Acts 10:38

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

How {G5613} God {G2316} anointed {G5548} Jesus {G2424} of {G575} Nazareth {G3478} with the Holy {G40} Ghost {G4151} and {G2532} with power {G1411}: who {G846}{G3739} went about {G1330} doing good {G2109}, and {G2532} healing {G2390} all {G3956} that were oppressed {G2616} of {G5259} the devil {G1228}; for {G3754} God {G2316} was {G2258} with {G3326} him {G846}.

how God anointed Yeshua from Natzeret with the Ruach HaKodesh and with power; how Yeshua went about doing good and healing all the people oppressed by the Adversary, because God was with him.

how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him.

even Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

Commentary

Context

Acts 10:38 is a powerful summary of Jesus' earthly ministry, delivered by the Apostle Peter to Cornelius's household in Caesarea. This sermon marks a pivotal moment in the early church, as it signifies the extension of the Gospel message beyond Jewish believers to the Gentiles. Peter is explaining who Jesus is and what He did, providing a concise theological and historical foundation for their faith. The verse highlights the divine source of Jesus' authority and the nature of His work, setting the stage for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on these first Gentile converts, as described in Acts 10:44-48.

Key Themes

  • Divine Anointing and Empowerment: The verse emphasizes that Jesus' ministry was not merely human effort but divinely initiated and sustained. God Himself "anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power." This anointing signifies His divine appointment as the Messiah (the Christ, meaning "Anointed One") and His empowerment by the Holy Spirit for His mission. This divine empowerment is key to understanding Jesus' own declaration of His mission in Nazareth, where He stated the Spirit of the Lord was upon Him to preach the Gospel.
  • Ministry of Compassion and Deliverance: Jesus "went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil." This succinctly describes the active, benevolent nature of His ministry. He was not passive but actively engaged in alleviating suffering and confronting the forces of evil. His ministry was characterized by compassionate healing and teaching throughout Galilee, demonstrating God's active power against all forms of human suffering, including spiritual bondage. This shows Jesus' authority over sickness and demonic influence.
  • God's Active Presence: The concluding phrase, "for God was with him," underscores the intimate and constant communion between Jesus and the Father. This divine presence was the source of Jesus' power, authority, and success in His ministry. It affirmed the unique relationship between Jesus and God, validating every act of healing and every word spoken. The assurance that God was with Jesus provided the foundation for His authority and effectiveness.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Anointed" (KJV): The Greek word is chrio (χρίω), which means to smear or rub with oil, often in a ceremonial sense to consecrate someone for a special office, like a prophet, priest, or king. In this context, it highlights Jesus' divine commissioning and empowerment by the Holy Spirit for His unique role as the Messiah, "the Anointed One."
  • "Oppressed of the devil": The Greek phrase is katadynasteuomenous hypo tou diabolou (καταδυναστευομένους ὑπὸ τοῦ διαβόλου). Katadynasteuomenous implies being "overpowered," "tyrannized," or "dominated" by the devil. This emphasizes the severe and pervasive nature of the devil's influence on humanity and highlights Jesus' role as the liberator who broke the devil's power.

Practical Application

Acts 10:38 offers profound insights for believers today. Just as Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit for His mission, believers are also empowered by the Spirit for service and witness, as promised in Acts 1:8. This verse encourages us to follow Jesus' example by actively "doing good" in the world, showing compassion, and being agents of healing and deliverance where God leads. It reminds us that our effectiveness in ministry comes not from our own strength but from the abiding presence of God and the power of the Holy Spirit working through us. Understanding this verse can inspire Christians to engage in practical acts of service and spiritual warfare, trusting that God is with them as they seek to extend His kingdom.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Luke 4:18 (37 votes)

    The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

  • Acts 2:22 (33 votes)

    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:

  • Isaiah 61:1 (31 votes)

    ¶ The Spirit of the Lord GOD [is] upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to [them that are] bound;

  • Isaiah 61:3 (31 votes)

    To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

  • Isaiah 11:2 (25 votes)

    And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;

  • John 3:34 (23 votes)

    For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure [unto him].

  • Hebrews 1:9 (20 votes)

    Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, [even] thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.