Acts 2:22 - Printer Friendly

ESV: "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know —

NIV: "Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.

NASB: Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a Man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know—

CSB: "Fellow Israelites, listen to these words: This Jesus of Nazareth was a man attested to you by God with miracles, wonders, and signs that God did among you through him, just as you yourselves know.

NLT: People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know.

KJV: 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:

NKJV: “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know—

Peter has been using the prophecies of Joel 2:28–32 to explain why a group of Jesus-followers has suddenly begun speaking in different languages (Acts 2:1–13). Joel explains that in the last days, the Holy Spirit will come and cause God's followers to prophecy (Joel 2:28–29; Acts 2:17–18). He then promises judgment for those who ignore the prophecies (Joel 2:30–31; Acts 2:19–20) and rescue for those who listen and respond (Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21).

Peter now ties Joel's prophecy to his audience. Joel warned that God would destroy Israel because of their rejection of Him. Fifty days ago, the Jews rejected Jesus. Peter will use prophecies from David to prove Jesus' identity as the Messiah that God promised them (Acts 2:25–28, 34–35).

Peter addresses the "Men of Israel" because the crowd likely is made of all men. This is the middle of the Pentecost, one of three feasts that all Jewish men are to celebrate in Jerusalem. During these feasts, also including Passover and the Feast of Booths, Jerusalem's population grows from about 100,000 residents to a total of about a million people. The crowd is made of travelers from as far away as Rome to the west and Mesopotamia to the east (Acts 2:9–11), so they probably weren't there when Jesus was crucified, fifty days before. But they would have heard about it.

They also would have heard of Jesus' miraculous works. "Miracles" is from the Greek root word dunamis which references the power needed to perform miracles. "Wonder" is from the Greek root word teras and means a miracle that reveals a hidden truth. "Signs" is from the Greek root word semeion; it means a miracle that is unusual and identifies the miracle-worker as something special, especially chosen by God. Jesus' three-year ministry was certainly characterized by miracles, wonders, and signs (Matthew 20:29–34; Luke 7:11–17; 11:14–20; 22:51; John 11:17–44). In fact, the Bible doesn't contain all of Jesus' miracles (John 20:30–31).

Acts 2:14–36 transcribes the first sermon ever given by a Christian. The Holy Spirit that Jesus promised (John 14:16–17) has come upon 120 of His followers in Jerusalem (Acts 1:15; 2:1–4). They immediately start speaking in different languages, shocking a crowd of Jews and proselytes who are in town to celebrate Pentecost (Acts 2:5–11). Some of the crowd dismiss the speech as nonsense; others are very interested (Acts 2:12–13). Peter, combining his natural enthusiasm as spokesman for the group with wisdom from the Spirit, responds by obeying Jesus and being His witness (Acts 1:8).

Acts 2 describes the beginning of the church in three episodes. First, the Holy Spirit comes upon the Jesus-followers in Jerusalem, equipping them with the ability to teach the gospel in different languages (Acts 2:1–13). Second, Peter gives a public declaration using Old Testament prophecy to show Jesus is the long-awaited Jewish Messiah (Acts 2:14–36). Third, people believe. They repent, trust Jesus will forgive their sins, and agree to be baptized as a public sign that they are now Jesus-followers (Acts 2:37–47). That quickly, the church is born.

Acts 2 describes the creation of Jesus' church. Forty days after Jesus' resurrection He ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9). One hundred and twenty disciples obeyed His command to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4, 2–15). In Acts 2, they receive the Holy Spirit and share the gospel with a crowd of people who have come to celebrate Pentecost. Three thousand believe, and the church comes to life. In the following chapters, Jesus-followers fulfill Jesus' promise that they will be His witnesses ''in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth'' (Acts 1:8).

The summary of the book of Acts is provided in Jesus' words in Acts 1:8: ''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'' In Acts 2:1–13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14—7:60 describes the rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. Chapters 8—12 find Jewish persecution inadvertently spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. And in chapters 13—28, Paul and his companions spread the good news throughout the Roman Empire.