Acts 10 41

Acts 10:41 kjv

Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.

Acts 10:41 nkjv

not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead.

Acts 10:41 niv

He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen?by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.

Acts 10:41 esv

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

Acts 10:41 nlt

not to the general public, but to us whom God had chosen in advance to be his witnesses. We were those who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.

Acts 10 verses

Acts 10 41 Meaning

The verse signifies that Jesus, the risen Christ, was visibly presented to chosen witnesses after His resurrection. He continued to live among His followers for a period of forty days, instructing them and revealing God's kingdom. This period was crucial for solidifying their faith and preparing them for their mission.

Acts 10 41 Context

Chapter 1 of Acts focuses on the period immediately following Jesus' resurrection and preceding His ascension into heaven. It establishes the continuity of Jesus' ministry on earth and His divine authority. The disciples, having witnessed Jesus' triumphant return and continued interactions, are being prepared for their future mission. The emphasis is on the certainty of Christ's resurrection and the divine plan unfolding through Him. The historical backdrop is Jerusalem in the immediate aftermath of Jesus' crucifixion, a time of great anticipation and uncertainty among His followers.

Acts 10 41 Word Analysis

• And (καὶ - kai): A coordinating conjunction, linking clauses and indicating addition or continuation.
• he (αὐτός - autos): Pronoun, referring back to Jesus Christ.
• presented (παρεστήσεν - paresten): Aorist active indicative of παρίστημι (paristēmi). Literally "to stand beside" or "to present." Here, it emphasizes a clear and deliberate unveiling or manifestation of Himself. This isn't a casual appearance but a purposeful showing.
• himself (αὐτὸν - auton): Accusative form of αὐτός (autos), reinforcing that Jesus presented Himself.
• alive (ζῶντα - zōnta): Accusative present active participle of ζάω (zaō), "to live." It stresses the living, vital reality of His resurrected body.
• to (αὐτοῖς - autois): Dative of αὐτός (autos), meaning "to them" – the disciples.
• them (οἷς - hois): Dative relative pronoun, "to whom," referring back to the disciples mentioned.
• that (ἔδειξεν - edixen): Aorist active indicative of δείκνυμι (deiknymi), "to show," "to point out," "to demonstrate." This signifies a clear and evident demonstration of His resurrected state.
• during (διὰ - dia): Preposition indicating "through," "by means of," or "during."
• forty (τεσσαράκοντα - tessarakonta): Cardinal numeral, forty.
• days (ἡμερῶν - hēmerōn): Genitive plural of ἡμέρα (hēmera), "day." The duration emphasizes a significant period of instruction and preparation.
• speaking (λαλῶν - lalōn): Present active participle of λαλέω (laleō), "to talk," "to speak." This denotes continuous verbal interaction.
• of (περὶ - peri): Preposition, often meaning "about" or "concerning."
• the (τὰ - ta): Neuter plural definite article, referring to the things spoken about.
• things (τῆς - tēs): Genitive feminine singular article, showing possession or specification.
• concerning (βασιλείας - basileias): Genitive singular of βασιλεία (basileia), "kingdom." The genitive case shows the subject matter of His speaking.
• kingdom (τοῦ Θεοῦ - tou Theou): Genitive singular of ὁ Θεός (ho Theos), "God." The focus is on God's rule and reign, particularly as it is established through Christ's redemptive work and His ongoing work in the Church.

Word Group Analysis

• He presented himself alive to them: This phrase is crucial for establishing the historicity of the resurrection. The use of "presented" (paresten) implies a deliberate and evident appearance, not a ghostly or imagined one. The repetition of "himself" (autos) and the participle "alive" (zōnta) reinforces the reality of Jesus' physical, resurrected state. This directly counters any denial of the bodily resurrection.
• during forty days: The specific duration of "forty days" carries significant weight in biblical narrative, often representing a period of testing, purification, or divine revelation (e.g., Moses on Sinai, Elijah's journey, the Israelites' wandering). It indicates a sufficient and ordained period for the disciples to process the profound events and receive final instructions.
• speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God: The consistent theme of Jesus' teaching during this post-resurrection period was the "kingdom of God." This underscores that His resurrection was not merely a personal triumph but the inauguration and confirmation of God's sovereign rule being powerfully manifested and extended through Him. It was about preparing them to be witnesses of this kingdom's ongoing establishment.

Acts 10 41 Bonus Section

The duration of forty days is deeply resonant within biblical tradition. It's a number that signifies a complete period of divine activity, preparation, or judgment. From the forty days of rain during Noah's flood, to Moses' forty days and nights on Mount Sinai receiving the Law, and Elijah's forty-day journey to Mount Horeb, this period consistently marks transformative encounters with God. Jesus' forty days of post-resurrection appearances serve as the ultimate culmination of these themes, a period of intense divine revelation and preparation for a new covenant era. The specific audience of "chosen witnesses" is key; their firsthand account would form the bedrock of the Apostolic witness. His instruction focused on the Kingdom of God, clarifying that the messianic reign had indeed arrived, not as a political kingdom, but a spiritual one, progressively expanding.

Acts 10 41 Commentary

This verse encapsulates the critical period of Jesus' post-resurrection appearances. It is not merely an anecdote but foundational to Christian theology, proving the reality of Christ's victory over death. The forty-day span served as a vital transition, transitioning the disciples from a state of grief and bewilderment to empowered witnesses. His continued discourse on the Kingdom of God affirmed His authority and the scope of His mission—establishing God's reign in the hearts of men and the world. These appearances were carefully orchestrated, "chosen witnesses" ensuring credible testimony. The physical manifestation of Jesus directly counters early Gnostic ideas that denied His corporeal resurrection.

Practical Application:

• Faith in the Resurrection: Recognizing Jesus' tangible, post-resurrection life encourages our own faith, knowing He truly overcame death for us.
• Understanding God's Kingdom: His teaching during this time reminds us that the gospel message is fundamentally about God's sovereign rule and its advancement on earth.
• Preparedness for Mission: Just as Jesus prepared His disciples, we too are called to understand God's plan and be ready to share it, empowered by the Holy Spirit.