Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.
Peter stood up with the eleven to silence the mockers and show he was no drunkard. His sermon alone is recorded, but all the hundred and twenty likely preached too; three thousand were converted that day. Mark this: he who once denied Christ in fear now confesses Him with a courage that proves his full recovery and restoration to God's favor.
AI summary
Commenting on Acts 2:14-36
Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you,.... The apostle calls the Jews, brethren, whom he before only styled men of Judea, and men of Israel, because they were his brethren according to the flesh, as many of them afterwards were in a spiritual relation; and the rather he adds this affectionate appellation to soften their minds, and prepare them to receive the account...
Verse 29. Men and brethren. This passage of the Psalms Peter now proves could not relate to David, but must have reference to the Messiah. He begins his argument in a respectful manner, addressing them as his brethren, though they had just charged him and the others with intoxication. Christians should use the usual respectful forms of salutation, whatever contempt and reproaches they may meet with from opposers.