Acts 2:39

For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, [even] as many as the Lord our God shall call.

For {G1063} the promise {G1860} is {G2076} unto you {G5213}, and {G2532} to your {G5216} children {G5043}, and {G2532} to all {G3956} that are afar off {G1519}{G3112}, even as many as {G3745} the Lord {G2962} our {G2257} God {G2316} shall call {G302}{G4341}.

For the promise is for you, for your children, and for those far away โ€” as many as Adonai our God may call!โ€

This promise belongs to you and your children and to all who are far offโ€”to all whom the Lord our God will call to Himself.โ€

For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him.

Commentary

Acts 2:39 is a pivotal verse in Peter's sermon on the Day of Pentecost, immediately following the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. It expands on the offer of salvation previously made in Acts 2:38, clarifying the immense scope of God's redemptive plan and the reach of the new covenant.

Context

Peter's sermon on the Day of Pentecost is a foundational moment in Christian history. Having explained the miraculous outpouring of the Holy Spirit as a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy (Joel 2:28-32), Peter boldly proclaims Jesus as the crucified and resurrected Messiah. He then calls his Jewish audience to repentance and baptism for the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Verse 39 serves to emphasize the breadth and inclusivity of this divine invitation, extending it beyond the immediate listeners.

Key Themes

  • Universal Scope of God's Promise: The most striking theme is the expansive nature of God's salvation. "Unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off" explicitly broadens the promise beyond the Jewish people present in Jerusalem to future generations of Jews and, crucially, to the Gentiles. This anticipates the breaking down of barriers between Jew and Gentile in Christ (Galatians 3:28).
  • Divine Initiative and Call: The phrase "as many as the Lord our God shall call" highlights God's sovereign role in salvation. It underscores that receiving the promise is not merely a human decision but a response to a divine invitation and drawing (John 6:44). This call is personal and effective, extending to all whom God chooses to draw to Himself.
  • Continuity of God's Redemptive Plan: This verse connects the Old Testament promises and covenant hopes with their fulfillment in the New Covenant through Jesus Christ. The "promise" refers not only to the Holy Spirit but also to the broader scope of salvation and new life in Christ, available to all who believe.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "all that are afar off" translates the Greek tois eis makran (ฯ„ฮฟแฟ–ฯ‚ ฮตแผฐฯ‚ ฮผฮฑฮบฯฮฌฮฝ). While it could refer to Jews dispersed throughout the Roman Empire (the Diaspora), its broader theological implication, especially in light of subsequent New Testament revelation, is significant. It is widely understood to include the Gentiles, those who were formerly "far off" from the covenant and promises of God but are now brought near through the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:13). This phrase signals the inclusive nature of the Gospel message and its ultimate global reach.

Practical Application

Acts 2:39 provides profound encouragement and instruction for believers today:

  • Global Mission: It reinforces the imperative for the Church to share the Gospel with all people, regardless of their background, ethnicity, or geographical location. The promise is for "all that are afar off," urging believers to participate in the Great Commission.
  • Assurance for Generations: The inclusion of "your children" offers comfort and hope to parents, reminding them that God's covenant promises extend to their lineage.
  • Divine Grace and Call: It reminds us that salvation is fundamentally a work of God's grace, initiated by His call. This should foster humility and gratitude in believers, recognizing that their faith is a response to His divine drawing.
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

  • Isaiah 44:3

    For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:

  • Romans 8:30

    Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

  • Joel 2:32

    And it shall come to pass, [that] whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.

  • Genesis 17:7

    ยถ And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.

  • Genesis 17:8

    And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

  • Ephesians 4:4

    [There is] one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

  • Acts 15:8

    And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as [he did] unto us;
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