Acts 13:24 kjv
When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
Acts 13:24 nkjv
after John had first preached, before His coming, the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
Acts 13:24 niv
Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel.
Acts 13:24 esv
Before his coming, John had proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
Acts 13:24 nlt
Before he came, John the Baptist preached that all the people of Israel needed to repent of their sins and turn to God and be baptized.
Acts 13 24 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 40:3 | "A voice cries: 'In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.'" | Prophecy of the Messiah's herald |
| Mal 3:1 | "Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me..." | Prophecy of the forerunner |
| Mt 3:1-2 | "In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.'" | John's central message and timing |
| Mt 3:6 | "...they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins." | Practical response to John's ministry |
| Mk 1:1-4 | "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ... John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance..." | John's ministry as gospel's commencement |
| Lk 3:3 | "And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins." | John's ministry scope and purpose |
| Jn 1:6-8 | "There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light..." | John's divine commission to witness |
| Jn 1:26-27 | "John answered them, 'I baptize with water... He who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.'" | Distinction of John's role from Jesus |
| Acts 1:22 | "...beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness..." | John's baptism as starting point for ministry |
| Acts 10:37 | "...the message about Jesus Christ, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed..." | Geographic spread starting with John |
| Acts 19:3-4 | "And he said, 'Into what then were you baptized?' They said, 'Into John's baptism.' And Paul said, 'John baptized with a baptism of repentance...'" | Clarifying John's baptism vs. Christian baptism |
| Mt 11:11 | "Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist..." | John's unique importance in salvation history |
| Mt 14:1-12 | Herod's execution of John. | John's martyr death for truth |
| Mk 1:7-8 | "After me comes he who is mightier than I... I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." | Foreshadowing of Holy Spirit baptism |
| Lk 1:16-17 | "And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God... to make ready for the Lord a people prepared." | John's mission to prepare Israel |
| Deut 30:2-3 | "when you return to the LORD your God... then the LORD your God will restore your fortunes..." | Principle of national repentance and restoration |
| Jer 31:33 | "...I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts." | Internal transformation echoing repentance |
| Ezek 36:26 | "I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you..." | God's work of inner renewal and repentance |
| Amos 5:4 | "For thus says the LORD to the house of Israel: 'Seek me and live...'" | Divine call for people to turn to God |
| Acts 2:38 | "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins..." | Christian call to repentance and baptism |
| 2 Cor 7:10 | "For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation..." | Nature of true, saving repentance |
| Heb 6:1-2 | "...foundational instruction about repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about baptisms..." | John's baptism as a preparatory doctrine |
| Mt 21:32 | "For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him." | The division caused by John's ministry |
Acts 13 verses
Acts 13 24 Meaning
Acts 13:24 conveys that immediately preceding Jesus' public ministry, John the Baptist, in fulfillment of prophetic roles, publicly declared a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. This pre-Messianic proclamation was divinely ordained to prepare the Jewish nation for the advent and work of their promised Messiah. John's message was a direct call to a fundamental change of heart and direction, accompanied by the outward sign of water baptism, signifying the nation's readiness to receive the kingdom of God that Jesus would inaugurate.
Acts 13 24 Context
Acts 13:24 is part of Paul's inaugural recorded sermon in Pisidian Antioch's synagogue. Addressing a mixed audience of Jews and God-fearing Gentiles, Paul provides a sweeping historical overview of Israel, starting from the Exodus, the Judges, King Saul, and most notably, King David, from whose lineage God promised to bring forth the Savior, Jesus. Within this narrative, Paul presents John the Baptist's ministry as the immediate and necessary precursor to Jesus' public ministry. John's role was to prepare the way by calling the entire nation of Israel to repentance, setting the stage for the true Messiah whom God had raised up from David's seed (Acts 13:23). This contextualizes John as a key figure in God's redemptive plan, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy and confirming Jesus' messianic credentials.
Acts 13 24 Word analysis
- πρὸ (pro) - "before": A preposition indicating time, emphasizing that John's proclamation was a preceding event to Jesus' full public appearance and ministry. It signifies sequential order and preparation.
- προσώπου (prosōpou) - "face," "presence," "coming": In this construct "πρὸ προσώπου" (pro prosopou) it means "before the face of" or "before the presence/coming." Here, it points to the immediacy and proximity of Jesus' arrival on the public scene.
- τῆς εἰσόδου (tēs eisodou) - "of the entrance," "of the coming in": Refers to Jesus' public entry into His ministry and His redemptive work among people. It signifies His full public revelation.
- αὐτοῦ (autou) - "His": The possessive pronoun, clearly indicating that the "coming" or "entrance" referred to is that of Jesus the Messiah, linking John's ministry directly to Jesus.
- Ἰωάννης (Iōannēs) - "John": Specifically John the Baptist, identified consistently throughout the Gospels and Acts as the divinely appointed herald and forerunner of the Messiah. His name means "Yahweh is gracious."
- προεκήρυξεν (proekēryxen) - "had proclaimed beforehand," "announced": A strong verb meaning to herald, preach, or make a public announcement. The prefix "pro-" further emphasizes the 'beforehand' nature, highlighting John's role as a preparatory prophet. This indicates an authoritative, public declaration.
- βάπτισμα (baptisma) - "baptism," "immersion": Refers to the rite of water immersion that John administered. This was not yet Christian baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but a unique, symbolic washing that visually accompanied one's turning from sin.
- μετανοίας (metanoias) - "of repentance": A crucial concept signifying a change of mind and purpose, leading to a turning away from sin and toward God. It is an inner transformation that results in a change of behavior. John's baptism was intrinsically linked to this inner shift.
- παντὶ (panti) - "to all": Indicates the comprehensive scope of John's message. It was not exclusive to a specific sect or group but directed broadly.
- τῷ λαῷ (tō laō) - "the people": Refers specifically to the covenant people. In this context, it emphasizes the national scope of John's mission.
- Ἰσραήλ (Israēl) - "Israel": The nation, the descendants of Jacob. John's ministry was specifically targeted at the Jewish people, God's chosen nation, preparing them to receive their long-awaited Messiah.
- "before his coming, John": This phrase immediately establishes the prophetic sequence and divine orchestration. John's ministry was not random but perfectly timed and positioned as a direct precursor to Jesus. It emphasizes John's role as the fulfillment of prophecies concerning the Messiah's forerunner (Mal 3:1; Isa 40:3).
- "had proclaimed a baptism of repentance": This highlights the core of John's message and ministry. His preaching centered on an internal transformation—repentance (metanoia)—demonstrated outwardly through baptism. This was distinct from mere ceremonial washings or proselyte baptisms, demanding a genuine moral and spiritual turning from sin towards God, preparing individuals for the approaching kingdom.
- "to all the people of Israel": This clarifies the breadth and national focus of John's mission. His message was not limited to a select few but extended as a widespread call to the entire covenant community, underlining God's gracious invitation to His people. This underscores the comprehensive nature of the preparatory work.
Acts 13 24 Bonus section
- The emphasis on "all the people of Israel" indirectly counters any notion of an exclusive or sectarian preparatory movement; John's call was truly national.
- Paul’s inclusion of John the Baptist in his sermon serves to validate Jesus' messiahship by showing how He fulfilled prophecies regarding His forerunner, lending further credibility to the Gospel being proclaimed.
- John's "baptism of repentance" was a critical theological bridge. It pointed to an immediate change in heart and life in anticipation of the kingdom, differing from ceremonial washings (which might not require inner change) and distinct from Christian baptism in the Spirit (which comes after acceptance of Christ). It provided a concrete demonstration of turning towards God prior to Christ's full revelation.
Acts 13 24 Commentary
Acts 13:24 serves as a vital historical and theological link in Paul's sermon, demonstrating God's consistent plan for redemption. John the Baptist, identified as the divinely appointed herald, actively engaged in a widespread public ministry of proclamation, calling the entire nation of Israel to genuine repentance. His "baptism of repentance" was a powerful, symbolic act demonstrating an individual's inward change of heart and preparation for the promised Messiah's imminent arrival. This verse confirms that Jesus' public advent was not an unexpected event, but carefully prepared for by God's own messenger. John's work was preparatory, calling for a moral and spiritual cleansing necessary for the reception of the Lord. His baptism prepared people for Christ's atoning work, which alone grants forgiveness of sins. This emphasizes a key progression in salvation history: the law prepared for Christ, John prepared for Christ, and Christ brings salvation.