Acts 10 39

Acts 10:39 kjv

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:

Acts 10:39 nkjv

And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree.

Acts 10:39 niv

"We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross,

Acts 10:39 esv

And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree,

Acts 10:39 nlt

"And we apostles are witnesses of all he did throughout Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a cross,

Acts 10 verses

Acts 10 39 Meaning

Acts 10:39 serves as a concise summary of the apostolic witness concerning Jesus's public ministry and His death. Peter declares to Cornelius and his household that he and his fellow apostles are eyewitnesses to all the actions Jesus performed throughout Judea and in Jerusalem. He then starkly states that "they" (referring to the Jewish and Roman authorities collectively responsible) executed Jesus by crucifixion, using the culturally significant phrase "hanging on a tree." This verse emphasizes the factual, historically verifiable basis of the Christian message as testified by those who saw it unfold.

Acts 10 39 Context

This verse is part of Peter's pivotal sermon to Cornelius and his household in Caesarea (Acts 10). This event marks the first major Gentile conversion, signifying a critical shift in the early Church's mission beyond the Jewish people. Peter has been divinely instructed through a vision to go to Cornelius, and this sermon summarizes the core message of the Gospel for this new, Gentile audience. Following his initial declaration of God's impartiality (Acts 10:34-35), Peter outlines the historical facts of Jesus's life, culminating in this verse about His death, immediately followed by His resurrection and commission to the apostles. The historical reliability of the apostles as eyewitnesses is crucial for establishing the truth of this radical new message for non-Jews.

Acts 10 39 Word analysis

• And we are witnesses (κἀμεῖς μάρτυρες - kameis martyres): The opening "And we" is emphatic, setting Peter and his fellow apostles apart as primary, firsthand sources. Martyres (μάρτυρες) implies not merely observers but those who bear authoritative testimony, risking their lives for what they saw. It underpins the apostolic authority in the early church.
• of all things (πάντων ὧν - pantōn hōn): This signifies the comprehensive nature of Jesus's public ministry, indicating a wide range of actions, not just a selected few. It includes teaching, miracles, and the entirety of His interactions as described in the Gospels.
• which He did (ἐποίησεν - epoiesen): Refers to the active works of Jesus, tying back to the "doing good" mentioned in the previous verse (Acts 10:38). It encompasses His miracles, teachings, healings, and the embodiment of God's character through His actions.
• both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem (ἔν τε τῇ χώρᾳ τῶν Ἰουδαίων καὶ Ἱερουσαλήμ - en te tē chōra tōn Ioudaiōn kai Hierousalēm):
  • "in the land of the Jews": Refers to Judea and its surrounding regions, including Galilee, where much of Jesus's itinerant ministry took place. It speaks to the broader public sphere of His work.
  • "and in Jerusalem": Specifies the capital city, which was the political and religious center. It's significant as the place where Jesus's ministry culminated in His final Passion and death. The combination covers the entire scope of His earthly ministry in the Promised Land.
• whom they put to death (ὃν καὶ ἀνεῖλον - hon kai aneilon):
  • "whom" (ὃν): Points directly back to Jesus.
  • "they": This collective pronoun refers to the authorities responsible for Jesus's execution – primarily the Jewish religious leaders who condemned Him and pressed for His death, and the Roman authorities (Pontius Pilate) who carried out the sentence.
  • "put to death" (ἀνεῖλον - aneilon): A strong verb meaning "took away, killed, executed." It carries the weight of a deliberate and violent act, not an accident.
• by hanging on a tree (κρεμάσαντες ἐπὶ ξύλου - kremasantes epi xylou):
  • This phrase unequivocally refers to crucifixion. "Tree" (xylou) was a common ancient term for a stake or wooden cross.
  • Theologically, this specific wording resonates with Dt 21:22-23, which states that "anyone who is hanged on a tree is under God’s curse." By describing Jesus's death this way, Peter implicitly connects it to this curse, later fully developed by Paul (Gal 3:13) as Jesus bearing the curse on humanity's behalf. It highlights the profound shame and judicial rejection inherent in His mode of execution, transforming a symbol of disgrace into an instrument of salvation.

Acts 10 39 Bonus section

• The structure of Peter's sermon in Acts 10 (life, death, resurrection, commission) became a proto-kerygma, a foundational pattern for presenting the Gospel in the early church.
• The phrase "hanging on a tree" not only denotes the method of execution but subtly foreshadows the theological depth found in Paul's later epistles regarding Christ's redemptive work in bearing the Law's curse. It implicitly sets up the "curse lifted" theme without fully elaborating on it, allowing the listeners to first grasp the historical reality.
• Peter, previously intimidated (Lk 22:54-62), now boldly and publicly recounts the ignominious death of his Lord, demonstrating the transformative power of the Holy Spirit and the resurrection upon his faith. This serves as an example of courageous witness.

Acts 10 39 Commentary

Acts 10:39 is a crucial summary within Peter's inaugural Gentile sermon, concisely presenting the bedrock of the apostolic message. It transitions from Jesus's active, public ministry (which the apostles directly observed) to the pivotal event of His death. The emphasis on "we are witnesses" validates the Gospel not as myth but as verifiable historical fact, testified by those who physically accompanied Jesus. Peter's geographical markers – "land of the Jews and Jerusalem" – underscore the public, open nature of Jesus's life, disallowing any notion of a hidden cult. The raw declaration that "they put Him to death by hanging on a tree" confronting both Jewish and Roman cultural sensitivities: a cursed death under Jewish law, and a brutal punishment under Roman law. This presentation lays the foundation for understanding Jesus as the Anointed One who both lived a righteous life and voluntarily endured a shameful, cursed death for humanity, before His divine vindication through resurrection. It's a statement of historical fact upon which theological truth is built for a new, inclusive community.