And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?
They brought Peter and John right into the center of everyone and demanded answers: 'What kind of power are you using here? Whose authority are you claiming when you do stuff like this?'
The religious leaders were basically asking 'Who do you think you are?' when they saw God moving through ordinary people.
📚 Historical Context
In the Book of Acts, this verse occurs shortly after Peter and John healed a lame man at the temple gate, which drew a crowd and led to their arrest by the Jewish religious authorities. The leaders, including the high priests and elders, were questioning them to investigate the source of their miraculous power, as this event challenged their control over religious matters in Jerusalem around 30 AD. This interrogation reflects the growing tension between the early Christian movement and the Jewish establishment that had recently crucified Jesus.
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