Act 3:15 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)
15 and you killed the source of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.

15 τὸν the δὲ but ἀρχηγὸν originator, founder, source, beginner τῆς of the ζωῆς life ἀπεκτείνατε, you killed, ὃν whom ὁ the θεὸς God ἤγειρεν raised up ἐκ out of νεκρῶν, dead (ones), οὗ of which ἡμεῖς we μάρτυρές witnesses ἐσμεν we are.

Alternative Rendering

Acts 3:15: “But the originator of life you killed, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.”

This translation closely follows the structure and meaning of the Greek text, ensuring that each term is represented accurately. The word “ἀρχηγὸν” is translated as “originator” to reflect its meaning as the source or founder, and the rest of the sentence maintains the original word order and nuances.

The UASV rendering of Acts 3:15—”and you killed the source of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses”—is a clear and accurate translation of the Greek text.

Here’s a brief analysis:

1. “the source of life”: This translates the Greek word “ἀρχηγὸν” (archēgon), which can mean “originator,” “founder,” “source,” or “leader.” “Source of life” effectively captures the idea that Jesus is the origin or author of life.

2. “you killed”: This straightforwardly translates “ἀπεκτείνατε” (apekteinate), accurately conveying the action taken against Jesus.

3. “whom God raised from the dead”: This phrase faithfully renders “ὃν ὁ θεὸς ἤγειρεν ἐκ νεκρῶν” (hon ho theos ēgeiren ek nekrōn), clearly indicating the resurrection performed by God.

4. “of which we are witnesses”: This translation of “οὗ ἡμεῖς μάρτυρές ἐσμεν” (hou hēmeis martyres esmen) accurately conveys the apostles’ role as witnesses to these events.

Overall, the UASV rendering is a good representation of the original Greek text, preserving both the meaning and the grammatical structure in a way that is understandable in contemporary English. It aligns well with a literal translation philosophy, aiming to stay as close to the original wording and meaning as possible.

The Source of Life

In Acts 3:15, when referring to “the source of life,” the author of Acts, Luke, is primarily emphasizing the eternal life that believers receive through Jesus Christ. This understanding is consistent with the broader theological themes present in Luke-Acts and the New Testament as a whole.

1. Eternal Life Through Jesus: The term “ἀρχηγὸν τῆς ζωῆς” (archēgon tēs zōēs) highlights Jesus as the originator or source of life, which in the context of the New Testament, often points to the eternal life offered through His death and resurrection. John 14:6, for instance, records Jesus saying, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” The life Jesus provides is not just physical existence but eternal, spiritual life, as further elaborated in passages like John 3:16 and John 10:10, where Jesus speaks of giving life abundantly and eternally to those who believe in Him.

2. Resurrection and New Creation: The resurrection mentioned in the verse signifies the new creation and the hope of eternal life that believers have in Christ. Romans 6:4-5 speaks of believers walking in newness of life through the resurrection of Jesus, which aligns with the understanding that Jesus, by His resurrection, becomes the source of this new, eternal life.

3. Connection to Genesis Creation: While Jesus as the source of life can be connected to the original creation (John 1:3, Colossians 1:16), where all things were made through Him, the focus in Acts 3:15 is more on the life made available through the resurrection. The term “source of life” encompasses both Jesus’ role in the original creation and His role in the new creation, but the emphasis in Acts is on the latter—the eternal life believers receive through Him.

4. Witness to Resurrection: The apostles, as witnesses to the resurrection (Acts 3:15b), underscore the significance of Jesus’ victory over death and His provision of eternal life. Their testimony serves as a foundation for the proclamation of the gospel, which centers on the resurrection and the promise of eternal life.

Therefore, while the phrase can indirectly remind readers of the original creation, the primary focus in Acts 3:15 is on the eternal life that believers are now eligible to receive through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and their obedience to His teaching. This life transcends mere physical existence and points to the spiritual and eternal life promised to those who follow Christ.

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