King James Version

What Does Acts 10:38 Mean?

Acts 10:38 in the King James Version says “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that w... — study this verse from Acts chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

Acts 10:38 · KJV


Context

36

The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)

37

That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;

38

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

39

And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:

40

Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly ;


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Peter testified: 'How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.' The anointing with the Spirit (at Jesus' baptism) equipped Christ for His messianic ministry. Peter summarized Jesus' earthly work - doing good, healing, and liberating those oppressed by Satan. This demonstrates Christ's power over demonic forces and His compassionate ministry. Reformed Christology maintains that Christ's human nature, though sinless, needed the Spirit's empowerment for ministry, modeling Spirit-dependence for all ministry.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Jesus' ministry occurred circa AD 27-30 throughout Galilee, Judea, and surrounding regions. His healing and deliverance ministry demonstrated the kingdom of God breaking into Satan's domain (Luke 11:20). Peter and the apostles were eyewitnesses to these works (v.39).

Reflection Questions

  1. How did the Spirit's anointing equip Jesus for His messianic ministry?
  2. What does Jesus' healing ministry reveal about the kingdom of God?
  3. How does Christ's victory over demonic oppression give hope to those suffering spiritual oppression today?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 30 words
Ἰησοῦν1 of 30

Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

τὸν2 of 30
G3588

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

ἀπὸ3 of 30

of

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

Ναζαρέτ4 of 30

Nazareth

G3478

nazareth or nazaret, a place in palestine

ὡς5 of 30

How

G5613

which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)

ἔχρισεν6 of 30

anointed

G5548

to smear or rub with oil, i.e., (by implication) to consecrate to an office or religious service

αὐτοῦ7 of 30

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

8 of 30
G3588

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

θεὸς9 of 30

God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

πνεύματι10 of 30

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

ἁγίῳ11 of 30

with the Holy

G40

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

καὶ12 of 30

and

G2532

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

δυνάμει13 of 30

with power

G1411

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

ὃς14 of 30
G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

διῆλθεν15 of 30

went about

G1330

to traverse (literally)

εὐεργετῶν16 of 30

doing good

G2109

to be philanthropic

καὶ17 of 30

and

G2532

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

ἰώμενος18 of 30

healing

G2390

to cure (literally or figuratively)

πάντας19 of 30

all

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

τοὺς20 of 30
G3588

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

καταδυναστευομένους21 of 30

that were oppressed

G2616

to exercise dominion against, i.e., oppress

ὑπὸ22 of 30

of

G5259

under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (

τοῦ23 of 30
G3588

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

διαβόλου24 of 30

the devil

G1228

a traducer; specially, satan (compare h7854)

ὅτι25 of 30

for

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

26 of 30
G3588

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

θεὸς27 of 30

God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

ἦν28 of 30

was

G2258

i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)

μετ'29 of 30

with

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

αὐτοῦ30 of 30

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons


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 10:38 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 10:38 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

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