apostles. See how they allow
Peter to speak on behalf of them all. Peter raises his voice and
speaks to the people with full assurance. That is the kind of courage
a man has when he is the instrument of the Holy Spirit. [...] Just as
a burning coal does not lose its heat when it falls on a haystack but
instead is enabled to release its heat, so Peter, now that he is in
contact with the life-giving Spirit, spreads his inner fire to those
around him" ("Hom. on Acts", 4).
22-36. To demonstrate that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah foretold by
the prophets, St. Peter reminds his listeners of our Lord's miracles
(verse 22), as well as of His death (verse 23), resurrection (verses
24-32) and glorious ascension (verses 33-35). His address ends with a
brief summing-up (verse 36).
32. To proofs from prophecy, very important to the Jews, St. Peter adds
his own testimony on the resurrection of Jesus, and that of his
brothers in the Apostolate.
Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text
taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries
made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of
Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock,
Co. Dublin, Ireland.