King James Version

What Does Acts 1:8 Mean?

Acts 1:8 in the King James Version says “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusa... — study this verse from Acts chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. power: or, the power of the Holy Ghost coming upon you

Acts 1:8 · KJV


Context

6

When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

7

And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

8

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. power: or, the power of the Holy Ghost coming upon you

9

And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

10

And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Ye shall receive power (δύναμιν λήμψεσθε)—The promise of divine enablement through the Holy Spirit, not human ability. The Greek 'dunamis' (power) appears throughout Acts as the source of apostolic boldness and miraculous signs. Witnesses unto me defines Christian identity as testifiers to Christ's resurrection. The geographic progression—Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, uttermost earth—provides Acts' structural outline, showing God's redemptive plan expanding from Judaism to all nations. This commission replaced messianic kingdom expectations with Spirit-empowered global mission.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Spoken during Jesus' final pre-ascension appearance (40 days after resurrection), this redirected disciples' focus from political restoration of Israel to worldwide evangelistic mission. The 'uttermost part of the earth' would have seemed impossibly vast to this small band of Galilean followers.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the Holy Spirit's power in your life manifest differently than human talent or charisma?
  2. What 'uttermost parts' in your sphere of influence require bold witness to Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 28 words
ἀλλὰ1 of 28

But

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

λήψεσθε2 of 28

ye shall receive

G2983

while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))

δύναμιν3 of 28

power

G1411

force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself)

ἐπελθόντος4 of 28

is come

G1904

to supervene, i.e., arrive, occur, impend, attack, (figuratively) influence

τοῦ5 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἁγίου6 of 28

after that the Holy

G40

sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)

πνεύματος7 of 28

Ghost

G4151

a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin

ἐφ'8 of 28

upon

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

ὑμᾶς9 of 28

you

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

καὶ10 of 28

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἔσεσθέ11 of 28

ye shall be

G2071

will be

μοι12 of 28

unto me

G3427

to me

μάρτυρες13 of 28

witnesses

G3144

a witness (literally (judicially) or figuratively (genitive case)); by analogy, a "martyr"

ἐν14 of 28

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τε15 of 28

both

G5037

both or also (properly, as correlation of g2532)

Ἰερουσαλὴμ16 of 28

Jerusalem

G2419

hierusalem (i.e., jerushalem), the capitol of palestine

καὶ17 of 28

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐν18 of 28

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

πάσῃ19 of 28

all

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

τῇ20 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰουδαίᾳ21 of 28

Judaea

G2449

the judaean land (i.e., judaea), a region of palestine

καὶ22 of 28

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

Σαμαρείᾳ23 of 28

in Samaria

G4540

samaria (i.e., shomeron), a city and region of palestine

καὶ24 of 28

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἕως25 of 28

unto

G2193

a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)

ἐσχάτου26 of 28

the uttermost part

G2078

farthest, final (of place or time)

τῆς27 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

γῆς28 of 28

of the earth

G1093

soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 1:8 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 1:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

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