King James Version

What Does Acts 2:40 Mean?

Acts 2:40 in the King James Version says “And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.” — study this verse from Acts chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.”

Acts 2:40 · KJV

Salvation

Context

38

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.

39

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 .

40

And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

41

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

42

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Read Acts 2 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. This verse concludes Peter's Pentecost sermon with an urgent call to decision. The Greek word diamartyromai (διαμαρτύρομαι, "testify") carries the sense of solemn, earnest witness—Peter was not merely sharing information but calling people to life-transforming faith. The verb parakaleō (παρακαλέω, "exhort") means to beseech, encourage, or plead with urgency and compassion.

The phrase "many other words" indicates that Luke provides only a summary of Peter's extensive preaching. The command "Save yourselves" (sōthēte, σώθητε) is an aorist passive imperative, literally "be saved"—emphasizing both human response and divine action. The word "untoward" (skolias, σκολιάς) means crooked, perverse, or corrupt, echoing Deuteronomy 32:5's description of Israel's rebellion. Peter calls believers to separate from the spiritually twisted generation that rejected Christ.

This verse bridges the proclamation of the gospel (Acts 2:14-39) and the response (Acts 2:41). It emphasizes that salvation requires personal decision and separation from worldly systems opposed to God. The urgency reflects the reality that every generation faces the choice to embrace or reject Christ, with eternal consequences.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This sermon occurred on the day of Pentecost, 50 days after Passover, when Jerusalem was filled with Jewish pilgrims from throughout the Roman world. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit and Peter's bold proclamation happened in the context of recent political tension—Jesus had been crucified just seven weeks earlier by Roman and Jewish authorities.

Peter addressed a "crooked generation" steeped in first-century Jewish religious culture that had largely rejected Jesus as Messiah. The temple establishment, Pharisees, and Sadducees maintained significant power, and allegiance to Christ meant potential excommunication from synagogues and social ostracism (John 9:22, 12:42). Peter's call to "save yourselves" meant repenting from complicity with the religious leaders who condemned Jesus.

The response was remarkable—3,000 people believed and were baptized (Acts 2:41), forming the nucleus of the Jerusalem church. This occurred despite the risks: believers faced persecution from Jewish authorities (Acts 4-8) and eventually the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. The early church's willingness to separate from the corrupt generation demonstrated the transformative power of the gospel.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Peter's urgent call to "save yourselves" challenge passive or cultural Christianity today?
  2. What does it mean practically to separate from a "crooked generation" while still engaging the world with the gospel?
  3. How does the emphasis on both divine action ("be saved") and human response shape our understanding of conversion?
  4. What parallels exist between the first-century rejection of Christ and contemporary cultural opposition to biblical truth?
  5. How should the reality of 3,000 conversions in one day inform our expectations for evangelism and church growth?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 15 words
ἑτέροις1 of 15

“other”

G2087

(an-, the) other or different

τε2 of 15

“And”

G5037

both or also (properly, as correlation of g2532)

λόγοις3 of 15

“words”

G3056

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

πλείοσιν4 of 15

“with many”

G4119

more in quantity, number, or quality; also (in plural) the major portion

διεμαρτύρετο5 of 15

“did he testify”

G1263

to attest or protest earnestly, or (by implication) hortatively

καὶ6 of 15

“and”

G2532

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

παρεκάλει7 of 15

“exhort”

G3870

to call near, i.e., invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation)

λέγων,8 of 15

“saying”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

Σώθητε9 of 15

“Save yourselves”

G4982

to save, i.e., deliver or protect (literally or figuratively)

ἀπὸ10 of 15

“from”

G575

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

τῆς11 of 15
G3588

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

γενεᾶς12 of 15

“generation”

G1074

a generation; by implication, an age (the period or the persons)

τῆς13 of 15
G3588

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

σκολιᾶς14 of 15

“untoward”

G4646

warped, i.e., winding; figuratively, perverse

ταύτης15 of 15
G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

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 2:40 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 2:40 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Philippians 2:15Deuteronomy 32:5Matthew 17:17Ephesians 4:171 Timothy 4:162 Corinthians 6:17

Test Your Knowledge

Acts 2 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterActs Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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