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Acts 10:38

KJV

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

Read it in context Peter preaches Jesus
Start reading at Acts 10:34 (Acts 10:34 to Acts 10:43). An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.

Peter's message centers on Jesus and the witnesses to His resurrection, leading to the promise of remission through His name.

  1. 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
  2. 10:35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
  3. 10:36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
  4. 10:37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
  5. 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
  6. 10:39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:
  7. 10:40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;
  8. 10:41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.
  9. 10:42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
  10. 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

Who

What

When

Where

How

Cited: Acts 10:34, Acts 10:43, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:38, Acts 10:44, Acts 10:48, Acts 19:5, Acts 19:6

Who wrote it, and how we know

Luke Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book opens by referring to the author's former treatise to Theophilus, tying it to Luke, and shifts into first-person plural in the travel accounts. Acts 1:1Acts 16:10
Early traditionEarly testimony names Luke.
What is debatedThe name is not in the text.

Other accounts of this event

Cornelius, Peter, and the Gentiles receiving the Holy Ghost

Later retelling included

Acts 11 records Peter's later explanation of the events in Acts 10. Acts 15 briefly recalls the Gentiles hearing and receiving the Holy Ghost.

Related passages

Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).

Time covered by Acts

About 30 years
  1. AD 30 or 33Approximate beginning · Acts 1

    The risen Jesus instructs His apostles

    Acts begins after Jesus’ resurrection and describes His ascension.
  2. About AD 62Approximate ending · Acts 28

    Paul teaches while confined in Rome

    The account closes with Paul receiving visitors and teaching during two full years in his rented lodging.
The narrative moves from Jerusalem to Rome over roughly three decades. Chapters do not represent equal amounts of time.
View historical notes and sources
Using a beginning in AD 30 or 33 and an ending around AD 62 gives approximately 29–32 years. These are reconstructed dates for the events, not a date for the writing of Acts. The book does not explicitly total its elapsed years.

Macro-Structure

See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.

Acts 10

Acts addresses Theophilus as a continuation of the earlier account and follows the witnesses empowered by the Holy Ghost. Acts 1:8 supplies an important geographical frame: Jerusalem, Judaea and Samaria, and the uttermost part of the earth.

Acts 1:1 Acts 1:8

Cornelius and Peter are directed
Acts 10:1–23

FocusPreparation for an unexpected visit

Connection to the wholeThe messenger and Peter's vision bring the two men toward a meeting that will challenge assumptions about whom Peter may visit.
interpretation
Peter enters the household
Acts 10:24–33

FocusGod's direction acknowledged

Connection to the wholePeter hears why he was summoned and recognizes that the gathering has been arranged to hear what God has commanded him to speak.
interpretation
Peter preaches Jesus
Acts 10:34–43 You are here · 10:38

FocusLife, death, resurrection, and remission

Connection to the wholePeter's message centers on Jesus and the witnesses to His resurrection, leading to the promise of remission through His name.
interpretation
The Holy Ghost and baptism
Acts 10:44–48

FocusGentile hearers received

Connection to the wholeThe Jewish believers hear the Gentiles speak with tongues and magnify God; Peter then commands water baptism in the Lord's name.
interpretation

Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.

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