[Greek] ἀγράμματος (agrammatos), [Latin] inlitteratus, [Latin] ignorantia: without learning, uneducated, unlearned, illiterate; Acts 4:13
St. Peter Cures the Lame Beggar: painting by Bernardo Strozzi (1581-1644)
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means illiterate, unable to read or write, unable to makes sounds, inarticulate, and incapable of being written. Xenophon’s Memorabilia 4.2.20 states “Which is the more literate? The man who intentionally blunders in writing or reading or the man who blunders unintentionally.” Plato’s Timaeus 23a states “If any even thus occurred that is noble or great, whether it be in your country or in ous or in some other place, all such events are recorded from of old and preserved in our temples.” Plato’s Statesman 295a states “But he will legislate for the majority and in a general way only roughly for individuals, whether he issues written laws or his enactments follow the unwritten traditional customs.”
Old Testament: Uneducated means unacquainted with Rabbinic teaching.
New Testament: This term, meaning uneducated, refers to the Sanhedrin (and priests and temple guard) attitudes toward Peter and John. After he had healed a crippled beggar, Peter began to inspire the crowd. These Jewish authorities were disturbed and brought Peter before the Sanhedrin. They were disturbed that Peter was teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. These authorities viewed Peter and John as uneducated and associated with Jesus. The Sanhedrin forbad Peter from speaking in His name. Unable to punish them, the Sanhedrin released Peter and John.
Scripture:
“Observing the boldness of Peter and John and perceiving them to be uneducated, ordinary men, they were amazed, and they recognized them as the companions of Jesus.” Acts 4:13
Conclusion:
Grammar, grammatical, literate, ignorant, illiterate
In the Greek Hellenistic era, I was surprised by the more nuanced meanings of this term. One example refers to the discussion of what is more serious: willful ignorance or unintentional ignorance. In many past cultures, records and events were recorded by the few scribes. In many cultures, the people often were not able to read or write.
In the New Testament, this scripture passage speaks to the Jewish authorities’ ignorance and willful non-acceptance of Peter and John. It is important to note that Jesus uses often ignorant and foolish people to carry out His message. Intellectual knowledge is not a prerequisite in following Jesus.
It doesn’t take a genius to figure out who were the ignorant persons in this scripture passage.