Acts 10:42

"not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen before by God, to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead."

Key Reflection

In Acts 10:42, Peter is speaking directly to Gentiles, explaining that salvation through Jesus Christ was not initially offered to all people but to chosen witnesses who had seen and experienced the resurrection firsthand. This message would have emphasized the legitimacy of Christianity as a fulfillment of prophetic expectations, grounding its credibility in the testimony of those who walked with Jesus during his earthly ministry. The original audience would likely have understood that these chosen witnesses served as authoritative proof of Jesus' identity and mission, validating Peter's preaching among them.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 42. And he commanded us, etc. Mt 28:19,20; Mr 16:15,16. And to testify. To bear witness. That it is he, See Barnes "Joh 5:22-27". Compare the references in the margin. Of quick. The living. The doctrine of the New Testament is, that those who are alive when the Lord Jesus shall return to judge the world, shall be caught up in vast numbers like clouds, to meet him in the air, without seeing death, 1 Th 4:16,17. Yet before this, they shall experience such a change in their bodies as shall fit them for the judgment and for their eternal residence--a change which shall liken them to those who have died, and have been raised from the dead.

Related Verses

More from Acts 10

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49

Go deeper with Bible.talk - your AI Bible study companion