17 "Now, fellow Israelites, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders.
17 And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.
17 "And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers.
17 "And now, friends, I know you had no idea what you were doing when you killed Jesus, and neither did your leaders.
17 Yet now, brethren, I know that you did it in ignorance, as did also your rulers.
17 "Friends, I realize that what you and your leaders did to Jesus was done in ignorance.
2 For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge.
2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.
2 I readily admit that the Jews are impressively energetic regarding God - but they are doing everything exactly backwards.
2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.
2 I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal.
(Read Romans 10:1-4)
The Jews built on a false foundation, and refused to come to Christ for free salvation by faith, and numbers in every age do the same in various ways. The strictness of the law showed men their need of salvation by grace, through faith. And the ceremonies shadowed forth Christ as fulfilling the righteousness, and bearing the curse of the law. So that even under the law, all who were justified before God, obtained that blessing by faith, whereby they were made partakers of the perfect righteousness of the promised Redeemer. The law is not destroyed, nor the intention of the Lawgiver disappointed; but full satisfaction being made by the death of Christ for our breach of the law, the end is gained. That is, Christ has fulfilled the whole law, therefore whoever believeth in him, is counted just before God, as much as though he had fulfilled the whole law himself. Sinners never could go on in vain fancies of their own righteousness, if they knew the justice of God as a Governor, or his righteousness as a Saviour.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 3:17
Commentary on Acts 3:12-18
(Read Acts 3:12-18)
Observe the difference in the manner of working the miracles. Our Lord always spoke as having Almighty power, never hesitated to receive the greatest honour that was given to him on account of his Divine miracles. But the apostles referred all to their Lord, and refused to receive any honour, except as his undeserving instruments. This shows that Jesus was one with the Father, and co-equal with Him; while the apostles knew that they were weak, sinful men, and dependent for every thing on Jesus, whose power effected the cure. Useful men must be very humble. Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but to thy name, give glory. Every crown must be cast at the feet of Christ. The apostle showed the Jews the greatness of their crime, but would not anger or drive them to despair. Assuredly, those who reject, refuse, or deny Christ, do it through ignorance; but this can in no case be an excuse.