What does Acts 3:26 mean?
The idea of Jesus being "raised up" can have several meanings. One is that He was raised as a child and as a teacher and prophet. Another is that He was raised or lifted up on the cross. A third is that He was raised from the dead. The wording however, comes close on the heels of Acts 3:22: "Moses said, 'The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers.'" So it would appear the phrasing matches the first possibility: God "raised up" Jesus to be the prophet promised in the Old Testament.God sent Jesus to the Jews first. Jesus did minister to Gentiles, but His primary mission was to reach the Jews (Mark 7:27). Paul, the missionary specifically chosen by God to reach the Gentiles (Acts 9:15), knows this (Romans 1:16). Even though he was the apostle to the Gentiles, when he came to a new city, he first looked for the Jews (Acts 13:5; 14:1; 17:1–2).
The second half of the verse may explain why the Jewish nation rejected Jesus as their Messiah. The triumphal entry was a celebration that the Messiah had come to bring the kingdom of David again, to free the Jews from the dominion of the Romans (Mark 11:1–10). The people forgot that John the Baptist never said the Christ would free Israel. He said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29). Mark says, "John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins" (Mark 1:4).
For many Jews, what Peter has said in Solomon's Portico is convincing. The number of men, not counting women, who respond to Peter's sermon numbers in the thousands (Acts 4:4). After his sermon at Pentecost, three thousand put their faith in Jesus (Acts 2:41). And more came daily (Acts 2:47; 5:14).
It's possible that if Jesus had promised independence for Israel, the nation as a whole might have followed. Today, we see that the promise of an easy, prosperous life on earth often draws a bigger crowd than the chance to be reconciled with God. That is the option that those on the wide path choose (Matthew 7:13–14). Jesus said, "Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life" (John 12:25). We must all decide if we want to try to find fulfillment on earth or peace with God in eternity.
