Acts 5:31

Him hath God exalted with his right hand [to be] a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

Him {G5126} hath God {G2316} exalted {G5312} with his {G846} right hand {G1188} to be a Prince {G747} and {G2532} a Saviour {G4990}, for to give {G1325} repentance {G3341} to Israel {G2474}, and {G2532} forgiveness {G859} of sins {G266}.

God has exalted this man at his right hand as Ruler and Savior, in order to enable Isra’el to do t’shuvah and have her sins forgiven.

God exalted Him to His right hand as Prince and Savior, in order to grant repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.

Him did God exalt with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins.

Acts 5:31 is a powerful declaration by the Apostle Peter before the Sanhedrin, affirming the resurrected Jesus's supreme authority and purpose. It encapsulates the core message of the early Christian church: the crucified Jesus has been exalted by God to offer the essential gifts of repentance and forgiveness.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse is part of Peter's bold defense after he and the other apostles were miraculously released from prison and continued preaching the resurrection of Jesus, defying the Jewish religious authorities' commands. The Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish court, had forbidden them from speaking in the name of Jesus (Acts 4:18), yet the apostles declared, "We ought to obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29). Peter's statement here underscores the core message of the early church: Jesus, whom they crucified, has been exalted by God, demonstrating His divine power and authority over all human institutions.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Exaltation of Jesus: God has highly exalted Jesus, not merely as a prophet but as a divine ruler. The phrase "with his right hand" signifies God's ultimate power, approval, and authority bestowed upon Christ, positioning Him as sovereign Lord.
  • Jesus as Prince and Saviour: These titles highlight His dual, essential role. As 'Prince,' He is the leader, the originator, and the one who paves the way to salvation. As 'Saviour,' He provides deliverance from sin and its consequences. This combination emphasizes His authority to command and His power to rescue.
  • The Gift of Repentance and Forgiveness: The verse explicitly states that Jesus was exalted "for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins." This shows that both repentance (a change of mind leading to a change of direction) and forgiveness are divine gifts, made possible through Christ's atoning work. While specifically addressed to Israel, the principle extends to all who believe.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Greek word for 'Prince' is Archēgos (ἀρχηγός), which can mean 'leader,' 'author,' 'pioneer,' or 'founder.' It implies not just a ruler, but one who initiates or begins something. This resonates with how Jesus is also called the 'Author of life' in Acts 3:15. He is the one who leads the way to salvation.
  • The term 'Saviour' (Sōtēr - σωτήρ) emphasizes His role as the deliverer and preserver, one who brings salvation.
  • The phrase 'with his right hand' (τῇ δεξιᾷ αὐτοῦ) is a powerful anthropomorphism, symbolizing God's immense power, honor, and active involvement in Jesus's exaltation, aligning with prophecies of the Messiah's ascension to power (Psalm 110:1).

Practical Application

Acts 5:31 reminds us that Jesus Christ holds supreme authority, having been exalted by God Himself. His purpose in this exaltation is profoundly gracious: to offer humanity the indispensable gifts of repentance and forgiveness. For believers, this verse reinforces the secure foundation of their faith in Christ as both their sovereign Lord and their personal deliverer. It encourages a humble reliance on God's grace for true change and pardon. For those seeking truth, it highlights that the path to reconciliation with God begins with acknowledging Jesus's authority and accepting His offer of repentance and the cleansing forgiveness of sins.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, 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. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Luke 24:47

    And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

  • Acts 2:33

    Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

  • Luke 2:11

    For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

  • Acts 11:18

    When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

  • 1 John 4:14

    ¶ And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son [to be] the Saviour of the world.

  • Hebrews 2:10

    ¶ For it became him, for whom [are] all things, and by whom [are] all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

  • Revelation 1:5

    And from Jesus Christ, [who is] the faithful witness, [and] the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

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