Acts 2:22

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:

Ye men {G435} of Israel {G2475}, hear {G191} these {G5128} words {G3056}; Jesus {G2424} of Nazareth {G3480}, a man {G435} approved {G584} of {G575} God {G2316} among {G1519} you {G5209} by miracles {G1411} and {G2532} wonders {G5059} and {G2532} signs {G4592}, which {G3739} God {G2316} did {G4160} by {G1223} him {G846} in {G1722} the midst {G3319} of you {G5216}, as {G2531} ye yourselves {G846} also {G2532} know {G1492}:

“Men of Isra’el! Listen to this! Yeshua from Natzeret was a man demonstrated to you to have been from God by the powerful works, miracles and signs that God performed through him in your presence. You yourselves know this.

Men of Israel, listen to this message: Jesus of Nazareth was a man certified by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs, which God did among you through Him, as you yourselves know.

Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God unto you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him in the midst of you, even as ye yourselves know;

Commentary

Acts 2:22 is a pivotal verse from Peter's sermon on the Day of Pentecost, serving as a foundational argument for the deity and Messiahship of Jesus to a Jewish audience in Jerusalem. Peter directly appeals to their shared experience and knowledge of Jesus' public ministry.

Context

This verse is part of the Apostle Peter's powerful sermon delivered to a diverse crowd of Jewish pilgrims and residents in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost. Following the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the disciples speaking in various tongues (Acts 2:4), the crowd was amazed and perplexed. Peter stands up to explain these events, beginning by identifying Jesus of Nazareth as the long-awaited Messiah, a claim he supports with undeniable evidence that the audience themselves had witnessed. This sermon marks a significant moment in the early church's evangelistic outreach.

Key Themes

  • Divine Authentication of Jesus: The verse emphasizes that Jesus' ministry was not merely human effort but divinely sanctioned. He was "approved of God" through tangible demonstrations of power. This divine approval was crucial for Peter's argument to a Jewish audience, who were expecting a Messiah validated by God.
  • Eyewitness Testimony: Peter appeals directly to the audience's personal experience: "as ye yourselves also know." This highlights the public, verifiable nature of Jesus' work, making the claims undeniable for those who had lived through it. The early Christian message was rooted in facts and observable events, not abstract philosophy.
  • God's Active Role: The phrase "which God did by him" underscores that the miracles were not Jesus' power alone, but God working through Him. This links Jesus directly to God's ongoing activity in history and creation, presenting Him as God's chosen instrument. This idea is central to understanding Jesus' unique relationship with the Father (John 14:10).

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses three distinct terms to describe Jesus' powerful acts: "miracles and wonders and signs." In the original Greek, these are:

  • Dynameis (miracles): Refers to acts of power or supernatural ability.
  • Terata (wonders): Emphasizes the effect of these acts, inspiring awe or astonishment in observers.
  • Semeia (signs): Highlights the significance of these acts, pointing beyond themselves to a deeper truth or meaning, specifically that Jesus was sent by God and was indeed the Messiah.

Together, these terms paint a comprehensive picture of Jesus' ministry as one filled with powerful, awe-inspiring deeds that served as clear indications of His divine origin and mission.

Related Scriptures

Peter's appeal to "miracles and wonders and signs" echoes various passages where Jesus' works are highlighted as proof of His identity, such as Nicodemus's acknowledgment in John 3:2. The concept of God "approving" or "bearing witness" to Jesus through signs is also seen in Hebrews 2:4. This verse sets the stage for Peter's subsequent declaration of Jesus' resurrection (Acts 2:24) and ascension, which are also critical evidences of His divine approval.

Practical Application

For believers today, Acts 2:22 reminds us that faith in Jesus is not blind but grounded in historical evidence and God's powerful work. It encourages us to understand the significance of Jesus' miracles not just as historical events but as demonstrations of God's love and power. Furthermore, it challenges us to consider how God might still "approve" and work through His followers today, using ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things for His glory, just as He did through Jesus in the midst of His people.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.
The Historical Reliability of the Book of Acts An Analysis of Peter's Sermon at Pentecost (Acts 2) 3 Key Turning Points in the Book of Acts Peter's Sermon at Pentecost An Introduction to the Acts of the Apostles: The Birth of the Church

Cross-References

  • John 3:2

    The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

  • John 14:10

    Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

  • John 14:11

    Believe me that I [am] in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.

  • Acts 4:10

    Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, [even] by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

  • Luke 11:20

    But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.

  • Matthew 12:28

    But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.

  • Matthew 9:8

    But when the multitudes saw [it], they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.
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