Acts 3:20

KJV

And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} he shall send {G649} Jesus {G2424} Christ {G5547}, which before was preached {G4296} unto you {G5213}:

Complete Jewish Bible

so that times of refreshing may come from the Lord’s presence; and he may send the Messiah appointed in advance for you, that is, Yeshua.

Berean Standard Bible

that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus, the Christ, who has been appointed for you.

American Standard Version

and that he may send the Christ who hath been appointed for you, even Jesus:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 3:20 is a pivotal declaration within Peter's second sermon in Jerusalem, delivered following the miraculous healing of a lame man. It articulates God's sovereign promise to send Jesus Christ back to His people, directly linking this future event to the repentance and conversion of the Jewish nation. This verse underscores the pre-ordained role of Jesus as the Messiah, whose return will usher in a period of divine restoration and refreshing.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded in the narrative flow of Peter's address to the Jewish crowd gathered in the Temple courts after the healing of the lame man at the Beautiful Gate [Acts 3:1-10](/acts/3-1-10 "Acts 3:1-10 - Healing of the Lame Man"). Peter seizes this moment of awe and attention to proclaim the resurrected Christ, directly confronting their role in His crucifixion while also offering a path to reconciliation. Verse 20 serves as a direct consequence and promise flowing from the call to "repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord" [Acts 3:19](/acts/3-19 "Acts 3:19 - Call to Repentance and Refreshing"). It immediately precedes the declaration of "the times of restitution of all things" [Acts 3:21](/acts/3-21 "Acts 3:21 - The Restitution of All Things"), forming a cohesive theological unit that outlines God's redemptive plan for Israel, culminating in the Messiah's return and a renewed creation.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Peter's sermon takes place in the Temple precincts in Jerusalem, a highly significant religious and cultural center for the Jewish people. The audience would have been devout Jews, many of whom had recently witnessed or participated in the rejection and crucifixion of Jesus. They were steeped in Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah, often expecting a political deliverer who would restore Israel's earthly kingdom. Peter's message, therefore, was revolutionary: the Messiah they rejected was indeed the Christ, and His return was contingent upon their national repentance. The concept of a Messiah who would suffer and then return was a challenging one, contrasting with prevailing messianic expectations. The "times of refreshing" and "restitution of all things" would have resonated with their hopes for a restored Israel and a renewed covenant, albeit now understood through the lens of Jesus' messianic identity.

* **Key Themes:** Acts 3:20 contributes significantly to several key themes within the book of Acts and broader New Testament theology. Firstly, it powerfully reinforces the theme of **Christ's Second Coming** and the eschatological hope for His return, a central tenet of early Christian preaching. Secondly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Foreknowledge**, emphasizing that Jesus' identity, suffering, resurrection, and future return were all part of God's predetermined plan, "which before was preached unto you." This connects to the idea that God's plan unfolds according to His perfect timing and purpose, even through human ignorance or rejection, as Peter explicitly states in [Acts 3:17-18](/acts/3-17-18 "Acts 3:17-18 - Ignorance and Prophetic Fulfillment"). Finally, the verse underscores the theme of **Repentance and Restoration**, presenting the sending of Jesus as the ultimate culmination of Israel's turning back to God, leading to the full "restitution of all things" [Acts 3:21](/acts/3-21 "Acts 3:21 - The Restitution of All Things"), a concept deeply rooted in Old Testament prophetic promises of national renewal.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **send (Greek, _apostéllō'_):** From ἀπό (apo, "from") and στέλλω (stellō, "to set, arrange"). This verb means "to send out, dispatch, commission," often with the implication of sending someone with authority or for a specific mission. Here, it signifies God's deliberate and authoritative act of dispatching Jesus Christ. It is not merely a passive return but an active, divine initiative to send Him forth for a specific purpose, echoing His first mission.
* **Jesus (Greek, _Iēsoûs'_):** Of Hebrew origin (יְהוֹשׁוּעַ, Yehoshua), meaning "Yahweh is salvation." This is the personal name of the Son of God, emphasizing His historical humanity and His saving work. Its inclusion here specifies that the one to be sent is not a new figure, but the very same person whom they knew, rejected, and who was resurrected.
* **Christ (Greek, _Christós'_)::** From χρίω (chriō, "to anoint"). This title means "Anointed One" or "Messiah." It identifies Jesus as the divinely appointed and consecrated King, Prophet, and Priest, the fulfillment of Old Testament messianic prophecies. Peter's use of "Jesus Christ" here is a powerful theological statement, asserting that the crucified Jesus is indeed the long-awaited Messiah.
* **preached (Greek, _prokērýssō'_):** From πρό (pro, "before") and κηρύσσω (kērýssō, "to herald, proclaim"). This word means "to herald or proclaim in advance." While the KJV translates it as "preached," the underlying Greek carries a stronger sense of "to proclaim beforehand" or "to announce in advance." In this context, it refers to the prior divine designation or appointment of Jesus as the Christ, which was then proclaimed by the prophets and now by the apostles. It suggests a pre-ordained plan rather than just a general proclamation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he shall send Jesus Christ":** This clause emphasizes God's active role as the sender. The future tense "shall send" (ἀποστελεῖ) highlights a definite, certain future event. The subject "he" refers implicitly to God the Father, who resurrected Jesus and will now send Him back. The object "Jesus Christ" unequivocally identifies the one to be sent as the same historical person, Jesus of Nazareth, now fully recognized as the Messiah. This is a divine promise, not a human aspiration.
* **"which before was preached unto you":** This clause clarifies the identity and divine appointment of Jesus. The Greek word translated "preached" (προκεχειρισμένον, _prokecheirismenon_) is a perfect passive participle, suggesting a past action with ongoing results, meaning "fore-appointed," "fore-ordained," or "designated beforehand." It means that Jesus, as the Christ, was not a new or unexpected figure, but the one whom God had long ago determined and announced through the prophets to the people of Israel. This connects Jesus' mission and return directly to the Old Testament prophetic tradition, affirming the continuity of God's redemptive plan.

#### Literary Devices
Peter's sermon, and specifically this verse, employs several potent literary devices. **Prophetic Language** is central, as Peter speaks not merely of a future event but of a divinely ordained fulfillment of ancient prophecies, particularly those concerning the Messiah's return and the establishment of God's kingdom. The phrase "he shall send" carries the weight of a divine decree, echoing the authoritative pronouncements of Old Testament prophets. There is also a subtle **Irony** at play: the very people who rejected and crucified Jesus are now being told that their repentance is linked to God sending *Him* back—the one they cast out is the one who will bring their ultimate restoration. This highlights the unexpected nature of God's grace and redemptive plan. Furthermore, the use of **Emphasis** is evident in the clear identification of "Jesus Christ" as the one to be sent, leaving no ambiguity about His identity or role. The phrase "which before was preached unto you" serves as a powerful rhetorical device, reminding the audience of their own heritage and the long-standing divine plan they were now being called to embrace.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 3:20 stands as a foundational text for Christian eschatology, affirming the certainty of Jesus Christ's return. It links human repentance directly to the divine initiative of God sending His Son back to earth, not as a new or different figure, but as the same Jesus who was crucified and resurrected. This promise underscores God's faithfulness to His covenant people and His ultimate plan for the "restitution of all things," which encompasses both spiritual renewal and cosmic restoration. The verse emphasizes that Jesus is the divinely appointed Messiah, whose future coming is not merely a hope but a pre-ordained reality, proclaimed throughout history. It reveals a God who is sovereign over time and history, bringing His purposes to fruition through the person of Jesus Christ.

* [Revelation 22:20](/revelation/22-20 "Revelation 22:20 - Maranatha, Come Lord Jesus!")
* [1 Thessalonians 4:16-17](/1_thessalonians/4-16-17 "1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 - The Lord's Descent and Resurrection")
* [Titus 2:13](/titus/2-13 "Titus 2:13 - The Blessed Hope")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 3:20 offers profound encouragement and a vital call to readiness for all who hear the Gospel today. For believers, it reinforces the "blessed hope" of Jesus' glorious return, reminding us that our faith is not in vain and that God's ultimate plan for redemption and restoration will indeed be fulfilled. This future reality should shape our present lives, fostering a sense of urgency in sharing the Gospel and living in a manner that honors Christ. Just as Peter urged his listeners, this verse underscores the timeless importance of repentance—a continual turning from sin and toward God—as a prerequisite for experiencing His refreshing presence and participating in His coming kingdom. It calls us to live with an eternal perspective, understanding that our actions today have significance in light of Christ's imminent return. The continuity of God's plan, highlighted by the fact that the same Jesus who came the first time will return, builds unwavering confidence in God's faithfulness and His sovereign control over history, inviting us to trust Him fully amidst life's uncertainties.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the promise of Jesus' return in Acts 3:20 impact your daily living and priorities?**
* **In what ways does this verse challenge you to a deeper level of repentance or ongoing conversion?**
* **How does understanding Jesus as the "Christ, which before was preached" strengthen your faith in God's consistent and sovereign plan?**

### FAQ

**Does "he shall send Jesus Christ" imply a different sending than His first coming, or is it His Second Coming?**

Answer: This phrase refers to Jesus' Second Coming. Peter is speaking to a Jewish audience who had witnessed Jesus' first coming, His crucifixion, and His resurrection. The context of [Acts 3:19](/acts/3-19 "Acts 3:19 - Call to Repentance and Refreshing") ("times of refreshing") and [Acts 3:21](/acts/3-21 "Acts 3:21 - The Restitution of All Things") ("times of restitution of all things") clearly points to an future, eschatological event when Jesus will return from heaven to fully establish His kingdom and bring about cosmic renewal. It is the same Jesus, sent by the same God, but for a different, culminating phase of His redemptive work.

**What is the significance of "which before was preached unto you" if they rejected Him?**

Answer: The Greek word translated "preached" (προκεχειρισμένον, _prokecheirismenon_) carries the stronger meaning of "fore-appointed" or "designated beforehand." This emphasizes that Jesus' identity as the Christ was not a new or arbitrary idea, but part of God's eternal plan, revealed through the Old Testament prophets [Acts 3:22-24](/acts/3-22-24 "Acts 3:22-24 - Moses and All the Prophets"). Even though the Jewish people, in their ignorance, rejected Him in His first coming [Acts 3:17](/acts/3-17 "Acts 3:17 - Peter's Explanation of Ignorance"), He was always the divinely chosen Messiah. This phrase highlights God's sovereignty and the continuity of His redemptive purpose, reminding the audience that the very one they rejected was the fulfillment of their own prophetic heritage.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 3:20 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus, who is not only the subject of this prophecy but its ultimate embodiment. The "sending" of Jesus Christ is the culmination of God's redemptive plan, foreshadowed throughout the Old Testament and now explicitly proclaimed by Peter. Jesus is the promised Messiah, the "Anointed One" [Christós](/acts/3-20 "Acts 3:20 - Jesus Christ"), whose return will bring about the "times of refreshing" and the "restitution of all things" [Acts 3:21](/acts/3-21 "Acts 3:21 - The Restitution of All Things"). His first coming inaugurated the kingdom of God, and His second coming will bring it to its glorious consummation. The phrase "which before was preached unto you" points to Jesus as the fulfillment of all Old Testament prophecies, the one whom Moses and all the prophets spoke of [Acts 3:22-24](/acts/3-22-24 "Acts 3:22-24 - Moses and All the Prophets"). He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), the King who will return in power and great glory [Matthew 24:30](/matthew/24-30 "Matthew 24:30 - The Sign of the Son of Man"), and the one who will judge the living and the dead [Acts 10:42](/acts/10-42 "Acts 10:42 - Jesus Appointed Judge"). Thus, Acts 3:20 is not merely a statement about a future event, but a powerful affirmation of Jesus' unique identity as the divinely appointed Savior and Lord, whose past work, present reign, and future return are all central to God's eternal purpose. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end of God's redemptive story [Revelation 22:13](/revelation/22-13 "Revelation 22:13 - Alpha and Omega").

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

2 Thessalonians 2:2

That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

Matthew 24:30

And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Matthew 24:36

But of that day and hour knoweth no [man], no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Revelation 1:7

Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they [also] which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

Luke 19:11

¶ And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.

Revelation 19:11

¶ And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him [was] called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

Revelation 19:16

And he hath on [his] vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.