Acts 10:34-43

34 Then Peter started speaking:
Grk “Opening his mouth Peter said” (a Semitic idiom for beginning to speak in a somewhat formal manner). The participle ἀνοίξας (anoixas) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
“I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism in dealing with people,
Grk “God is not one who is a respecter of persons,” that is, “God is not one to show partiality” (cf. BDAG 887 s.v. προσωπολήμπτης). L&N 88.239 translates this verse “I realize that God does not show favoritism (in dealing with people).” The underlying Hebrew idiom includes the personal element (“respecter of persons”) so the phrase “in dealing with people” is included in the present translation. It fits very well with the following context and serves to emphasize the relational component of God’s lack of partiality. The latter is a major theme in the NT: Rom 2:11; Eph 2:11–22; Col 3:25; Jas 2:1; 1 Pet 1:17. This was the lesson of Peter’s vision.
35but in every nation the person who fears him
Or “shows reverence for him.”
and does what is right
Grk “works righteousness”; the translation “does what is right” for this phrase in this verse is given by L&N 25.85.
Note how faith and response are linked here by the phrase and does what is right.
is welcomed before him.
36You know
The subject and verb (“you know”) do not actually occur until the following verse, but have been repeated here because of the requirements of English word order.
the message
Grk “the word.”
he sent to the people
Grk “to the sons.”
of Israel, proclaiming the good news of peace
Peace is a key OT concept: Isa 52:7; Nah 1:15; also for Luke: Luke 1:79; 2:14; Acts 9:31. See also the similar phrase in Eph 2:17.
through
Or “by.”
Jesus Christ
Or “Messiah”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.”
(he is Lord
He is Lord of all. Though a parenthetical remark, this is the theological key to the speech. Jesus is Lord of all, so the gospel can go to all. The rest of the speech proclaims Jesus’ authority.
of all) –
37you know what happened throughout Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John announced:
Or “proclaimed.”
38with respect to Jesus from Nazareth,
The somewhat awkward naming of Jesus as from Nazareth here is actually emphatic. He is the key subject of these key events.
that
Or “how.” The use of ὡς (hōs) as an equivalent to ὅτι (hoti) to introduce indirect or even direct discourse is well documented. BDAG 1105 s.v. ὡς 5 lists Acts 10:28 in this category.
God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power. He
Grk “power, who.” The relative pronoun was replaced by the pronoun “he,” and a new sentence was begun in the translation at this point to improve the English style, due to the length of the sentence in Greek.
went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil,
The translation “healing all who were oppressed by the devil” is given in L&N 22.22.
All who were oppressed by the devil. Note how healing is tied to the cosmic battle present in creation. Christ’s power overcomes the devil and his forces, which seek to destroy humanity.
because God was with him.
39We
Grk “And we.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.
are witnesses of all the things he did both in Judea
Grk “the land of the Jews,” but this is similar to the phrase used as the name of the province of Judea in 1 Macc 8:3 (see BDAG 1093-94 s.v. χώρα 2.b).
and in Jerusalem. They
Grk “in Jerusalem, whom they killed.” The relative pronoun was replaced by the pronoun “him” and a new sentence was begun in the translation at this point to improve the English style, due to the length of the sentence in Greek.
killed him by hanging him on a tree,
Or “by crucifying him” (“hang on a tree” is by the time of the 1st century an idiom for crucifixion). The allusion is to the judgment against Jesus as a rebellious figure, appealing to the language of Deut 21:23. The Jewish leadership has badly “misjudged” Jesus.
40but
The conjunction “but” is not in the Greek text, but the contrast is clearly implied in the context. This is technically asyndeton, or lack of a connective, in Greek.
God raised him up on the third day and caused him to be seen,
Grk “and granted that he should become visible.” The literal Greek idiom is somewhat awkward in English. L&N 24.22 offers the translation “caused him to be seen” for this verse.
41not by all the people, but by us, the witnesses God had already chosen,
Or “the witnesses God had previously chosen.” See Acts 1:8.
who ate and drank
Ate and drank. See Luke 24:35–49.
with him after he rose from the dead.
42He
Grk “and he.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.
commanded us to preach to the people and to warn
The verb διαμαρτύρομαι (diamarturomai) can mean “warn,” and such a meaning is highly probable in this context where a reference to the judgment of both the living and the dead is present. The more general meaning “to testify solemnly” does not capture this nuance.
them
The word “them” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context, but must be supplied for the modern English reader.
that he is the one
Grk “that this one is the one,” but this is awkward in English and has been simplified to “that he is the one.”
appointed
Or “designated.” BDAG 723 s.v. ὁρίζω 2.b has “the one appointed by God as judge” for this phrase.
by God as judge
Jesus has divine authority as judge over the living and the dead: Acts 17:26–31; Rom 14:9; 1 Thess 5:9–10; 1 Tim 4:1; 1 Pet 4:5.
of the living and the dead.
43About him all the prophets testify,
Or “All the prophets testify about him.” Although modern English translations tend to place “about him” after “testify” (so NIV, NRSV) the phrase “about him” has been left at the beginning of v. 43 for emphatic reasons.
that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins
Forgiveness of sins. See Luke 24:47; also Acts 14:23; 19:4; 9:42; 11:17; 16:31. The gospel is present in the prophetic promise, Rom 1:1–7. The message is in continuity with the ancient hope.
through his name.”

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