Act 3:18-22 | NETfull | STEP | But the things God foretold long ago through all the prophets – that his Christ would suffer

Acts 3:18-22

18 But the things God foretold ^{▼▼ God foretold. Peter’s topic is the working out of God’s plan and promise through events the scriptures also note.} long ago through ^{▼▼ Grk “by the mouth of” (an idiom).} all the prophets – that his Christ ^{▼▼ Or “Messiah”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.”} ^{▼▼ See the note on Christ in 2:31.} would suffer – he has fulfilled in this way. 19 Therefore repent and turn back so that your sins may be wiped out, 20 so that times of refreshing ^{▼▼ Or “relief.”} ^{▼▼ Times of refreshing. The phrase implies relief from difficult, distressful or burdensome circumstances. It is generally regarded as a reference to the messianic age being ushered in.} may come from the presence of the Lord, ^{▼▼ The words “so that…Lord” are traditionally placed in v. 19 by most English translations, but in the present translation the verse division follows the standard critical editions of the Greek text (NA²⁷, UBS⁴).} and so that he may send the Messiah ^{▼▼ Or “the Christ”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.”} ^{▼▼ He may send the Messiah appointed for you - that is, Jesus. The language points to the expectation of Jesus’ return to gather his people. It is a development of the question raised in Acts 1:6.} appointed ^{▼▼ Or “designated in advance.”} for you – that is, Jesus. 21 This one ^{▼▼ Grk “whom,” continuing the sentence from v. 20.} heaven must ^{▼▼ The term must used here (δεῖ, dei, “it is necessary”) is a key Lukan term to point to the plan of God and what must occur.} receive until the time all things are restored, ^{▼▼ Grk “until the times of the restoration of all things.” Because of the awkward English style of the extended genitive construction, and because the following relative clause has as its referent the “time of restoration” rather than “all things,” the phrase was translated “until the time all things are restored.”} ^{▼▼ The time all things are restored. What that restoration involves is already recorded in the scriptures of the nation of Israel.} which God declared ^{▼▼ Or “spoke.”} from times long ago ^{▼▼ Or “from all ages past.”} ^{▼▼ From times long ago. Once again, God’s plan is emphasized.} through his holy prophets. 22 Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must obey ^{▼▼ Grk “hear,” but the idea of “hear and obey” or simply “obey” is frequently contained in the Greek verb ἀκούω (akouō; see L&N 36.14) and the following context (v. 23) makes it clear that failure to “obey” the words of this “prophet like Moses” will result in complete destruction.} him in everything he tells you . ^{▼▼ A quotation from Deut 18:15. By quoting Deut 18:15 Peter declared that Jesus was the eschatological “prophet like [Moses]” mentioned in that passage, who reveals the plan of God and the way of God.}