Acts 3:21

KJV

Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

KJV (with Strong's)

Whom {G3739} the heaven {G3772}{G3303} must {G1163} receive {G1209} until {G891} the times {G5550} of restitution {G605} of all things {G3956}, which {G3739} God {G2316} hath spoken {G2980} by {G1223} the mouth {G4750} of all {G3956} his {G846} holy {G40} prophets {G4396} since {G575} the world began {G165}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He has to remain in heaven until the time comes for restoring everything, as God said long ago, when he spoke through the holy prophets.

Berean Standard Bible

Heaven must take Him in until the time comes for the restoration of all things, which God announced long ago through His holy prophets.

American Standard Version

whom the heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, whereof God spake by the mouth of his holy prophets that have been from of old.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 3:21, delivered by Peter in Solomon's Porch, encapsulates a profound theological truth regarding the ascended Christ and God's ultimate plan for creation. It declares that Jesus, having been received into heaven, will remain there until a divinely appointed time for the comprehensive restoration of all things, a future reality consistently foretold by God through His holy prophets throughout history. This verse underscores the necessity of Christ's heavenly session, the certainty of His return, and the ultimate consummation of God's redemptive purposes for the cosmos.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Peter's second sermon in the book of Acts, delivered to a crowd gathered at Solomon's Portico in the Temple following the miraculous healing of a man lame from birth (Acts 3:1-10). Peter uses the astonishment of the crowd as an opportunity to proclaim the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, whom they had rejected and crucified. He calls them to repentance and faith, emphasizing that God's plan, though seemingly disrupted by their rejection of Jesus, is still unfolding towards its glorious fulfillment. Acts 3:21 serves as a pivotal statement, explaining the current status of Jesus (in heaven) and the future trajectory of God's redemptive work, directly linking the present call to repentance with a grand eschatological hope. It follows Peter's declaration that Jesus is the "Author of life" whom God raised from the dead ([Acts 3:15](/acts/3-15 "Acts 3:15 - Jesus, Author of Life")) and precedes his final plea for repentance and conversion ([Acts 3:19](/acts/3-19 "Acts 3:19 - Call to Repentance")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Peter's sermon takes place in the Temple precincts in Jerusalem, a highly significant location for Jewish people. The audience would have been devout Jews, many of whom had recently been involved in or witnessed the crucifixion of Jesus. Their understanding of prophecy would have been deeply rooted in the Old Testament, which spoke extensively of a coming Messiah, a restored Israel, and a renewed creation. The concept of "restitution of all things" (ἀποκατάστασις) would resonate with prophetic expectations of a Messianic age where God's kingdom would be fully established, reversing the effects of the Fall and bringing about universal peace and righteousness. The reference to "all his holy prophets since the world began" grounds Peter's message firmly within the long-standing prophetic tradition of Israel, emphasizing continuity between God's ancient promises and their fulfillment in Christ.

* **Key Themes:** Acts 3:21 contributes significantly to several key themes within Acts and the broader New Testament. Firstly, it highlights the **sovereignty and divine necessity** of God's plan, particularly concerning Christ's ascension and future return. The phrase "heaven must receive" underscores that Jesus' current location is not arbitrary but part of a preordained divine timetable. Secondly, it introduces the profound theme of **cosmic restoration and eschatological hope**, pointing to a future era when all things will be brought back into their divinely intended order, reversing the curse of sin and establishing God's righteous reign. This aligns with prophetic visions of a [new heavens and new earth](/revelation/21-1 "Revelation 21:1 - New Heavens and New Earth") and the full manifestation of God's kingdom. Thirdly, the verse emphasizes the **continuity of God's revelation**, affirming that the plan unfolding through Christ is not new but has been consistently declared "by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began." This theme reinforces the unity of God's redemptive purpose across both Old and New Testaments, from the earliest prophecies (e.g., [Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "Genesis 3:15 - Protoevangelium")) to the grand visions of the prophets like [Isaiah](/isaiah/11 "Isaiah 11 - The Branch from Jesse") and [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/31-31 "Jeremiah 31:31 - The New Covenant").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **must (Greek, _deî'_):** This word signifies divine necessity or obligation. It indicates that Jesus' reception into heaven is not a temporary inconvenience or an optional arrangement, but a divinely ordained and indispensable part of God's sovereign plan. It implies a fixed, unalterable purpose that must come to pass.
* **receive (Greek, _déchomai'_):** This verb denotes an act of welcoming, accepting, or taking in. In this context, it describes heaven's act of receiving Jesus, signifying His ascension and enthronement at the right hand of God. It implies a place of honor, authority, and intercession, where He awaits the appointed time for His return.
* **restitution (Greek, _apokatástasis'_):** This crucial term means "restoration," "re-establishment," or "renewal." It refers to the comprehensive bringing back of all things to their original, perfect state, or to their divinely intended order. It encompasses not only spiritual renewal but also cosmic and physical restoration, reversing the effects of sin and the Fall, and culminating in the full establishment of God's righteous kingdom on earth.
* **since the world began (Greek, _apó aiṓn'_):** This phrase literally means "from age" or "from the age." The Greek word _aiṓn_ here refers to a long period of time, an age, or even the world itself as a temporal construct. Combined with _apó_ (from), it emphasizes the ancient, long-standing nature of God's prophetic declarations, indicating that the plan for restoration has been part of God's revealed purpose from the earliest times.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Whom the heaven must receive":** This clause refers directly to Jesus, emphasizing the divine necessity of His ascension into heaven. It highlights that His current state of being in heaven is not a random event but a preordained part of God's plan, signifying His enthronement and present reign at God's right hand.
* **"until the times of restitution of all things":** This is a crucial temporal marker. Jesus will remain in heaven until a specific, divinely appointed period—the "times of restitution." This "restitution" (ἀποκατάστασις) signifies a comprehensive restoration of creation and all things to their original, perfect, and divinely intended order, reversing the effects of sin and the Fall. It points to a future eschatological event.
* **"which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets":** This clause affirms the divine origin and prophetic certainty of this future restoration. It emphasizes that this grand plan is not a new idea but has been consistently revealed by God Himself through the inspired utterances of His prophets throughout Israel's history.
* **"since the world began":** This final phrase underscores the ancient and consistent nature of God's prophetic revelation. It indicates that the promise of a comprehensive restoration has been part of God's plan and prophetic word from the very beginning of human history, demonstrating the continuity and faithfulness of God's purposes.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Metonymy** is present in "the heaven must receive," where "heaven" stands for the divine realm or the presence of God, indicating that Jesus has ascended to the place of ultimate authority and power. The phrase "mouth of all his holy prophets" is also a form of **synecdoche**, where "mouth" represents the entirety of the prophetic utterance and the prophets themselves as channels of divine communication. The phrase "restitution of all things" uses **hyperbole** to convey the comprehensive nature of God's future restoration, implying a renewal that is all-encompassing, affecting every aspect of creation. Furthermore, the entire verse functions as a powerful **prophetic declaration**, looking forward to a future event and grounding its certainty in God's past and present revelation, creating a sense of anticipation and divine purpose.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 3:21 is a cornerstone verse that bridges Old Testament prophecy with New Testament fulfillment and future hope. It articulates the essential truth that Christ's ascension is not an end but a necessary phase in God's unfolding plan, leading to a grand cosmic restoration. This "restitution of all things" points to the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom, where creation will be freed from the bondage of decay and humanity will live in perfect harmony with God, as originally intended. It underscores the comprehensive nature of God's redemptive work, which extends beyond individual salvation to encompass the renewal of the entire cosmos. This future hope provides a powerful impetus for present repentance and faithful living, as believers are called to participate in God's restorative work while awaiting its glorious consummation.

* [Isaiah 65:17-25](/isaiah/65-17-25 "Isaiah 65:17-25 - New Heavens and New Earth")
* [Romans 8:19-23](/romans/8-19-23 "Romans 8:19-23 - Creation Groans for Redemption")
* [2 Peter 3:13](/2_peter/3-13 "2 Peter 3:13 - New Heavens and New Earth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 3:21 offers immense comfort and clarity for believers navigating a world still groaning under the weight of sin and brokenness. It reminds us that the current state of affairs is temporary and that God's ultimate purpose is one of comprehensive restoration. Jesus' ascension signifies His present reign and intercession, but also His temporary absence from physical sight, a period during which the Church is called to be His witnesses. Our hope is not merely for personal salvation, but for the renewal of all creation, a future where righteousness dwells and God's original design is perfectly realized. This perspective encourages patient endurance in suffering, fervent prayer for God's kingdom to come, and active participation in bringing glimpses of that future restoration into the present through acts of justice, mercy, and evangelism. It calls us to live with an eschatological imagination, seeing the world not just as it is, but as it will be under Christ's full reign.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the certainty of Christ's return and the "restitution of all things" impact your daily living and long-term perspective?**
* **In what ways can believers participate in God's work of "restitution" or restoration in the present world, even before Christ's full return?**
* **How does the knowledge that God has spoken of this plan "since the world began" strengthen your faith in His faithfulness and sovereign control?**

### FAQ
**What does "restitution of all things" mean in Acts 3:21?**

Answer: The "restitution of all things" (Greek: _apokatástasis_) refers to a comprehensive, future restoration of the cosmos to its divinely intended, perfect state. It signifies the reversal of the effects of sin and the Fall, leading to the full establishment of God's righteous kingdom on earth. This includes not only spiritual renewal for humanity but also the physical renewal of creation, bringing all things back into harmony with God's original design. It is not generally understood to mean universal salvation (the salvation of every individual soul), but rather a cosmic reordering and renewal, fulfilling the prophetic promises of a new heaven and new earth, as seen in passages like [Revelation 21:1](/revelation/21-1 "Revelation 21:1 - A New Heaven and New Earth").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 3:21 profoundly centers on Christ as the indispensable figure for the ultimate "restitution of all things." Peter's declaration highlights that Jesus' ascension is not an end but a necessary stage in God's redemptive plan, a temporary heavenly session "until" the appointed time for cosmic renewal. This concept is deeply rooted in the Old Testament prophecies of a coming Messianic age, where a righteous King would establish an everlasting kingdom and bring about universal peace and justice, as foretold in [Isaiah 9:6-7](/isaiah/9-6-7 "Isaiah 9:6-7 - The Prince of Peace"). Jesus, as the resurrected and ascended Lord, is the one through whom this grand restoration will be accomplished. His return, often referred to as the [Second Coming](/acts/1-11 "Acts 1:11 - Jesus' Return"), will usher in this glorious era, fulfilling the promises made "by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began." He is the "Alpha and the Omega," the one who makes "all things new" ([Revelation 21:5](/revelation/21-5 "Revelation 21:5 - Behold, I Make All Things New")), ultimately bringing creation back into perfect alignment with God's will and purpose, thereby demonstrating His full authority and sovereignty as the Lamb who was slain and is now glorified ([Revelation 5:12-13](/revelation/5-12-13 "Revelation 5:12-13 - Worthy is the Lamb")).

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

Romans 8:21

Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

Isaiah 1:26

And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city.

Acts 1:11

Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

Mark 9:11

And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elias must first come?

Mark 9:13

But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him.

Malachi 4:5

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:

Malachi 4:6

And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.