Acts 10:40

KJV

Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;

KJV (with Strong's)

Him {G5126} God {G2316} raised up {G1453} the third {G5154} day {G2250}, and {G2532} shewed {G1096} him {G846} openly {G1717}{G1325};

Complete Jewish Bible

but God raised him up on the third day and let him be seen,

Berean Standard Bible

God raised Him up on the third day and caused Him to be seen—

American Standard Version

Him God raised up the third day, and gave him to be made manifest,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 10:40 stands as a foundational declaration within Peter's pivotal sermon to Cornelius, succinctly encapsulating the bedrock truth of Christian faith: the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. This verse not only asserts God's sovereign act in raising Jesus from the dead on the third day but also emphasizes the verifiable and public nature of His post-resurrection appearances, thereby establishing the irrefutable basis for the apostles' testimony and the global proclamation of the Gospel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 10:40 is situated within Peter's groundbreaking sermon delivered to Cornelius and his household in Caesarea. This sermon follows a dramatic sequence of events: Peter's vision of the sheet with "unclean" animals, God's command to "kill and eat," and the subsequent arrival of Cornelius's messengers. Peter's initial reluctance to enter a Gentile home is overcome by the Holy Spirit's guidance, culminating in this sermon. The sermon itself is a concise summary of the Gospel, tracing Jesus' ministry, crucifixion, and, most crucially, His resurrection. Verse 40 serves as the climax of Peter's historical account, providing the divine validation for Jesus' identity as Lord and Judge, a point he immediately elaborates upon in [Acts 10:42-43](/acts/10-42-43 "Acts 10:42-43 - Jesus is Judge and the Forgiveness of Sins").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The event at Cornelius's house marks a monumental shift in the early church's trajectory. Up to this point, the Gospel had primarily been preached to Jews and Jewish proselytes. The inclusion of Cornelius, a Roman centurion and Gentile, without requiring circumcision or adherence to Mosaic Law, shattered deeply ingrained Jewish cultural and religious barriers. Peter's vision in [Acts 10:9-16](/acts/10-9-16 "Acts 10:9-16 - Peter's Vision of the Sheet") directly challenged the Jewish dietary laws and, by extension, the social segregation between Jews and Gentiles. The public nature of Jesus' resurrection, as highlighted in this verse, was crucial for convincing both Jewish skeptics and Gentile converts, providing tangible proof in a world that valued eyewitness testimony. The Roman context, where centurions held significant authority, also underscores the widespread impact of the Gospel reaching even the highest echelons of society.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Acts and the broader New Testament. Foremost is **The Resurrection of Jesus Christ**, which is the central pillar of apostolic preaching and the very foundation of Christian hope, as articulated by Paul in [1 Corinthians 15:14](/1_corinthians/15-14 "1 Corinthians 15:14 - The Futility of Faith Without Resurrection"). The phrase "Him God raised up" underscores **Divine Agency and Sovereignty**, revealing that the resurrection was not a natural occurrence or human effort, but a powerful, deliberate act of God the Father, demonstrating His ultimate authority over life and death. Furthermore, "and shewed him openly" highlights the **Verifiable Nature of the Resurrection**, emphasizing that Jesus' post-resurrection appearances were not secret or mythical, but demonstrably real to chosen witnesses, enabling them to bear confident and compelling testimony, as seen in [Acts 1:3](/acts/1-3 "Acts 1:3 - Jesus Shows Himself Alive"). This declaration in [Acts 10:40](/acts/10-40 "Acts 10:40 - God Raised Jesus on the Third Day") is a concise summary of the **Core of the Gospel Message**, aligning with the foundational proclamation that Christ died for our sins and was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, as summarized in [1 Corinthians 15:3-4](/1_corinthians/15-3-4 "1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - The Gospel Message").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **raised up (Greek, _egeírō'_):** (G1453) This verb signifies "to waken, rouse, lift up, or raise." In the context of death, it unequivocally points to a divine act of resurrection, a physical awakening from the state of death, rather than mere resuscitation or a spiritual revival. It emphasizes God's power to overcome death itself.
* **shewed (Greek, _gínomai'_ / _dídōmi'_):** (G1096 / G1325) The KJV "shewed" is a translation that combines the sense of "to become, to come into being" (G1096) and "to give, bestow, grant" (G1325). In this construction, it conveys the idea of Jesus being "made to appear" or "given to be seen." This highlights the deliberate and purposeful nature of Jesus' post-resurrection appearances, orchestrated by God for the purpose of witness.
* **openly (Greek, _emphanḗs'_):** (G1717) Derived from a word meaning "to shine forth," _emphanḗs_ means "apparent in self, manifest, visible, evident." This adverb stresses the public, clear, and undeniable nature of Jesus' appearances. It wasn't a secret or obscure showing, but one that was clear enough for chosen witnesses to perceive and testify to with certainty, thus providing irrefutable proof of His resurrection.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Him God raised up the third day":** This clause directly attributes the resurrection of Jesus to God the Father. It emphasizes divine agency, making it clear that Jesus' rising was not a natural event, a human effort, or a self-resurrection, but a powerful, supernatural act of God. The specification "the third day" is crucial, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies (e.g., [Hosea 6:2](/hosea/6-2 "Hosea 6:2 - Raised on the Third Day")) and establishing a precise historical marker for the event, which was widely attested by the apostles.
* **"and shewed him openly;":** This second clause highlights the verifiable nature of the resurrection. God not only raised Jesus but also ensured that His resurrected form was "shewed openly," meaning visibly and clearly, to designated witnesses. This openness was paramount for the credibility of the apostolic message. It refutes any notion that Jesus' resurrection was a private, subjective experience or a mere spiritual event, affirming its objective reality and providing the basis for the apostles' confident testimony.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Conciseness** is evident in its ability to convey profound theological truths in a compact statement. The **Parallelism** between "God raised up" and "shewed him openly" emphasizes two complementary aspects of the resurrection: God's power and the verifiable evidence. The phrase "the third day" functions as a **Chronological Marker**, grounding the supernatural event in historical time and fulfilling prophetic expectations. Furthermore, the entire statement serves as a **Credal Affirmation**, a concise declaration of faith in the resurrected Christ, which would have been a standard part of early Christian proclamation. The use of **Divine Passive** (implied in "raised up" where God is the agent) subtly reinforces God's ultimate sovereignty over life and death.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 10:40 is a theological linchpin, connecting the Old Testament promises to their New Testament fulfillment in Christ. It affirms God's faithfulness to His covenant, demonstrating His power to bring life out of death and to vindicate His Son. The resurrection, as presented here, is not merely an isolated event but the divine ratification of Jesus' identity as the Messiah, the Son of God, and the appointed Judge of the living and the dead. It is the ultimate proof of His victory over sin and death, forming the indispensable foundation for the forgiveness of sins and the hope of eternal life offered to all who believe. This verse, therefore, undergirds the entire Christian message, validating Jesus' claims and empowering the apostles' mission to proclaim salvation to all nations, Jew and Gentile alike.

* [Romans 1:4](/romans/1-4 "Romans 1:4 - Declared Son of God by Resurrection")
* [1 Corinthians 15:20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ the Firstfruits of Resurrection")
* [Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - God Exalted Jesus")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The truth declared in Acts 10:40 is not merely historical fact but a living reality that profoundly impacts every aspect of a believer's life. The resurrection of Jesus, orchestrated by God and witnessed openly, provides the ultimate assurance of God's power, His justice, and His love. For us today, it means that our faith is not built on a myth or a philosophical idea, but on a verifiable event that transformed history. This truth offers unwavering hope in the face of death, assurance of forgiveness through Christ's atoning work, and the promise of new life empowered by the same Spirit who raised Jesus. It calls us to live with bold confidence, knowing that the same God who conquered death is at work in us, enabling us to overcome sin and live for His glory. Furthermore, it compels us to share this life-giving message with the world, just as Peter did, testifying to the resurrected Christ who offers salvation to all who believe.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the "openly shewed" aspect of Jesus' resurrection strengthen your personal faith and trust in the biblical narrative?**
* **In what ways does believing in God's power to "raise up" Jesus empower you to face challenges or overcome spiritual deadness in your own life?**
* **How can you more effectively communicate the centrality and significance of the resurrection in your witness to others?**

### FAQ

**Why is it important that God "raised up" Jesus, rather than Jesus raising Himself?**

Answer: While Jesus did speak of raising Himself (e.g., [John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "John 2:19-21 - Destroy This Temple and I Will Rebuild It")), the consistent New Testament emphasis, as seen in [Acts 10:40](/acts/10-40 "Acts 10:40 - God Raised Jesus on the Third Day") and numerous other passages (e.g., [Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Raised from the Dead by the Glory of the Father")), is that God the Father raised Jesus from the dead. This highlights several crucial theological points. First, it underscores God's sovereignty and ultimate power over life and death. The resurrection is not merely a human feat but a divine act of vindication and triumph. Second, it shows God's acceptance of Jesus' atoning sacrifice on the cross; by raising Him, the Father declared His satisfaction with Christ's work for sin. Third, it emphasizes the unity of the Godhead in the plan of salvation, with the Father initiating, the Son accomplishing, and the Spirit empowering.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 10:40, declaring that "Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly," is a powerful Christ-centered declaration that finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus as the victorious Lord and the source of new life. The resurrection of Jesus is the climactic event of redemptive history, validating all His claims and prophecies. It is the divine stamp of approval on His atoning work on the cross, confirming that His death was a sufficient sacrifice for sin. As the "firstfruits" of those who have fallen asleep ([1 Corinthians 15:20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ the Firstfruits")), Jesus' resurrection guarantees the future resurrection of all believers. His being "shewed openly" to chosen witnesses established the undeniable truth of His victory, empowering His disciples to proclaim Him as the living Lord who has conquered death and hell ([Revelation 1:18](/revelation/1-18 "Revelation 1:18 - Jesus Holds the Keys of Death and Hades")). Through His resurrection, Jesus is exalted to the right hand of God ([Acts 2:33](/acts/2-33 "Acts 2:33 - Exalted to the Right Hand of God")), where He reigns as King and intercedes for His people ([Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ Intercedes for Us")). Thus, Acts 10:40 points directly to Christ as the one in whom all God's promises are "Yes" and "Amen" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - All God's Promises are Yes in Christ")), offering forgiveness of sins and eternal life to all who believe in His name ([Acts 10:43](/acts/10-43 "Acts 10:43 - Forgiveness Through His Name")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Peter 1:21

Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

Acts 13:30

But God raised him from the dead:

Acts 13:31

And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.

Acts 2:24

Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

1 Corinthians 15:3

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

1 Corinthians 15:4

And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

2 Corinthians 4:14

Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present [us] with you.