Acts 10:41

Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, [even] to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.

Not {G3756} to all {G3956} the people {G2992}, but {G235} unto witnesses {G3144} chosen before {G4401} of {G5259} God {G2316}, even to us {G2254}, who {G3748} did eat {G4906} and {G2532} drink with {G4844} him {G846} after {G3326} he {G846} rose {G450} from {G1537} the dead {G3498}.

not by all the people, but by witnesses God had previously chosen, that is, by us, who ate and drank with him after he had risen again from the dead.

not by all the people, but by the witnesses God had chosen beforehand, by us who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead.

not to all the people, but unto witnesses that were chosen before of God, even to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.

Commentary

Context

Acts 10:41 is part of Peter's pivotal sermon to Cornelius and his household in Caesarea, a moment that signifies the dramatic extension of the Gospel to Gentiles. Having been supernaturally guided to Cornelius's home, Peter explains the core of the Christian message: the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This particular verse addresses a crucial aspect of the resurrection: who saw the resurrected Christ and the nature of their testimony.

Key Themes

  • Exclusivity of Witness: Peter emphasizes that Jesus' post-resurrection appearances were "Not to all the people," but to a select group. This was not a public spectacle, but a series of intentional, verifiable encounters designed to establish a core group of reliable witnesses.
  • Divine Appointment: The witnesses were "chosen before of God." This highlights God's sovereign plan in selecting those who would bear authoritative testimony to the resurrection. Their role was not self-appointed but divinely ordained, underscoring the credibility and divine origin of their message.
  • Physical Reality of the Resurrection: The phrase "who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead" is a powerful affirmation of Jesus' physical, bodily resurrection. It counters any notion that His appearance was merely spiritual, ghostly, or a hallucination. Eating and drinking with them demonstrated He was truly alive, tangible, and not a phantom. This aligns with other accounts of Jesus eating with His disciples after His resurrection (Luke 24:43, John 21:12-13).
  • Apostolic Foundation: The "us" refers to the apostles and other close disciples who had walked with Jesus, providing the foundation for their authoritative preaching about the risen Christ.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "witnesses" is martyres (μάρτυρΡς), from which we derive the English word "martyr." In this context, it refers to those who give factual testimony based on firsthand knowledge. Their experience of eating and drinking with the resurrected Jesus provided irrefutable evidence, making their witness compelling and vital to the spread of the Gospel. The phrase "chosen before of God" (prochecheirotonemenois hypo tou theou) signifies a deliberate, pre-planned selection by God, reinforcing the divine authority behind their mission.

Significance and Cross-References

This verse underscores the absolute necessity of eyewitness testimony for the early Christian message. The apostles were not merely sharing a philosophy or an idea, but a historical event backed by verifiable encounters with the risen Christ. This direct, tangible proof of Jesus' resurrection was the cornerstone of their preaching, as seen throughout the book of Acts. Peter himself often emphasized this point, stating, "We are his witnesses of these things" (Acts 2:32). The importance of these chosen witnesses is also highlighted in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, where Paul lists various groups and individuals who saw the resurrected Jesus, culminating in his own experience.

Practical Application

For believers today, Acts 10:41 reaffirms the historical and physical reality of Jesus' resurrection, which is central to Christian faith. Our faith is not based on myths or legends, but on the credible testimony of those divinely chosen to witness the most significant event in human history. While we are not eyewitnesses in the same way the apostles were, we are called to be witnesses of Christ's transforming power in our own lives and to share the truth of His resurrection with others. The reliability of the Gospel message rests on the solid foundation of these chosen witnesses, providing assurance and confidence for our faith.

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

Cross-References

  • John 14:22

    Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?

  • John 14:17

    [Even] the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

  • John 21:13

    Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise.

  • Acts 10:39

    And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:

  • Acts 1:22

    Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

  • Acts 1:2

    Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:

  • Acts 1:3

    To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
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