Acts 3:24

KJV

Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.

KJV (with Strong's)

Yea {G2532}, and {G1161} all {G3956} the prophets {G4396} from {G575} Samuel {G4545} and {G2532} those that follow after {G2517}, as many as {G3745} have spoken {G2980}, have {G4293} likewise {G2532} foretold {G4293} of these {G5025} days {G2250}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Indeed, all the prophets announced these days, starting with Sh’mu’el and continuing through all who followed.

Berean Standard Bible

Indeed, all the prophets from Samuel on, as many as have spoken, have proclaimed these days.

American Standard Version

Yea and all the prophets from Samuel and them that followed after, as many as have spoken, they also told of these days.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 3:24 serves as a pivotal declaration within Peter's second sermon in Jerusalem, asserting that the entirety of Israel's prophetic tradition, commencing with Samuel, consistently foretold the very era and events now unfolding through Jesus Christ. This verse underscores the divine orchestration of history, presenting Christ's life, ministry, death, resurrection, and the subsequent outpouring of the Holy Spirit not as random occurrences, but as the precise and long-anticipated culmination of God's revealed plan, validating Jesus' messianic identity and mission.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Peter's powerful sermon to the Jewish crowd gathered at Solomon's Portico, immediately following the miraculous healing of a man lame from birth, as recounted in [Acts 3:1-10](/acts/3-1-10 "Acts 3:1-10 - Healing of the Lame Man"). Peter seized this moment of awe and attention to preach the gospel, directly addressing the crowd's responsibility in the crucifixion of Jesus while simultaneously offering a path to repentance and forgiveness. His sermon, spanning [Acts 3:12-26](/acts/3-12-26 "Acts 3:12-26 - Peter's Second Sermon"), systematically presents Jesus as the Messiah, the "Holy and Righteous One" whom they had denied, but whom God had raised from the dead. Verse 24 specifically functions as a theological anchor, establishing the continuity between the Old Testament prophetic witness and the New Testament reality of Christ, thereby legitimizing the Christian message within a Jewish framework. Peter strategically builds his argument by referencing figures like Moses (as seen in [Acts 3:22-23](/acts/3-22-23 "Acts 3:22-23 - Moses' Prophecy of the Prophet")), demonstrating that the current events are not novel but are the fulfillment of ancient promises.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Peter's audience in Jerusalem was deeply steeped in the Hebrew Scriptures and held strong expectations regarding the Messiah. They understood the role of prophets as God's spokesmen, delivering divine messages and foretelling future events, particularly concerning the coming of the Messiah and the establishment of God's kingdom. The mention of "Samuel" is highly significant. Samuel was a transitional figure, bridging the era of the Judges and the monarchy, establishing the prophetic office as a powerful force in Israel, and anointing its first two kings ([1 Samuel 10](/1_samuel/10 "1 Samuel 10 - Saul Anointed King") and [1 Samuel 16](/1_samuel/16 "1 Samuel 16 - David Anointed King")). By beginning with Samuel, Peter invokes a foundational figure in Israel's prophetic history, signaling that the prophetic tradition, from its re-establishment after Moses, consistently pointed towards "these days"—the Messianic age. The Jewish people would have been familiar with prophecies concerning a suffering servant ([Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant")), a new covenant ([Jeremiah 31](/jeremiah/31 "Jeremiah 31 - The New Covenant")), and a righteous king from David's line ([2 Samuel 7](/2_samuel/7 "2 Samuel 7 - The Davidic Covenant")), all of which Peter implicitly argues are fulfilled in Jesus.

* **Key Themes:** Acts 3:24 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Acts and broader biblical theology. The most prominent is **Prophetic Fulfillment**, asserting that Jesus is the culmination of all Old Testament prophecies. Peter's sermon, like his earlier address in [Acts 2](/acts/2 "Acts 2 - Peter's Sermon at Pentecost"), consistently highlights how the events surrounding Christ—His life, death, resurrection, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit—were not accidental but divinely ordained and meticulously foretold by God's spokesmen throughout history. This theme underscores the **Divine Continuity** of God's redemptive plan, demonstrating that the New Testament era is not a departure from, but the natural progression and ultimate realization of, God's promises revealed through the prophets of old. By pointing to the fulfilled prophecies, Peter also emphasizes the **Reliability of God's Word**. What God promised through His prophets, He faithfully brought to pass in Jesus Christ, thereby establishing the trustworthiness of Scripture and the certainty of God's purposes. This theme serves to reinforce the authority of Peter's message and the divine origin of the Christian faith.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **prophets (Greek, _prophḗtēs'_):** From a compound of _pro_ (before) and _phēmi_ (to speak), this term refers to a "foreteller" or "inspired speaker." In the biblical context, a prophet was one who spoke on behalf of God, conveying divine messages, often involving predictions of future events, but also delivering moral instruction, warnings, and promises. The inclusion of "all the prophets" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of this divine witness.
* **foretold (Greek, _prokatangéllō'_):** From _pro_ (before) and _katangéllō_ (to proclaim, announce), this verb means "to announce beforehand," "to predict," or "to promise." It signifies a deliberate and specific proclamation, not merely a vague prediction or general observation. This highlights that the prophets were speaking under direct divine inspiration, revealing God's precise plan for the future, culminating in the person and work of Jesus.
* **days (Greek, _hēméra'_):** While literally meaning a 24-hour period, in this context, _hēméra_ figuratively denotes a significant "period" or "era," specifically defined by the context. Here, "these days" refers to the Messianic age, inaugurated by Christ's first coming, characterized by His ministry, crucifixion, resurrection, ascension, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. It signifies the dawning of the new covenant era, long anticipated by the prophets.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after":** This clause establishes the scope of prophetic witness. "Yea, and" (καὶ δέ, _kai de_) serves to emphasize and add to the previous point. "All the prophets" indicates a comprehensive testimony, not just a select few. The phrase "from Samuel and those that follow after" is a merism, a figure of speech where two contrasting parts represent the whole. Samuel marks a significant point in Israel's prophetic history, effectively initiating the continuous line of prophets after Moses, leading up to John the Baptist. This signifies that the entire prophetic tradition, from its re-establishment, consistently pointed towards the Messianic age.
* **"as many as have spoken":** This phrase further reinforces the universality and consistency of the prophetic message. It emphasizes that every prophet who uttered a divine word contributed to this overarching testimony. The prophets were not speaking in isolation or without purpose; their collective message formed a coherent narrative of God's redemptive plan.
* **"have likewise foretold of these days":** This is the core assertion of the verse. The verb "foretold" (προκατήγγειλαν, _prokatēngeilan_) stresses a deliberate, prior announcement. "Likewise" (καὶ, _kai_) indicates that their message was consistent and unified. "These days" refers to the contemporary period Peter's audience was living in—the era of Jesus Christ, His life, death, resurrection, and the subsequent events including the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the establishment of the church. This clause directly links the ancient prophetic utterances to the present reality, affirming that the Messianic prophecies were now being fulfilled before their very eyes.

#### Literary Devices
Peter's statement in Acts 3:24 employs several significant literary devices to enhance its impact and theological weight. **Synecdoche** is evident in the phrase "from Samuel and those that follow after," where Samuel, a pivotal figure, stands in for the entire post-Mosaic prophetic tradition. This rhetorical device efficiently encapsulates a vast span of prophetic history, implying that the prophetic stream originating with Samuel consistently flowed towards the Messianic era. The verse also utilizes **Emphasis** through the repeated assertion of the prophets' unanimous foretelling. The cumulative effect of "all the prophets," "as many as have spoken," and "have likewise foretold" strongly underscores the comprehensive and unified nature of the prophetic witness concerning Christ. Furthermore, the entire verse functions as a powerful declaration of **Fulfillment**, which is a central narrative and theological device throughout Acts. Peter is not merely stating a historical fact but is interpreting the present events as the direct and undeniable realization of ancient divine promises, thereby validating Jesus' messianic claims and the dawning of God's new covenant.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 3:24 provides a profound theological insight into the unity and coherence of God's redemptive plan throughout history. It asserts that the Old Testament is not merely a collection of disconnected narratives and laws, but a divinely inspired prelude to the coming of Jesus Christ. The consistent prophetic witness, spanning centuries, demonstrates God's unwavering purpose and meticulous orchestration of events, culminating in the person and work of the Messiah. This verse highlights that God's plan of salvation is singular and progressive, with the Old Covenant prophecies serving as a divinely revealed blueprint for the New Covenant realities in Christ. It underscores the concept of biblical theology, where the entire biblical narrative points to Jesus as its central figure and ultimate goal, revealing a God who is faithful to His promises and sovereign over all history.

* [Luke 24:44](/luke/24-44 "Luke 24:44 - Jesus Explains the Scriptures")
* [1 Peter 1:10-12](/1_peter/1-10-12 "1 Peter 1:10-12 - The Prophets' Search")
* [Romans 1:2](/romans/1-2 "Romans 1:2 - The Gospel Promised Through Prophets")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 3:24 offers profound encouragement and a clear call to action for believers today. It strengthens our faith by revealing the meticulous nature of God's plan, demonstrating that the events of salvation history, centered on Jesus Christ, were not random but were precisely foretold and divinely orchestrated. This deep continuity between the Old and New Testaments reinforces the Bible's unity and divine inspiration, assuring us that God's Word is utterly trustworthy and His promises are unfailing. For us, this means recognizing Jesus as the ultimate interpretive key to all Scripture; every prophecy, every type, every shadow points to Him. It should compel us to delve deeper into the Old Testament, seeking to understand how it foreshadows Christ and His redemptive work. Moreover, like Peter's audience, we are called to respond to this truth with repentance and faith, acknowledging Jesus as the promised Messiah and committing our lives to Him. Understanding that we live in "these days"—the fulfillment of ancient prophecies—should inspire a sense of awe and urgency, motivating us to live lives that reflect the reality of God's kingdom breaking into the present.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the fulfillment of ancient prophecies in Jesus strengthen your personal faith in God's Word and His plan?**
* **In what ways does understanding the continuity between the Old Testament prophets and Jesus deepen your appreciation for the Bible as a unified story?**
* **How might recognizing that we live in "these days" — the time of prophetic fulfillment — impact your daily priorities and your sense of mission?**
* **What specific Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah come to mind, and how does Acts 3:24 encourage you to explore them further?**

### FAQ
**Why does Peter specifically mention Samuel as the starting point for "all the prophets"?**

Answer: Peter's mention of Samuel is highly significant because Samuel represents a pivotal figure in Israel's prophetic history. While Moses was the great prophet of the Exodus and the Law, the prophetic office as a continuous, institutionalized force in Israel saw a resurgence and re-establishment through Samuel. He bridged the period of the Judges and the monarchy, anointing Israel's first two kings and initiating a new era of direct divine communication through prophets. By saying "from Samuel and those that follow after," Peter is using a rhetorical device (a merism) to encompass the entire line of prophets who spoke after Moses, implying a continuous, unified prophetic witness from that point forward, all pointing to the coming Messiah. It emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the prophetic testimony concerning Christ.

**What does "these days" refer to in Acts 3:24?**

Answer: In the context of Peter's sermon, "these days" refers to the era inaugurated by the first coming of Jesus Christ. This encompasses His earthly ministry, His crucifixion, His resurrection, His ascension, and crucially, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, which Peter had preached about in [Acts 2](/acts/2 "Acts 2 - Peter's Sermon at Pentecost"). It signifies the dawning of the Messianic age, the time of fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah and the establishment of God's kingdom. Peter is asserting that his audience is living in the very period that generations of prophets had looked forward to and foretold.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 3:24 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus, who stands as the apex and culmination of all biblical prophecy. Every prophet, from Samuel to John the Baptist, served as a voice preparing the way for the Messiah, and their collective witness, as Peter asserts, "foretold of these days"—the era of Christ's redemptive work. Jesus Himself affirmed this truth, stating that all things written about Him in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled ([Luke 24:44](/luke/24-44 "Luke 24:44 - Jesus Explains the Scriptures")). He is the "Prophet like Moses" whom God raised up ([Acts 3:22](/acts/3-22 "Acts 3:22 - Moses' Prophecy Fulfilled in Jesus")), the Suffering Servant of Isaiah ([Isaiah 53:5-6](/isaiah/53-5-6 "Isaiah 53:5-6 - The Suffering Servant")), the Son of David who would reign eternally ([2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12-16 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - The Davidic Covenant")), and the one who would inaugurate a New Covenant ([Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31-34 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The New Covenant")). Thus, Acts 3:24 powerfully declares that Jesus is not merely a prophet, but the very subject and fulfillment of all prophecy, the one in whom God's ancient promises find their resounding "Yes" and "Amen" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises are Yes in Christ")).

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

Acts 3:21

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.

Luke 24:27

And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

1 Samuel 3:20

And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel [was] established [to be] a prophet of the LORD.

Psalms 99:6

¶ Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.

1 Samuel 3:1

¶ And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; [there was] no open vision.

Acts 13:20

And after that he gave [unto them] judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.

Romans 3:21

But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;