King James Version
Acts 2
47 verses with commentary
The Day of Pentecost
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>When the day of Pentecost was fully come</strong> (ἐν τῷ συμπληροῦσθαι)—The timing was sovereignly appointed, not accidental. Pentecost (Greek for 'fiftieth') occurred fifty days after Passover, fulfilling Jesus' promise of 'not many days hence' (1:5). <strong>They were all with one accord</strong> (ὁμοθυμαδόν) emphasizes unity—this Greek word appears eleven times in Acts, always denoting ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
II.
(1) **When the day of Pentecost was fully** come.—It is natural to assume a purpose in the divine choice of the day on which the disciples were thus to receive the promise of the Father. That choice may have been determined, if one may so speak, either in view of the circumstances of the feast, or of its history and symbolic fitness.
(1) Of all the feasts of the Jewish year, it was that which ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Joh 19:31-42. Burial of Christ.
**31-37. the preparation--**sabbath eve.
**that the bodies should not remain--**over night, against the Mosaic law (De 21:22, 23).
**on the sabbath day, for that sabbath day was an high day--**or "great" day--the first day of unleavened bread, and, as concurring with an ordinary sabbath, the most solemn season of the ecclesiastical year. Hence their peculiar je...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 2
Chapter Outline
The descent of the Holy Spirit at the day of Pentecost.(1-4)
The apostles speak in divers languages.(5-13)
Peter's address to the Jews.(14-36)
Three thousand souls converted.(37-41)
The piety and affection of the disciples.(42-47)
**Verses 1-4**
We cannot forget how often, while their Master was with them there were strifes among the disciple...
Read full commentary →And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>A sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind</strong>—The Greek 'ēchos' (sound) and 'pheromenēs pnoēs' (rushing wind) evoke the Spirit's Old Testament associations with breath and wind (ruach). <strong>It filled all the house</strong> demonstrates the Spirit's comprehensive presence, not partial or selective. The audible, physical phenomena authenticated the invisible spiritual reality—...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2) Each aspect of the old Feast of Weeks, now known as Pentecost, or the “Fiftieth-day” Feast, presented a symbolic meaning which made it, in greater or less measure, typical of the work now about to be accomplished. It was the “feast of harvest, the feast of the firstfruits;” and so it was meet that it should witness the first great gathering of the fields that were white to harvest (Exodus 23:1...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Joh 19:31-42. Burial of Christ.
**31-37. the preparation--**sabbath eve.
**that the bodies should not remain--**over night, against the Mosaic law (De 21:22, 23).
**on the sabbath day, for that sabbath day was an high day--**or "great" day--the first day of unleavened bread, and, as concurring with an ordinary sabbath, the most solemn season of the ecclesiastical year. Hence their peculiar je...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 2
Chapter Outline
The descent of the Holy Spirit at the day of Pentecost.(1-4)
The apostles speak in divers languages.(5-13)
Peter's address to the Jews.(14-36)
Three thousand souls converted.(37-41)
The piety and affection of the disciples.(42-47)
**Verses 1-4**
We cannot forget how often, while their Master was with them there were strifes among the disciple...
Read full commentary →And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
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KJV Study Commentary
The 'cloven tongues like as of fire' (Greek: diamerizomenai glōssai hōsei pyros) represent the visible manifestation of the Holy Spirit's descent at Pentecost. Fire symbolizes God's purifying presence throughout Scripture (Exodus 3:2, Isaiah 6:6-7), while the divided tongues signify the Spirit's distribution to each believer individually. This fulfills both John the Baptist's prophecy that Jesus w...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) Lastly, the Feast of Pentecost had—traditionally, at least—also a commemorative character. On that day—so it was computed by the later Rabbis, though the Book of Exodus (Exodus 19:1) seems to leave the matter in some uncertainty—the Israelites had encamped round Sinai, and there had been thunders and darkness and voices, and the great Laws had been proclaimed. It was, that is, an epoch-making ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Joh 19:31-42. Burial of Christ.
**31-37. the preparation--**sabbath eve.
**that the bodies should not remain--**over night, against the Mosaic law (De 21:22, 23).
**on the sabbath day, for that sabbath day was an high day--**or "great" day--the first day of unleavened bread, and, as concurring with an ordinary sabbath, the most solemn season of the ecclesiastical year. Hence their peculiar je...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 2
Chapter Outline
The descent of the Holy Spirit at the day of Pentecost.(1-4)
The apostles speak in divers languages.(5-13)
Peter's address to the Jews.(14-36)
Three thousand souls converted.(37-41)
The piety and affection of the disciples.(42-47)
**Verses 1-4**
We cannot forget how often, while their Master was with them there were strifes among the disciple...
Read full commentary →And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Filled with the Holy Ghost</strong> (ἐπλήσθησαν πνεύματος ἁγίου)—The aorist passive verb indicates God's sovereign action, not human achievement. This fulfills John the Baptist's prophecy (Luke 3:16) and Jesus' promise (Acts 1:5). <strong>Began to speak with other tongues</strong> (γλώσσαις λαλεῖν)—the Spirit's first manifestation was multilingual witness, enabling gospel proclamation to J...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost.**—The outward portent was but the sign of a greater spiritual wonder. As yet, though they had been taught to pray for the gift of the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13), and, we must believe, had found the answer to their prayer in secret and sacred influences and gradual growth in wisdom, they had never been conscious of its power as “filling” them—pervad...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Joh 19:31-42. Burial of Christ.
**31-37. the preparation--**sabbath eve.
**that the bodies should not remain--**over night, against the Mosaic law (De 21:22, 23).
**on the sabbath day, for that sabbath day was an high day--**or "great" day--the first day of unleavened bread, and, as concurring with an ordinary sabbath, the most solemn season of the ecclesiastical year. Hence their peculiar je...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 2
Chapter Outline
The descent of the Holy Spirit at the day of Pentecost.(1-4)
The apostles speak in divers languages.(5-13)
Peter's address to the Jews.(14-36)
Three thousand souls converted.(37-41)
The piety and affection of the disciples.(42-47)
**Verses 1-4**
We cannot forget how often, while their Master was with them there were strifes among the disciple...
Read full commentary →And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
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KJV Study Commentary
The gathering of 'devout men, out of every nation under heaven' providentially prepared for Pentecost's universal significance. These diaspora Jews represented the scattered nations from Genesis 11's Babel judgment, now being reversed through the Spirit's gift of languages. God's sovereignty orchestrated this convergence, ensuring the gospel would immediately spread to all known regions through ey...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5) **There were dwelling at Jerusalem.**—The phrase is one of frequent occurrence in St. Luke’s writings (Luke 13:4; Acts 1:19; Acts 4:16). As a word, it implied a more settled residence than the “sojourning” of Luke 24:18 (see Note), Hebrews 11:9, but was probably sufficiently wide in its range to include the worshippers who had come up to keep the feast.
**Devout men.**—For the meaning of the w...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Joh 19:31-42. Burial of Christ.
**31-37. the preparation--**sabbath eve.
**that the bodies should not remain--**over night, against the Mosaic law (De 21:22, 23).
**on the sabbath day, for that sabbath day was an high day--**or "great" day--the first day of unleavened bread, and, as concurring with an ordinary sabbath, the most solemn season of the ecclesiastical year. Hence their peculiar je...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 5-13**
The difference in languages which arose at Babel, has much hindered the spread of knowledge and religion. The instruments whom the Lord first employed in spreading the Christian religion, could have made no progress without this gift, which proved that their authority was from God.
Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. was: Gr. voice was made confounded: or, troubled in mind
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KJV Study Commentary
The multilingual miracle at Pentecost reverses Babel's curse (Genesis 11), signifying the gospel's universal scope. Each person hearing in their native tongue demonstrates the Spirit's power to overcome barriers and make salvation accessible to all nations. This supernatural sign validates the apostles' message.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) **When this was noised abroad. . . .**—Better *When there had been this voice, *or *utterance.* The word for “voice” is never used for rumour or report in the New Testament; always of some utterance—human (Matthew 3:3; Galatians 4:20), angelic (1Thessalonians 4:16; Revelation 5:11), or divine (Matthew 3:17; Matthew 17:5). In John 3:7 (see Note there) we find it used, in the same connection as ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Joh 19:31-42. Burial of Christ.
**31-37. the preparation--**sabbath eve.
**that the bodies should not remain--**over night, against the Mosaic law (De 21:22, 23).
**on the sabbath day, for that sabbath day was an high day--**or "great" day--the first day of unleavened bread, and, as concurring with an ordinary sabbath, the most solemn season of the ecclesiastical year. Hence their peculiar je...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 5-13**
The difference in languages which arose at Babel, has much hindered the spread of knowledge and religion. The instruments whom the Lord first employed in spreading the Christian religion, could have made no progress without this gift, which proved that their authority was from God.
And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another , Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
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KJV Study Commentary
The crowd's amazement at hearing Galileans speak in various tongues reveals God's sovereign reversal of human pride. Galilee, despised for its provincial accent and mixed population, became the instrument of divine revelation. The Greek 'existanto' (were amazed) expresses profound astonishment bordering on confusion - human wisdom cannot comprehend God's methods of exalting the humble.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(7) **They were all amazed and marvelled.**—It will be noted that this is precisely in accordance with what St. Paul describes as the effect of the gift of tongues. They were a “sign” to them that believed not, filling them with wonder, but the work of convincing and converting was left for the gift of prophecy (1Corinthians 14:22).
**Are not all these which speak Galilæans?**—This was, of course,...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**38-40. Joseph of Arimathea--**"a rich man" (Mt 27:57), thus fulfilling Is 53:9; "an honorable counsellor," a member of the Sanhedrim, and of good condition, "which also waited for the kingdom of God" (Mr 15:43), a devout expectant of Messiah's kingdom; "a good man and a just, the same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them" (Lu 23:50, 51--he had gone the length, perhaps, of dissenting...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 5-13**
The difference in languages which arose at Babel, has much hindered the spread of knowledge and religion. The instruments whom the Lord first employed in spreading the Christian religion, could have made no progress without this gift, which proved that their authority was from God.
And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
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KJV Study Commentary
The phrase 'wherein we were born' (Greek 'gennethe-men') emphasizes that the Spirit enabled perfect communication in native dialects, not mere foreign languages. This miraculous sign authenticated apostolic authority while demonstrating the gospel's accessibility to all nations. No linguistic barrier could hinder God's redemptive purposes - a foretaste of Revelation 7's vision of every tongue wors...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(8) **And how hear we every man in our** **own tongue?**—We have here, it is obvious, a composite utterance, in which the writer embodies the manifold expressions which came from those who represented the several nationalities that are afterwards enumerated.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**38-40. Joseph of Arimathea--**"a rich man" (Mt 27:57), thus fulfilling Is 53:9; "an honorable counsellor," a member of the Sanhedrim, and of good condition, "which also waited for the kingdom of God" (Mr 15:43), a devout expectant of Messiah's kingdom; "a good man and a just, the same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them" (Lu 23:50, 51--he had gone the length, perhaps, of dissenting...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 5-13**
The difference in languages which arose at Babel, has much hindered the spread of knowledge and religion. The instruments whom the Lord first employed in spreading the Christian religion, could have made no progress without this gift, which proved that their authority was from God.
Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
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KJV Study Commentary
This geographic catalog demonstrates the fulfillment of Acts 1:8's commission - 'unto the uttermost part of the earth.' The specific enumeration of Parthia (Persia's successor), Media, Elam, Mesopotamia, and surrounding regions shows God's meticulous care in reaching Abraham's scattered descendants and all nations descended from Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Each region represented a distinct cultural a...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(9-11) **Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites. . . .**—The list that follows is characteristic of the trained historian—trained, it may be, as in the school of Strabo (see *Introduction to St. Luke*)—who had carefully inquired what nations were represented at that great Pentecost, who had himself been present, at least, at one later Pentecost (Acts 21:15), and knew the kind of crowd that gathered to...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**38-40. Joseph of Arimathea--**"a rich man" (Mt 27:57), thus fulfilling Is 53:9; "an honorable counsellor," a member of the Sanhedrim, and of good condition, "which also waited for the kingdom of God" (Mr 15:43), a devout expectant of Messiah's kingdom; "a good man and a just, the same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them" (Lu 23:50, 51--he had gone the length, perhaps, of dissenting...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 5-13**
The difference in languages which arose at Babel, has much hindered the spread of knowledge and religion. The instruments whom the Lord first employed in spreading the Christian religion, could have made no progress without this gift, which proved that their authority was from God.
Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
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KJV Study Commentary
The mention of 'Phrygia, and Pamphylia' alongside Egypt and 'parts of Libya about Cyrene' traces the dispersion from both Assyrian captivity (722 BC) and Babylonian exile (586 BC). These geographic markers demonstrate how God used Israel's judgment and scattering to position witnesses throughout the world for this redemptive moment. What Satan meant for destruction, God orchestrated for global eva...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(10) **Strangers of Rome . . .**—Better, *the Romans who were sojourning there*—*i.e., *at Jerusalem. The verb is peculiar to St. Luke in the New Testament, and is used by him, as in Acts 17:18, of the strangers and visitors of a city.
**Jews and proselytes.**—The words may possibly be applicable to the whole preceding list; but they read more like a note specially emphasising the prominence of th...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**41-42. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new sepulchre--**The choice of this tomb was, on their part, dictated by the double circumstance that it was so near at hand, and by its belonging to a friend of the Lord; and as there was need of haste, even they would be struck with the providence which thus supplied it. "There laid they Jesus therefore, bec...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 5-13**
The difference in languages which arose at Babel, has much hindered the spread of knowledge and religion. The instruments whom the Lord first employed in spreading the Christian religion, could have made no progress without this gift, which proved that their authority was from God.
Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
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KJV Study Commentary
The phrase 'wonderful works of God' (Greek 'megaleia tou theou') encompasses both creation's majesty and redemption's power, climaxing in Christ's resurrection. That 'Cretes and Arabians' - representing western (Mediterranean) and eastern (desert) extremes - heard these truths demonstrates the cosmic scope of Pentecost's significance. The Spirit's arrival inaugurated the age when God's glory would...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(11) **The wonderful works of God.**—Better, *the great things, *or *the majesty, of God.* The word is the same as in Luke 1:49. The word points, as has been said above, distinctly to words of praise and not of teaching.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**41-42. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new sepulchre--**The choice of this tomb was, on their part, dictated by the double circumstance that it was so near at hand, and by its belonging to a friend of the Lord; and as there was need of haste, even they would be struck with the providence which thus supplied it. "There laid they Jesus therefore, bec...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 5-13**
The difference in languages which arose at Babel, has much hindered the spread of knowledge and religion. The instruments whom the Lord first employed in spreading the Christian religion, could have made no progress without this gift, which proved that their authority was from God.
And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?
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KJV Study Commentary
The dual response - amazement (Greek 'existanto') and doubt (v. 13's mockery) - typifies humanity's reaction to divine revelation. The honest inquiry 'What meaneth this?' represents genuine spiritual seeking, while others' ridicule demonstrates hardened hearts. This division fulfills Christ's prophecy that He came not to bring peace but a sword, separating those whom the Father draws from those wh...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(12) **They were all amazed, and were in doubt.**—The last word is somewhat stronger in the Greek: “were much perplexed,” as in Luke 24:4. No New Testament writer uses it except St. Luke.
**What meaneth this?**—Better, *What may this mean?* The same phrase occurs in Acts 17:18.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 5-13**
The difference in languages which arose at Babel, has much hindered the spread of knowledge and religion. The instruments whom the Lord first employed in spreading the Christian religion, could have made no progress without this gift, which proved that their authority was from God.
Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.
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KJV Study Commentary
The mockers' accusation of drunkenness ('full of new wine') reveals the natural mind's inability to comprehend spiritual realities (1 Corinthians 2:14). Their explanation reduced supernatural phenomena to carnal causes, a pattern repeated throughout church history when unregenerate reason confronts divine intervention. Paul would later connect being 'filled with the Spirit' versus 'drunk with wine...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(13) **These men are full of new wine.**—Literally, *of sweet drink*—the word “wine” not being used—stronger and more intoxicating than the lighter and thinner wines that were ordinarily drunk. The Greek word was sometimes used, like the Latin *mustum, *for the unfermented grape-juice. Here, however, the context shows that wine, in the strict sense of the word, was intended, and the use of the sam...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
CHAPTER 20 Joh 20:1-18. Mary's Visit to the Sepulchre, and Return to It with Peter and John--Her Risen Lord Appears to Her.
**1-2. The first day ... cometh Mary Magdalene early, &c.--**(See on Mr 16:1-4; and Mt 28:1, 2).
**she runneth and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre--**Dear discipl...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 5-13**
The difference in languages which arose at Babel, has much hindered the spread of knowledge and religion. The instruments whom the Lord first employed in spreading the Christian religion, could have made no progress without this gift, which proved that their authority was from God.
Peter's Sermon at Pentecost
But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
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KJV Study Commentary
Peter's authoritative address marks his transformation from denier to bold proclaimer. Standing 'with the eleven' emphasizes apostolic unity and shared authority. His appeal to 'all ye that dwell at Jerusalem' shows the gospel's immediate Jewish focus before expanding to Gentiles, following Jesus' pattern (Acts 1:8).
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(14) **But Peter, standing up with the eleven, . . .**—We are struck at once with the marvellous change that has come over the character of the Apostle. Timidity has become boldness; for the few hasty words recorded in the Gospels we have elaborate discourses. There is a method and insight in the way he deals with the prophecies of the Christ altogether unlike anything that we have seen in him bef...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
CHAPTER 20 Joh 20:1-18. Mary's Visit to the Sepulchre, and Return to It with Peter and John--Her Risen Lord Appears to Her.
**1-2. The first day ... cometh Mary Magdalene early, &c.--**(See on Mr 16:1-4; and Mt 28:1, 2).
**she runneth and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre--**Dear discipl...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 14-21**
Peter's sermon shows that he was thoroughly recovered from his fall, and thoroughly restored to the Divine favour; for he who had denied Christ, now boldly confessed him. His account of the miraculous pouring forth of the Spirit, was designed to awaken the hearers to embrace the faith of Christ, and to join themselves to his church. It was the fulfilling the Scripture, and the...
Read full commentary →For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.
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KJV Study Commentary
Peter's logical refutation - 'it is but the third hour of the day' (9 AM) - demonstrates that supernatural phenomena require supernatural explanation, not dismissive naturalism. The Reformed principle of using reason in service of faith appears here: Peter doesn't abandon logic but employs it to clear ground for scriptural exposition. True drunkenness wouldn't produce coherent multilingual proclam...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(15) **Seeing it is but the third hour of the day.**—The appeal is made to the common standard of right feeling. Drunkenness belonged to the night (1Thessalonians 5:7). It was a mark of extremest baseness for men to “rise up early in the morning that they may follow strong drink” (Isaiah 5:11; comp. also Ecclesiastes 10:16). “Were the disciples likely to be drunk at 9 a. m., and that on the mornin...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**3-10. Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came first to the sepulchre--**These particulars have a singular air of artless truth about them. Mary, in her grief, runs to the two apostles who were soon to be so closely associated in proclaiming the Saviour's resurrection, and they, followed by Mary, hasten to see with their own eyes. The younger disciple outruns the older; love...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 14-21**
Peter's sermon shows that he was thoroughly recovered from his fall, and thoroughly restored to the Divine favour; for he who had denied Christ, now boldly confessed him. His account of the miraculous pouring forth of the Spirit, was designed to awaken the hearers to embrace the faith of Christ, and to join themselves to his church. It was the fulfilling the Scripture, and the...
Read full commentary →But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
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KJV Study Commentary
Peter's declaration 'this is that' marks a pivotal hermeneutical moment - Old Testament prophecy finding New Testament fulfillment. The Greek 'touto estin' (this is) asserts direct correspondence between Joel's vision and Pentecost's reality. This interpretive method, authorized by the Spirit Himself, becomes normative for understanding how Christ fulfills all prophetic promises. The apostles didn...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**3-10. Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came first to the sepulchre--**These particulars have a singular air of artless truth about them. Mary, in her grief, runs to the two apostles who were soon to be so closely associated in proclaiming the Saviour's resurrection, and they, followed by Mary, hasten to see with their own eyes. The younger disciple outruns the older; love...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 14-21**
Peter's sermon shows that he was thoroughly recovered from his fall, and thoroughly restored to the Divine favour; for he who had denied Christ, now boldly confessed him. His account of the miraculous pouring forth of the Spirit, was designed to awaken the hearers to embrace the faith of Christ, and to join themselves to his church. It was the fulfilling the Scripture, and the...
Read full commentary →And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>In the last days</strong> (ἐν ταῖς ἐσχάταις ἡμέραις)—Peter quotes Joel 2:28-32, interpreting Pentecost as inaugurating the eschatological age. The 'last days' span from Christ's first coming to his return, an extended epoch of Spirit outpouring. <strong>I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh</strong> signals democratization of the Spirit's presence—no longer limited to prophets, pries...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(17) **It shall come to pass in the last days.**—The prophecy of Joel takes its place, with the exception, perhaps, of Hosea, as the oldest of the prophetic books of the Old Testament. The people were suffering from one of the locust-plagues of the East and its consequent famine. The prophet calls them to repentance, and promises this gift of the Spirit as the great blessing of a far-off future. H...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**3-10. Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came first to the sepulchre--**These particulars have a singular air of artless truth about them. Mary, in her grief, runs to the two apostles who were soon to be so closely associated in proclaiming the Saviour's resurrection, and they, followed by Mary, hasten to see with their own eyes. The younger disciple outruns the older; love...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 14-21**
Peter's sermon shows that he was thoroughly recovered from his fall, and thoroughly restored to the Divine favour; for he who had denied Christ, now boldly confessed him. His account of the miraculous pouring forth of the Spirit, was designed to awaken the hearers to embrace the faith of Christ, and to join themselves to his church. It was the fulfilling the Scripture, and the...
Read full commentary →And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
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KJV Study Commentary
Joel's prophecy of the Spirit poured on 'servants' and 'handmaidens' demonstrates the New Covenant's radical egalitarianism - social status cannot limit the Spirit's distribution. The Greek 'doulois' (slaves) and 'doulais' (female slaves) shows that the lowest social classes receive the same Spirit as apostles and prophets. This contradicts worldly hierarchy, where power flows downward; in God's e...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(18) **And on my servants and on my handmaidens . . .**—This was the culminating point of the joyous prediction. Not on priests only, or those who had been trained in the schools of the prophets, but on slaves, male and female, should that gift be poured by Him who was no respecter of persons. The life of Amos, the herdsman of Tekoa, the “gatherer of sycomore fruit” (Amos 1:1; Amos 7:14), was, per...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**3-10. Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came first to the sepulchre--**These particulars have a singular air of artless truth about them. Mary, in her grief, runs to the two apostles who were soon to be so closely associated in proclaiming the Saviour's resurrection, and they, followed by Mary, hasten to see with their own eyes. The younger disciple outruns the older; love...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 14-21**
Peter's sermon shows that he was thoroughly recovered from his fall, and thoroughly restored to the Divine favour; for he who had denied Christ, now boldly confessed him. His account of the miraculous pouring forth of the Spirit, was designed to awaken the hearers to embrace the faith of Christ, and to join themselves to his church. It was the fulfilling the Scripture, and the...
Read full commentary →And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:
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KJV Study Commentary
Joel's 'wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath' encompass both cosmic upheaval and earthly testimony to God's judgment and salvation. The imagery of 'blood, fire, and vapor of smoke' evokes both Sinai's theophany and eschatological judgment. Peter applies this to the 'last days' inaugurated at Pentecost, suggesting the entire church age exists under these signs' shadow, awaiting f...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(19) **And I will shew wonders in heaven above**.—St. Peter quotes the words of terror that follow, apparently, for the sake of the promise with which they end in Acts 2:21. But as it was not given to him as yet to know the times and the seasons (Acts 1:7), it may well have been that he looked for the “great and notable day” as about to come in his own time. The imagery is drawn as from one of the...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**3-10. Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came first to the sepulchre--**These particulars have a singular air of artless truth about them. Mary, in her grief, runs to the two apostles who were soon to be so closely associated in proclaiming the Saviour's resurrection, and they, followed by Mary, hasten to see with their own eyes. The younger disciple outruns the older; love...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 14-21**
Peter's sermon shows that he was thoroughly recovered from his fall, and thoroughly restored to the Divine favour; for he who had denied Christ, now boldly confessed him. His account of the miraculous pouring forth of the Spirit, was designed to awaken the hearers to embrace the faith of Christ, and to join themselves to his church. It was the fulfilling the Scripture, and the...
Read full commentary →The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:
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KJV Study Commentary
The Day of the Lord - 'great and notable' (Greek 'epiphane', shining forth) - represents both terror for the impenitent and triumph for believers. This day encompasses judgment and salvation simultaneously, as seen in Christ's first advent which brought both condemnation for rejecting Jews and salvation for believing remnant. The sun turning to darkness and moon to blood symbolize the overturning ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(20) **The sun shall be turned into darkness.**—Both clauses bring before us the phenomena of an eclipse: the total darkness of the sun, the dusky copper hue of the moon. Signs, of which these were but faint images, had been predicted by our Lord, echoing, as it were, the words of Joel, as among the preludes of His Advent (Matthew 24:29).
**That great and notable day.**—St. Luke follows the LXX. v...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**3-10. Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came first to the sepulchre--**These particulars have a singular air of artless truth about them. Mary, in her grief, runs to the two apostles who were soon to be so closely associated in proclaiming the Saviour's resurrection, and they, followed by Mary, hasten to see with their own eyes. The younger disciple outruns the older; love...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 14-21**
Peter's sermon shows that he was thoroughly recovered from his fall, and thoroughly restored to the Divine favour; for he who had denied Christ, now boldly confessed him. His account of the miraculous pouring forth of the Spirit, was designed to awaken the hearers to embrace the faith of Christ, and to join themselves to his church. It was the fulfilling the Scripture, and the...
Read full commentary →And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved</strong>—Peter concludes Joel's prophecy with the gospel promise. The Greek 'epikalēsetai' (call upon) implies more than verbal invocation—it denotes dependence, trust, and covenant relationship. <strong>The name of the Lord</strong> in Joel's context meant Yahweh; Peter applies it to Jesus (see v.36), equating Christ with Israel'...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(21) **Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord . . .**—Singularly enough, the precise phrase, to “call upon” God, common as it is in the Old Testament, does not occur in the Gospels. With St. Luke and St. Paul it is, as it were, a favourite word (Acts 7:59; Acts 9:14; Romans 10:12; 1Corinthians 1:2). Its Greek associations gave to the “invoking” which it expressed almost the force of an appea...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**3-10. Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came first to the sepulchre--**These particulars have a singular air of artless truth about them. Mary, in her grief, runs to the two apostles who were soon to be so closely associated in proclaiming the Saviour's resurrection, and they, followed by Mary, hasten to see with their own eyes. The younger disciple outruns the older; love...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 14-21**
Peter's sermon shows that he was thoroughly recovered from his fall, and thoroughly restored to the Divine favour; for he who had denied Christ, now boldly confessed him. His account of the miraculous pouring forth of the Spirit, was designed to awaken the hearers to embrace the faith of Christ, and to join themselves to his church. It was the fulfilling the Scripture, and the...
Read full commentary →Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
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KJV Study Commentary
Peter's sermon centers on Jesus' identity validated through miracles, wonders, and signs—three terms emphasizing different aspects of supernatural authentication. The phrase 'delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God' establishes divine sovereignty over the crucifixion while maintaining human responsibility ('ye have taken').
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(22) **Jesus of Nazareth.**—We hardly estimate, as we read them, the boldness implied in the utterance of that Name. Barely seven weeks had passed since He who bore it had died the death of a slave and of a robber. The speaker himself had denied all knowledge of Him of whom he now spoke.
**A man approved of God.**—The verb is used in its older English sense, as proved, or *pointed out, *not as we ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**3-10. Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came first to the sepulchre--**These particulars have a singular air of artless truth about them. Mary, in her grief, runs to the two apostles who were soon to be so closely associated in proclaiming the Saviour's resurrection, and they, followed by Mary, hasten to see with their own eyes. The younger disciple outruns the older; love...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 22-36**
From this gift of the Holy Ghost, Peter preaches unto them Jesus: and here is the history of Christ. Here is an account of his death and sufferings, which they witnessed but a few weeks before. His death is considered as God's act; and of wonderful grace and wisdom. Thus Divine justice must be satisfied, God and man brought together again, and Christ himself glorified, accordi...
Read full commentary →Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
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KJV Study Commentary
This verse presents the paradox of divine sovereignty and human responsibility. Jesus was 'delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God' - His crucifixion was ordained before creation (Revelation 13:8). Yet perpetrators acted 'by wicked hands' and are culpable. This mystery safeguards both God's absolute control over history and human moral accountability. The Greek 'horismene bou...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(23) **By the determinate counsel and fore knowledge of God.**—The adjective meets us again in St. Peter’s speech in Acts 10:42; the word for “foreknowledge in his Epistle (1Peter 1:2), and there only in the New Testament. The coincidence is not without its force as bearing on the genuineness both of the speech and of the letter. It has now become the habit of the Apostle’s mind to trace the worki...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**11-15. But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping, &c.--**Brief was the stay of those two men. But Mary, arriving perhaps by another direction after they left, lingers at the spot, weeping for her missing Lord. As she gazes through her tears on the open tomb, she also ventures to stoop down and look into it, when lo! "two angels in white" (as from the world of light, and see on Mt 28:3)...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 22-36**
From this gift of the Holy Ghost, Peter preaches unto them Jesus: and here is the history of Christ. Here is an account of his death and sufferings, which they witnessed but a few weeks before. His death is considered as God's act; and of wonderful grace and wisdom. Thus Divine justice must be satisfied, God and man brought together again, and Christ himself glorified, accordi...
Read full commentary →Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.
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KJV Study Commentary
Christ's resurrection was necessary because 'it was not possible that he should be holden' by death. The Greek 'ouk en dunaton' (not possible) asserts metaphysical impossibility - death had no legal claim on the sinless one. Having satisfied justice's demands, Christ possessed inherent right to life. God 'loosed the pains of death' (Greek 'lusas tas odinas'), using birth imagery - death's labor pa...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(24) **Whom God hath raised up.**—It is probable enough that some rumours of the Resurrection had found their way among the people, and had been met by the counter-statement of which we read in Matthew 28:11-15; but this was the first public witness, borne by one who was ready to seal his testimony with his blood, to the stupendous fact.
**Having loosed the pains of death.**—The word for “pains” i...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**11-15. But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping, &c.--**Brief was the stay of those two men. But Mary, arriving perhaps by another direction after they left, lingers at the spot, weeping for her missing Lord. As she gazes through her tears on the open tomb, she also ventures to stoop down and look into it, when lo! "two angels in white" (as from the world of light, and see on Mt 28:3)...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 22-36**
From this gift of the Holy Ghost, Peter preaches unto them Jesus: and here is the history of Christ. Here is an account of his death and sufferings, which they witnessed but a few weeks before. His death is considered as God's act; and of wonderful grace and wisdom. Thus Divine justice must be satisfied, God and man brought together again, and Christ himself glorified, accordi...
Read full commentary →For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
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KJV Study Commentary
David's words 'I foresaw the Lord always before my face' establish Christ's perfect communion with the Father throughout His humiliation. The Greek 'proörömēn' (foresaw) indicates constant, unbroken awareness of God's presence. This sustained Christ through Gethsemane and Golgotha. Because the Father was 'on my right hand,' Christ experienced immovable confidence despite hell's assault. This model...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(25) **For David speaketh concerning him.**—More accurately, *in reference to Him*—*i.e., *in words which extended to Him. Reading Psalms 16 without this interpretation, it seems as if it spoke only of the confidence of the writer that he would be himself delivered from the grave and death. Some interpreters confine that confidence to a temporal deliverance; some extend it to the thought of immort...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**11-15. But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping, &c.--**Brief was the stay of those two men. But Mary, arriving perhaps by another direction after they left, lingers at the spot, weeping for her missing Lord. As she gazes through her tears on the open tomb, she also ventures to stoop down and look into it, when lo! "two angels in white" (as from the world of light, and see on Mt 28:3)...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 22-36**
From this gift of the Holy Ghost, Peter preaches unto them Jesus: and here is the history of Christ. Here is an account of his death and sufferings, which they witnessed but a few weeks before. His death is considered as God's act; and of wonderful grace and wisdom. Thus Divine justice must be satisfied, God and man brought together again, and Christ himself glorified, accordi...
Read full commentary →Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:
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KJV Study Commentary
David's joy ('my tongue was glad') and hope ('my flesh shall rest in hope') arise from resurrection confidence, not circumstances. The Greek 'kataskenösei' (shall rest) means 'to pitch one's tent' - a temporary dwelling awaiting permanent resurrection body. This hope sustained David through trials and sustains believers awaiting glorification. The body's rest in the grave is not defeat but confide...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(26) **My tongue was glad.**—The Hebrew gives “my glory,” a term which was applied to the mind of man, perhaps also to his faculty of speech (Psalm 57:8; Psalm 62:7), as that by which he excelled all other creatures of God’s hand. The LXX. had paraphrased the word by “tongue,” and St. Peter, or St. Luke reporting his speech, follows that version.
**Also my flesh shall rest in hope.**—Literally, *s...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**11-15. But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping, &c.--**Brief was the stay of those two men. But Mary, arriving perhaps by another direction after they left, lingers at the spot, weeping for her missing Lord. As she gazes through her tears on the open tomb, she also ventures to stoop down and look into it, when lo! "two angels in white" (as from the world of light, and see on Mt 28:3)...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 22-36**
From this gift of the Holy Ghost, Peter preaches unto them Jesus: and here is the history of Christ. Here is an account of his death and sufferings, which they witnessed but a few weeks before. His death is considered as God's act; and of wonderful grace and wisdom. Thus Divine justice must be satisfied, God and man brought together again, and Christ himself glorified, accordi...
Read full commentary →Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
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KJV Study Commentary
The promise 'thou wilt not leave my soul in hell' (Greek 'Hades,' the realm of the dead) guarantees Christ's descent into death and subsequent resurrection. The parallel phrase 'neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption' emphasizes bodily resurrection before decay begins. This refutes Gnostic contempt for physical resurrection while establishing Christ's sinlessness - only the 'Hol...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(27) **Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell.**—Literally, *in Hades.* (See Note on Matthew 11:23.) As interpreted by St. Peter’s words in his Epistle (1Peter 3:19), the words conveyed to his mind the thought which has been embodied in the article of the “Descent into Hell,” or *Hades, *in the Apostle’s Creed. The death of Christ was an actual death, and while the body was laid in the grave, the sou...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**11-15. But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping, &c.--**Brief was the stay of those two men. But Mary, arriving perhaps by another direction after they left, lingers at the spot, weeping for her missing Lord. As she gazes through her tears on the open tomb, she also ventures to stoop down and look into it, when lo! "two angels in white" (as from the world of light, and see on Mt 28:3)...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 22-36**
From this gift of the Holy Ghost, Peter preaches unto them Jesus: and here is the history of Christ. Here is an account of his death and sufferings, which they witnessed but a few weeks before. His death is considered as God's act; and of wonderful grace and wisdom. Thus Divine justice must be satisfied, God and man brought together again, and Christ himself glorified, accordi...
Read full commentary →Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.
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KJV Study Commentary
God making known 'the ways of life' refers to resurrection as the path to eternal life. The plural 'ways' (Greek 'hodous') suggests multiple aspects: Christ's resurrection way becomes our way (John 14:6). The promise of being filled 'with joy with thy countenance' anticipates eternal beatific vision - beholding God's face producing infinite satisfaction. This joy surpasses circumstantial happiness...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(28) **Thou hast made known to me the ways** of life.—The Apostle does not interpret these words, but we can hardly err in thinking that he would have looked on them also as fulfilled in Christ’s humanity, To Him also the ways of life had been made known, and so even in *Hades* He was filled with joy (better, perhaps, *gladness, *as in Acts 14:17), as being in the Paradise of God (Luke 23:43).
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**16-17. Jesus saith unto her, Mary--**It is not now the distant, though respectful, "Woman." It is the oft-repeated name, uttered, no doubt, with all the wonted manner, and bringing a rush of unutterable and overpowering associations with it.
**She turned herself, and saith to him, Rabboni!--**But that single word of transported recognition was not enough for woman's full heart. Not knowing the...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 22-36**
From this gift of the Holy Ghost, Peter preaches unto them Jesus: and here is the history of Christ. Here is an account of his death and sufferings, which they witnessed but a few weeks before. His death is considered as God's act; and of wonderful grace and wisdom. Thus Divine justice must be satisfied, God and man brought together again, and Christ himself glorified, accordi...
Read full commentary →Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. let me: or, I may
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KJV Study Commentary
Peter's rhetorical move - 'let me freely speak' (Greek 'meta parresías,' with boldness) - signals his shift from exposition to application. Acknowledging David's death and burial ('his sepulchre is with us unto this day') distinguishes patriarch from Messiah. The visible tomb proved David's words couldn't refer to himself, requiring prophetic interpretation. This hermeneutical principle - distingu...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(29) **Let me freely speak.**—Better, *it* *is lawful for me to speak with freedom.* Those to whom the Apostle spoke could not for a moment dream of asserting that the words quoted had been literally and completely fulfilled in him, and it was therefore natural to look for their fulfilment elsewhere.
**Of the patriarch David.**—The word is used in its primary sense, as meaning the founder of a fam...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**16-17. Jesus saith unto her, Mary--**It is not now the distant, though respectful, "Woman." It is the oft-repeated name, uttered, no doubt, with all the wonted manner, and bringing a rush of unutterable and overpowering associations with it.
**She turned herself, and saith to him, Rabboni!--**But that single word of transported recognition was not enough for woman's full heart. Not knowing the...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 22-36**
From this gift of the Holy Ghost, Peter preaches unto them Jesus: and here is the history of Christ. Here is an account of his death and sufferings, which they witnessed but a few weeks before. His death is considered as God's act; and of wonderful grace and wisdom. Thus Divine justice must be satisfied, God and man brought together again, and Christ himself glorified, accordi...
Read full commentary →Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;
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KJV Study Commentary
God's covenant oath to David that 'of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne' establishes Jesus' legal right to David's kingdom. The phrase 'according to the flesh' (Greek 'kata sarka') emphasizes Christ's genuine humanity through biological descent - He wasn't merely spiritual king but David's physical offspring through Mary. This fulfills 2 ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(30) **Therefore being a prophet.**—The words “according to the flesh, He would raise up Christ,” are wanting in many of the best MSS. Without them the sentence, though somewhat incomplete, would run thus: “That God had sworn with an oath *that from his loins one should sit upon his throne.”* The words claim for the Psalmist a prophetic foresight of some kind, without defining its measure or clear...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**18. Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her--**To a woman was this honor given to be the first that saw the risen R edeemer, and that woman was not His mother. (See on Mr 16:9).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 22-36**
From this gift of the Holy Ghost, Peter preaches unto them Jesus: and here is the history of Christ. Here is an account of his death and sufferings, which they witnessed but a few weeks before. His death is considered as God's act; and of wonderful grace and wisdom. Thus Divine justice must be satisfied, God and man brought together again, and Christ himself glorified, accordi...
Read full commentary →He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
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KJV Study Commentary
David, 'seeing this before' through prophetic foresight, 'spake of the resurrection of Christ.' The Greek 'proidön' (foreseeing) indicates supernatural vision beyond natural knowledge - the Spirit enabled David to witness Christ's resurrection prophetically. This establishes Scripture's organic unity: Old Testament authors, though not fully understanding their words, were genuine instruments of di...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(31) **He seeing this before**. . . .—In the vision of the future which St. Peter thus ascribes to David, the king had been led, as he interprets the words, not only or chiefly to speak out his own hopes, but to utter that which received its fulfilment in the fact of the resurrection. What was conspicuously not true of the historical David was found to be true of the Son of David according to the ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Joh 20:19-23. Jesus Appears to the Assembled Disciples.
**19-23. the same day at evening, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus--**plainly not by the ordinary way of entrance.
**and saith unto them Peace be unto you--**not the mere wish that even His own exalted peace might be theirs (Joh 14:27), but conveying it into...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 22-36**
From this gift of the Holy Ghost, Peter preaches unto them Jesus: and here is the history of Christ. Here is an account of his death and sufferings, which they witnessed but a few weeks before. His death is considered as God's act; and of wonderful grace and wisdom. Thus Divine justice must be satisfied, God and man brought together again, and Christ himself glorified, accordi...
Read full commentary →This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
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KJV Study Commentary
Peter's climactic declaration 'This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses' combines theological assertion with eyewitness testimony. The emphatic 'This Jesus' (Greek 'touton ton Iēsoun') identifies the historical Jesus of Nazareth with the resurrected Christ. The phrase 'we all are witnesses' (Greek 'martures') claims firsthand knowledge, establishing apostolic authority. Resurrec...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(32) **This Jesus hath God raised up . . .**—From the first the Apostles take up the position which their Lord had assigned them. They are witnesses, and before and above all else, witnesses of the Resurrection.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Joh 20:19-23. Jesus Appears to the Assembled Disciples.
**19-23. the same day at evening, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus--**plainly not by the ordinary way of entrance.
**and saith unto them Peace be unto you--**not the mere wish that even His own exalted peace might be theirs (Joh 14:27), but conveying it into...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 22-36**
From this gift of the Holy Ghost, Peter preaches unto them Jesus: and here is the history of Christ. Here is an account of his death and sufferings, which they witnessed but a few weeks before. His death is considered as God's act; and of wonderful grace and wisdom. Thus Divine justice must be satisfied, God and man brought together again, and Christ himself glorified, accordi...
Read full commentary →Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
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KJV Study Commentary
Christ's exaltation to God's 'right hand' - the position of supreme authority - precedes the Spirit's outpouring. The logical sequence matters: Christ must be glorified before the Spirit can be sent (John 7:39). Having 'received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost,' Christ actively pours out what the crowd witnessed. This establishes Trinitarian coordination in redemption: Father promises,...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(33) **Therefore being by the right hand of God.**—The Greek has the dative case without a preposition. The English version takes it, and probably is right in taking it, as the dative of the instrument, the image that underlies the phrase being that the Eternal King stretches forth His hand to raise Him who was in form His Servant to a place beside Him on His right hand; and, on the whole, this se...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Joh 20:19-23. Jesus Appears to the Assembled Disciples.
**19-23. the same day at evening, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus--**plainly not by the ordinary way of entrance.
**and saith unto them Peace be unto you--**not the mere wish that even His own exalted peace might be theirs (Joh 14:27), but conveying it into...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 22-36**
From this gift of the Holy Ghost, Peter preaches unto them Jesus: and here is the history of Christ. Here is an account of his death and sufferings, which they witnessed but a few weeks before. His death is considered as God's act; and of wonderful grace and wisdom. Thus Divine justice must be satisfied, God and man brought together again, and Christ himself glorified, accordi...
Read full commentary →For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
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KJV Study Commentary
Peter quotes Psalm 110:1 - 'The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand' - to prove Christ's deity and messianic identity. The Hebrew distinguishes Yahweh (LORD, covenant name) commanding Adonai (Lord, master) to sit enthroned. David calls his descendant 'Lord,' impossible unless this descendant is divine. Christ used this psalm to confound Pharisees (Matthew 22:41-46); Peter now wields ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(34) **The Lord said**. . . .—There is, when we remember what had passed but seven weeks before, something very striking in the reproduction by St. Peter of the very words by which our Lord had brought the scribes to confess their ignorance of the true interpretation of the Psalmist’s mysterious words (Psalm 110:1). (See Note on Matthew 22:44.) Those who were then silenced are now taught how it wa...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Joh 20:19-23. Jesus Appears to the Assembled Disciples.
**19-23. the same day at evening, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus--**plainly not by the ordinary way of entrance.
**and saith unto them Peace be unto you--**not the mere wish that even His own exalted peace might be theirs (Joh 14:27), but conveying it into...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 22-36**
From this gift of the Holy Ghost, Peter preaches unto them Jesus: and here is the history of Christ. Here is an account of his death and sufferings, which they witnessed but a few weeks before. His death is considered as God's act; and of wonderful grace and wisdom. Thus Divine justice must be satisfied, God and man brought together again, and Christ himself glorified, accordi...
Read full commentary →Until I make thy foes thy footstool .
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KJV Study Commentary
The promise that Christ reigns 'until I make thy foes thy footstool' establishes inaugurated eschatology - Christ rules now though enemies remain active. The Greek 'heös an' (until) doesn't terminate His reign but marks the period of patience before final judgment. The 'footstool' image (ancient kings placing feet on conquered enemies' necks) guarantees certain victory. This sustains believers: Ch...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Joh 20:19-23. Jesus Appears to the Assembled Disciples.
**19-23. the same day at evening, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus--**plainly not by the ordinary way of entrance.
**and saith unto them Peace be unto you--**not the mere wish that even His own exalted peace might be theirs (Joh 14:27), but conveying it into...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 22-36**
From this gift of the Holy Ghost, Peter preaches unto them Jesus: and here is the history of Christ. Here is an account of his death and sufferings, which they witnessed but a few weeks before. His death is considered as God's act; and of wonderful grace and wisdom. Thus Divine justice must be satisfied, God and man brought together again, and Christ himself glorified, accordi...
Read full commentary →Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
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KJV Study Commentary
Peter's climactic assertion proclaims Jesus as both Messiah ('Christ') and divine Lord ('Lord'), titles carrying profound theological weight. The contrast between Jewish crucifixion and God's vindication through resurrection establishes Christianity's central paradox. 'Let all the house of Israel know assuredly' demands response to inescapable truth.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(36) **That same Jesus**. . . .—Better, *this Jesus.*
**Both Lord and Christ.**—Some MSS. omit “both.” The word “Lord” is used with special reference to the prophetic utterance of the Psalm thus cited. There is a rhetorical force in the very order of the words which the English can scarcely give: “that both Lord and Christ hath God made this Jesus whom ye crucified.” The pronoun of the last verb i...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Joh 20:24-29. Jesus Again Appears to the Assembled Disciples.
**24-25. But Thomas--**(See on Joh 11:16).
**was not with them when Jesus came--**why, we know not, though we are loath to think (with Stier, Alford and Luthardt) it was intentional, from sullen despondency. The fact merely is here stated, as a loving apology for his slowness of belief.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 22-36**
From this gift of the Holy Ghost, Peter preaches unto them Jesus: and here is the history of Christ. Here is an account of his death and sufferings, which they witnessed but a few weeks before. His death is considered as God's act; and of wonderful grace and wisdom. Thus Divine justice must be satisfied, God and man brought together again, and Christ himself glorified, accordi...
Read full commentary →Three Thousand Converted
Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
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KJV Study Commentary
The crowd's response - 'pricked in their heart' (Greek 'katenugēsan,' pierced through) - demonstrates the Spirit's convicting work through preached word. Their question 'What shall we do?' reveals genuine repentance, not mere remorse. The address 'Men and brethren' shows respectful desperation, acknowledging apostolic authority. Conviction that produces inquiry marks saving faith; those merely off...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(37) **They were pricked in their heart.**—The verb occurs here only in the New Testament, and expresses the sharp, painful emotion which is indicated in “compunction,” a word of kindred meaning. A noun derived from it, or possibly from another root, is used in Romans 11:8 in the sense of “slumber,” apparently as indicating either the unconsciousness that follows upon extreme pain, or simple drows...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Joh 20:24-29. Jesus Again Appears to the Assembled Disciples.
**24-25. But Thomas--**(See on Joh 11:16).
**was not with them when Jesus came--**why, we know not, though we are loath to think (with Stier, Alford and Luthardt) it was intentional, from sullen despondency. The fact merely is here stated, as a loving apology for his slowness of belief.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 37-41**
From the first delivery of that Divine message, it appeared that there was Divine power going with it; and thousands were brought to the obedience of faith. But neither Peter's words, nor the miracle they witnessed, could have produced such effects, had not the Holy Spirit been given. Sinners, when their eyes are opened, cannot but be pricked to the heart for sin, cannot but f...
Read full commentary →Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Repent, and be baptized</strong> (μετανοήσατε καὶ βαπτισθήτω)—Peter's Pentecost command links internal transformation with public confession. The aorist imperative 'repent' demands decisive turning from sin and unbelief, particularly rejection of Jesus (v.36). Baptism 'in the name of Jesus Christ' distinguished Christian initiation from John's baptism and Jewish ritual washing—it publicly ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(38) **Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ.**—The work of the Apostles is, in one sense, a continuation, in another a development, of that of the Baptist. There is the same indispensable condition of “repentance”—*i.e.* a change of heart and will—the same outward rite as the symbol of purification, the same promise of forgiveness which that change involves. But the...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**26-29. And after eight days--**that is, on the eighth, or first day of the preceding week. They probably met every day during the preceding week, but their Lord designedly reserved His second appearance among them till the recurrence of His resurrection day, that He might thus inaugurate the delightful sanctities of THE Lord's Day (Re 1:10).
disciples were within, and Thomas with them ... Jes...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 37-41**
From the first delivery of that Divine message, it appeared that there was Divine power going with it; and thousands were brought to the obedience of faith. But neither Peter's words, nor the miracle they witnessed, could have produced such effects, had not the Holy Spirit been given. Sinners, when their eyes are opened, cannot but be pricked to the heart for sin, cannot but f...
Read full commentary →For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off , even as many as the Lord our God shall call .
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>The promise is unto you, and to your children</strong>—Peter expands covenant blessing beyond the present generation, echoing Abrahamic (Genesis 17:7) and Deuteronomic (30:19) promises. <strong>To all that are afar off</strong> (πᾶσι τοῖς εἰς μακράν) initially meant Diaspora Jews (Ephesians 2:13 later applies this to Gentiles), showing the Spirit's availability transcends geography. <stron...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(39) **The promise is unto you, and to your children.**—The tendency of sects has always been to claim spiritual gifts and powers as an exclusive privilege limited to a few. It is the essence of St. Peter’s appeal that all to whom he speaks can claim the promise as fully as himself. The phrase “those that are afar off,” was probably wide enough to cover both the Jews of the Dispersion, to whom the...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**26-29. And after eight days--**that is, on the eighth, or first day of the preceding week. They probably met every day during the preceding week, but their Lord designedly reserved His second appearance among them till the recurrence of His resurrection day, that He might thus inaugurate the delightful sanctities of THE Lord's Day (Re 1:10).
disciples were within, and Thomas with them ... Jes...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 37-41**
From the first delivery of that Divine message, it appeared that there was Divine power going with it; and thousands were brought to the obedience of faith. But neither Peter's words, nor the miracle they witnessed, could have produced such effects, had not the Holy Spirit been given. Sinners, when their eyes are opened, cannot but be pricked to the heart for sin, cannot but f...
Read full commentary →And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.</strong> This verse concludes Peter's Pentecost sermon with an urgent call to decision. The Greek word <em>diamartyromai</em> (διαμαρτύρομαι, "testify") carries the sense of solemn, earnest witness—Peter was not merely sharing information but calling people to life-transforming faith...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(40) **With many other words.**—The report breaks off, as if St. Luke’s informant had followed closely up to this point and then lost count of the sequence of thought and words.
**Did he testify**—i.e., *continued to testify.*
**Save yourselves.**—Literally, in the passive, *Be ye saved.* They were invited to submit to God’s way of salvation, to accept Jesus as their Saviour.
**From this untoward ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**26-29. And after eight days--**that is, on the eighth, or first day of the preceding week. They probably met every day during the preceding week, but their Lord designedly reserved His second appearance among them till the recurrence of His resurrection day, that He might thus inaugurate the delightful sanctities of THE Lord's Day (Re 1:10).
disciples were within, and Thomas with them ... Jes...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 37-41**
From the first delivery of that Divine message, it appeared that there was Divine power going with it; and thousands were brought to the obedience of faith. But neither Peter's words, nor the miracle they witnessed, could have produced such effects, had not the Holy Spirit been given. Sinners, when their eyes are opened, cannot but be pricked to the heart for sin, cannot but f...
Read full commentary →Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
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KJV Study Commentary
The response - 'they that gladly received his word were baptized' - indicates true conversion requires willing reception, not coercion. The Greek 'apodexamenoi' (gladly received) suggests enthusiastic embrace, not reluctant assent. 'About three thousand souls' added in one day demonstrates Spirit's sovereign power to produce mass conversions while maintaining individual agency. This validates apos...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(41) **They that gladly received his word were baptized.**—This was, we must remember, no new emotion. Not four years had passed since there had been a like eagerness to rush to the baptism of John. (See Notes on Matthew 3:5; Matthew 11:12.)
**Three thousand souls.**—The largeness of the number has been urged as rendering it probable that the baptism was by affusion, not immersion. On the other ha...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**26-29. And after eight days--**that is, on the eighth, or first day of the preceding week. They probably met every day during the preceding week, but their Lord designedly reserved His second appearance among them till the recurrence of His resurrection day, that He might thus inaugurate the delightful sanctities of THE Lord's Day (Re 1:10).
disciples were within, and Thomas with them ... Jes...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 37-41**
From the first delivery of that Divine message, it appeared that there was Divine power going with it; and thousands were brought to the obedience of faith. But neither Peter's words, nor the miracle they witnessed, could have produced such effects, had not the Holy Spirit been given. Sinners, when their eyes are opened, cannot but be pricked to the heart for sin, cannot but f...
Read full commentary →And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>They continued stedfastly</strong> (ἦσαν προσκαρτεροῦντες)—The imperfect tense denotes ongoing, habitual practice; 'proskarterountes' means devoted persistence despite obstacles. Luke lists four priorities: <strong>the apostles' doctrine</strong> (authoritative teaching grounded in eyewitness testimony), <strong>fellowship</strong> (koinōnia—shared life including material goods, v.44), <st...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(42) **And they continued steadfastly.**—The one Greek word is expressed by the English verb and adverb. As applied to persons, the New Testament use of the word is characteristic of St. Luke (Acts 2:46; Acts 6:4; Acts 8:13; Acts 10:7), and peculiar to him and St. Paul (Romans 12:12; Romans 13:6; Colossians 4:2).
**The apostles’ doctrine.**—Four elements of the life of the new society are dwelt on...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**30. many other signs--**miracles.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 42-47**
In these verses we have the history of the truly primitive church, of the first days of it; its state of infancy indeed, but, like that, the state of its greatest innocence. They kept close to holy ordinances, and abounded in piety and devotion; for Christianity, when admitted in the power of it, will dispose the soul to communion with God in all those ways wherein he has appo...
Read full commentary →And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
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KJV Study Commentary
The statement 'fear came upon every soul' describes holy awe at God's manifest presence, not terror. The Greek 'phobos' encompasses reverence, respect, and recognition of God's awesome power. This fear coexisted with joy (v. 46), demonstrating biblical fear's compatibility with love. 'Many wonders and signs were done by the apostles' authenticated their message, validating the new covenant's inaug...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(43) **Fear came upon every soul.**—The Greek text shows a careful distinction of tenses. Fear—i.e., reverential awe—came specially at that season; the “signs and wonders” were wrought continually. (See Note on Acts 2:19.)
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**31. But these are written--**as sufficient specimens.
**the Christ, the Son of God--**the one His official, the other His personal, title.
**believing ... may have life--**(See on Joh 6:51-54).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 42-47**
In these verses we have the history of the truly primitive church, of the first days of it; its state of infancy indeed, but, like that, the state of its greatest innocence. They kept close to holy ordinances, and abounded in piety and devotion; for Christianity, when admitted in the power of it, will dispose the soul to communion with God in all those ways wherein he has appo...
Read full commentary →And all that believed were together , and had all things common;
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KJV Study Commentary
The phrase 'all that believed were together, and had all things common' describes voluntary community sharing motivated by Spirit-produced love, not mandated communism. The Greek 'eichon hapanta koina' (had all things common) indicates willing redistribution meeting needs. This fulfilled Jesus' prayer for unity (John 17:21) and provided tangible witness to supernatural transformation - greed repla...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(44) **All that believed were together. . . .**—The writer dwells with a manifest delight on this picture of what seemed to him the true ideal of a human society. Here there was a literal fulfilment of his Lord’s words (Luke 12:33), a society founded, not on the law of self-interest and competition, but on sympathy and self-denial. They had all things in common, not by a compulsory abolition of th...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 42-47**
In these verses we have the history of the truly primitive church, of the first days of it; its state of infancy indeed, but, like that, the state of its greatest innocence. They kept close to holy ordinances, and abounded in piety and devotion; for Christianity, when admitted in the power of it, will dispose the soul to communion with God in all those ways wherein he has appo...
Read full commentary →And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
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KJV Study Commentary
Believers 'sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need' demonstrates love's practical expression. The Greek 'epidiedoun' (distributed) indicates ongoing action, not one-time event. This generosity wasn't forced leveling but need-based assistance. The phrase 'as every man had need' refutes both hoarding and indiscriminate giving - wisdom guided compassion. Th...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(45) **And sold their possessions and goods.**—The verbs throughout this description are in the imperfect tense, as expressing the constant recurrence of the act. The Greek words for “possessions” and “goods” both mean “property,” the former as a thing acquired, the latter as that which belongs to a man for the time being. Custom, however, had introduced a technical distinction, and “possessions” ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
CHAPTER 21 Joh 21:1-23. Supplementary Particulars.
(That this chapter was added by another hand has been asserted, against clear evidence to the contrary, by some late critics, chiefly because the Evangelist had concluded his part of the work with Joh 20:30, 31. But neither in the Epistles of the New Testament, nor in other good authors, is it unusual to insert supplementary matter, and so have ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 42-47**
In these verses we have the history of the truly primitive church, of the first days of it; its state of infancy indeed, but, like that, the state of its greatest innocence. They kept close to holy ordinances, and abounded in piety and devotion; for Christianity, when admitted in the power of it, will dispose the soul to communion with God in all those ways wherein he has appo...
Read full commentary →And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, from: or, at home
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KJV Study Commentary
The dual worship pattern - 'continuing daily with one accord in the temple' (public) and 'breaking bread from house to house' (private) - establishes rhythm of corporate and intimate fellowship. Temple worship maintained Jewish identity while house churches fostered deeper communion. 'Breaking bread' likely combines Lord's Supper with fellowship meals, demonstrating gospel's transformation of ordi...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(46) **Continuing daily with one accord in the temple.**—At first it would have seemed natural that the followers of a Teacher whom the priests had condemned to death, who had once nearly been stoned, and once all but seized in the very courts of the Temple (John 8:59; John 10:31; John 7:45), should keep aloof from the sanctuary that had thus been desecrated. But they remembered that He had claime...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
CHAPTER 21 Joh 21:1-23. Supplementary Particulars.
(That this chapter was added by another hand has been asserted, against clear evidence to the contrary, by some late critics, chiefly because the Evangelist had concluded his part of the work with Joh 20:30, 31. But neither in the Epistles of the New Testament, nor in other good authors, is it unusual to insert supplementary matter, and so have ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 42-47**
In these verses we have the history of the truly primitive church, of the first days of it; its state of infancy indeed, but, like that, the state of its greatest innocence. They kept close to holy ordinances, and abounded in piety and devotion; for Christianity, when admitted in the power of it, will dispose the soul to communion with God in all those ways wherein he has appo...
Read full commentary →Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Praising God, and having favour with all the people</strong>—The early church's joyful worship and generous community living attracted public goodwill despite later persecution. <strong>The Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved</strong> (ὁ κύριος προσετίθει... τοὺς σῳζομένους)—Luke emphasizes God's initiative in salvation ('the Lord added') while using a present participle...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(47) **Having favour with all the people.**—The new life of the Apostles, in part probably their liberal almsgiving, had revived the early popularity of their Master with the common people. The Sadducean priests were, probably, the only section that looked on them with a malignant fear.
**The Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.**—Many of the better MSS. omit the words “to the C...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**3-6. Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing--**(See on Lu 5:11).
**that night ... caught nothing--**as at the first miraculous draught (see on Lu 5:5); no doubt so ordered that the miracle might strike them the more by contrast. The same principle is seen in operation throughout much of Christ's ministry, and is indeed a great law of God's spiritual procedure with His people.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 42-47**
In these verses we have the history of the truly primitive church, of the first days of it; its state of infancy indeed, but, like that, the state of its greatest innocence. They kept close to holy ordinances, and abounded in piety and devotion; for Christianity, when admitted in the power of it, will dispose the soul to communion with God in all those ways wherein he has appo...
Read full commentary →