Acts 3:17 Meaning and Explanation
“And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Peter softens his tone: he knows that the people, like their rulers, acted in ignorance.
What Does Acts 3:17 Mean?
Having pressed the charge home, Peter changes register: 'And now, brethren.' He still claims them as family, and he grants what is true — they did not grasp who it was they were rejecting. 'I wot' is older English for 'I know.' Even the rulers, he says, acted in ignorance.
Ignorance does not erase responsibility — Peter will still call them to repent — but it leaves the door of mercy standing wide. His words echo his Lord's from the cross: 'Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do' (Luke 23:34). Here is how the gospel speaks to people who have done grievous things: honest about the sin, tender toward the sinner, and confident that what was done in blindness God stands ready to forgive in the light.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 3:17
What does Acts 3:17 mean?
Peter softens his tone: he knows that the people, like their rulers, acted in ignorance.