King James Version

What Does Acts 2:22 Mean?

Acts 2:22 in the King James Version says “Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs... — study this verse from Acts chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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:

Acts 2:22 · KJV


Context

20

The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:

21

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

22

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:

23

Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

24

Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.


Commentary

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').

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Peter addresses fellow Jews ('ye men of Israel') who witnessed or heard of Jesus' ministry (AD 27-30). His reference to 'Jesus of Nazareth' uses the common identifier for the recently crucified teacher, making his resurrection claim immediately relevant.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do Jesus' miracles authenticate his divine mission and message?
  2. What does God's sovereignty over Christ's crucifixion teach about His control over apparent evil?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 34 words
ἄνδρα1 of 34

Ye men

G435

a man (properly as an individual male)

Ἰσραηλῖται2 of 34

of Israel

G2475

an "israelite", i.e., descendant of israel (literally or figuratively)

ἀκούσατε3 of 34

hear

G191

to hear (in various senses)

τοὺς4 of 34
G3588

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

λόγους5 of 34

words

G3056

something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a

τούτους·6 of 34

these

G5128

these (persons, as objective of verb or preposition)

Ἰησοῦν7 of 34

Jesus

G2424

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

τὸν8 of 34
G3588

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

Ναζωραῖον9 of 34

of Nazareth

G3480

a nazoraean, i.e., inhabitant of nazareth; by extension, a christian

ἄνδρα10 of 34

Ye men

G435

a man (properly as an individual male)

ἀπὸ11 of 34

of

G575

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

τοῦ12 of 34
G3588

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

θεὸς13 of 34

God

G2316

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

ἀποδεδειγμένον14 of 34

approved

G584

to show off, i.e., exhibit; figuratively, to demonstrate, i.e., accredit

εἰς15 of 34

among

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

ὑμᾶς16 of 34

you

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

δυνάμεσιν17 of 34

by miracles

G1411

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

καὶ18 of 34

also

G2532

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

τέρασιν19 of 34

wonders

G5059

a prodigy or omen

καὶ20 of 34

also

G2532

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

σημείοις21 of 34

signs

G4592

an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally

οἷς22 of 34

which

G3739

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

ἐποίησεν23 of 34

did

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

δι'24 of 34

by

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

αὐτοὶ25 of 34

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

26 of 34
G3588

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

θεὸς27 of 34

God

G2316

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

ἐν28 of 34

in

G1722

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

μέσῳ29 of 34

the midst

G3319

middle (as an adjective or (neuter) noun)

ὑμῶν30 of 34

of you

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

καθὼς31 of 34

as

G2531

just (or inasmuch) as, that

καὶ32 of 34

also

G2532

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

αὐτοὶ33 of 34

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

οἴδατε34 of 34

know

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl


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 2:22 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 2:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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