Luke 24:47

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} that repentance {G3341} and {G2532} remission {G859} of sins {G266} should be preached {G2784} in {G1909} his {G846} name {G3686} among {G1519} all {G3956} nations {G1484}, beginning {G756} at {G575} Jerusalem {G2419}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and in his name repentance leading to forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed to people from all nations, starting with Yerushalayim.

Berean Standard Bible

and in His name repentance and forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem.

American Standard Version

and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name unto all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 24:47 encapsulates Jesus' post-resurrection commission to His disciples, articulating the core message and universal scope of the Christian mission. It declares that the twin truths of repentance and the forgiveness of sins are to be proclaimed in Christ's authoritative name to all peoples, commencing from Jerusalem. This foundational mandate outlines the transformative essence of the Gospel and the global reach of God's redemptive plan, setting the trajectory for the early church's evangelistic endeavors.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is part of Jesus' final, crucial instructions to His disciples following His resurrection and prior to His ascension. In the preceding verses of [Luke 24](/luke/24 "Luke 24 - The Resurrection and Commission"), Jesus has appeared to His bewildered followers, explaining how the Old Testament Scriptures foretold His suffering, death, and resurrection ([Luke 24:44-46](/luke/24-44-46 "Luke 24:44-46 - Jesus Explains the Scriptures")). Having established the theological necessity of His redemptive work, He then clarifies the disciples' purpose: to proclaim the implications of these events. Luke 24:47 directly follows this theological grounding, serving as the Great Commission in Luke's Gospel, which naturally leads into the narrative of the Book of Acts, detailing the Spirit-empowered expansion of this very message.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Jerusalem, a city deeply significant to both Jewish history and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. For centuries, the Jewish people had anticipated the Messiah, often with nationalistic expectations of political liberation. Jesus' commission, however, radically redefines the scope of salvation, moving beyond an exclusive focus on Israel to embrace "all nations." This universal vision was a profound shift from prevailing Jewish thought, which often viewed Gentiles as outside the covenant. The command to begin "at Jerusalem" is culturally significant, as it was the spiritual and political heart of Judaism, the place of the temple, and the site of Christ's crucifixion and resurrection. It signifies that the new covenant message, though universal in scope, has its historical roots and initial validation within the very context of God's dealings with Israel.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 24:47 contributes significantly to several major themes within Luke-Acts. It underscores the theme of **Prophetic Fulfillment**, as Jesus explicitly states that the events concerning Him "must be fulfilled" ([Luke 24:44](/luke/24-44 "Luke 24:44 - Fulfillment of Prophecy")) and now commissions His followers to proclaim the message that fulfills Old Testament promises of salvation for all peoples (e.g., [Isaiah 49:6](/isaiah/49-6 "Isaiah 49:6 - Light to the Gentiles")). It highlights the **Universal Scope of the Gospel**, moving beyond ethnic boundaries to encompass "all nations" ([Luke 24:47](/luke/24-47 "Luke 24:47 - The Great Commission")), a theme that dominates the Book of Acts. Furthermore, it emphasizes the **Authority of Christ** ("in his name") as the sole basis for the message and the power of salvation, and the **Necessity of Repentance and Forgiveness** as the core content of the preached Gospel, essential for human reconciliation with God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Repentance (Greek, _metánoia'_):** From G3341, this word signifies a profound change of mind, a turning away from sin and toward God. It is not merely a feeling of regret or remorse, but a transformative reorientation of one's life, will, and moral direction, leading to a new way of living in accordance with God's will.
* **Remission (Greek, _áphesis'_):** From G859, this term denotes freedom, pardon, or the sending away of sins. It conveys the powerful image of sins being completely released, forgiven, and removed, liberating the individual from the guilt, penalty, and power of sin. This forgiveness is made possible through Christ's atoning sacrifice.
* **Preached (Greek, _kērýssō'_):** From G2784, this verb means "to herald" or "to proclaim as a public crier," especially divine truth or the gospel. It implies an authoritative, public, and urgent declaration of a message, underscoring the imperative and open nature of the Gospel proclamation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And that repentance and remission of sins":** This phrase identifies the dual, inseparable components of the Gospel message. Repentance is the human response of turning from sin, while remission (forgiveness) is God's gracious act of pardoning sin, made possible by Christ's work. Both are essential for reconciliation with God.
* **"should be preached in his name":** This specifies the authority and power by which the message is proclaimed and made effective. To preach "in his name" means to preach by the authority of Jesus Christ, drawing upon His completed redemptive work, His divine person, and His ongoing Lordship. Salvation, therefore, is uniquely found and offered through Him.
* **"among all nations":** This clause defines the universal scope of the Gospel mission. The message is not confined to a specific ethnic or national group (like Israel) but is intended for "all nations" (Greek: _pâs éthnos_, G3956 G1484), signifying its global reach and God's desire to redeem people from every tribe, tongue, and nation.
* **"beginning at Jerusalem":** This designates the strategic starting point for the global proclamation. Jerusalem, the place of Jesus' crucifixion, resurrection, and the future outpouring of the Holy Spirit, serves as the historical and theological epicenter from which the Gospel would radiate outwards, demonstrating the continuity of God's plan rooted in Israel while expanding to the world.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 24:47 employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Commission**, as Jesus issues an authoritative directive to His disciples, outlining their future mission. This commission is characterized by **Conciseness**, packing immense theological and missional scope into a single sentence. There is also an element of **Juxtaposition** or **Contrast** in the geographical directive: the message is universal ("among all nations") yet has a specific, historically anchored starting point ("beginning at Jerusalem"). Finally, the phrase "in his name" functions as a form of **Metonymy**, where "name" stands for the entire person, authority, power, and character of Jesus Christ, signifying that the efficacy and legitimacy of the preached message derive wholly from Him.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 24:47 is a theological cornerstone, linking the finished work of Christ to the ongoing mission of the church. It underscores that the core of the Christian message is centered on humanity's fundamental problem—sin—and God's gracious solution through Christ. The necessity of repentance highlights human responsibility in turning towards God, while the promise of remission of sins emphasizes God's sovereign grace and the efficacy of Christ's atonement. This verse directly connects to the broader biblical narrative of God's redemptive plan, which, though initiated with Abraham and the nation of Israel, always held a universal scope, aiming to bless all families of the earth. It serves as the launchpad for the Great Commission, demonstrating that the Gospel is not merely an intellectual assent but a call to transformative change and an offer of profound liberation from sin's bondage, extended to every corner of the globe through Christ's authority.

* [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power to Be Witnesses")
* [Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission")
* [Isaiah 49:6](/isaiah/49-6 "Isaiah 49:6 - A Light for the Gentiles")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 24:47 stands as a timeless and powerful mandate for every follower of Christ, reminding us of the essential nature of our faith and our calling. It compels us first to personal introspection: have we truly experienced the "repentance and remission of sins" that Jesus commanded to be preached? This involves an honest turning away from our own ways and a trusting embrace of God's forgiveness offered through Christ. Secondly, it calls us to active participation in God's global mission. The command to preach "among all nations" means that the Gospel is for everyone, transcending cultural, social, and geographical barriers. We are to begin "at Jerusalem"—our immediate communities, families, and workplaces—and then look beyond, supporting and engaging in the global proclamation of this life-changing message. Our confidence in this mission rests entirely "in his name," knowing that the authority and power for salvation belong to Christ alone.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does "repentance" truly mean for my life today, beyond mere regret?**
* **How does understanding the "remission of sins" through Christ deepen my gratitude and assurance of salvation?**
* **In what ways am I actively participating in preaching this message, starting from my own "Jerusalem" and extending to "all nations"?**
* **How does relying "in his name" empower me to share the Gospel despite fear or inadequacy?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "repentance and remission of sins" being preached together?**

Answer: These two concepts are intrinsically linked and form the core of the Gospel message. "Repentance" (G3341, _metánoia_) signifies a change of mind and heart, a decisive turning away from sin and towards God. It is the necessary human response to God's call. "Remission of sins" (G859, _áphesis_) refers to God's act of forgiveness and liberation from the guilt and power of sin, made possible solely through the atoning work of Jesus Christ. One cannot truly receive God's forgiveness without a turning from sin, and true repentance leads to the experience of God's gracious pardon. Together, they describe the transformative process of salvation.

**Why is it emphasized that this message should be preached "in his name"?**

Answer: Preaching "in his name" (G1909 G846 G3686) signifies that the message derives its authority, power, and efficacy entirely from Jesus Christ. It means proclaiming the Gospel by His commission, relying on His completed work on the cross and His resurrection, and invoking His divine power. Salvation is not achieved through human effort or wisdom, but through faith in the person and work of Jesus. Therefore, the power to bring about repentance and grant remission of sins resides solely in Him. This phrase underscores Christ's unique role as Savior and Lord, as seen in passages like [Acts 4:12](/acts/4-12 "Acts 4:12 - Salvation in No Other Name").

**What does "beginning at Jerusalem" imply for the spread of the Gospel?**

Answer: "Beginning at Jerusalem" (G756 G575 G2419) serves as a strategic and symbolic starting point for the global mission. Jerusalem was the epicenter of God's redemptive history, the place where Jesus was crucified, resurrected, and where the Holy Spirit would be poured out on Pentecost ([Acts 2:1-4](/acts/2-1-4 "Acts 2:1-4 - The Day of Pentecost")). This command emphasizes the historical rootedness of the Gospel in God's dealings with Israel, while simultaneously demonstrating that this message, though originating from a specific place, is intended to radiate outwards to "all nations" (G3956 G1484). It shows that the Gospel's expansion is both organic and divinely orchestrated, starting from the familiar and extending to the ends of the earth, as further detailed in [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Witnesses to the Ends of the Earth").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 24:47 finds its profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The very possibility of "repentance and remission of sins" being preached rests entirely on His atoning sacrifice and victorious resurrection. It is because Christ, as the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), bore the sins of the world that forgiveness is now available to all who turn to Him. His death on the cross satisfied divine justice, and His resurrection validated His claims and secured victory over sin and death. Furthermore, the authority to preach this life-transforming message is "in his name" because He is the ascended Lord, to whom "all authority in heaven and on earth has been given" ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Christ")). He is the one who commissions His followers, empowers them by His Spirit ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power for Witness")), and promises His abiding presence ([Matthew 28:20](/matthew/28-20 "Matthew 28:20 - Jesus' Presence with Disciples")). The universal scope of the mission, "among all nations," directly fulfills the Old Testament prophecies of a Messiah who would be a light to the Gentiles ([Isaiah 49:6](/isaiah/49-6 "Isaiah 49:6 - Light to the Nations")) and draw all peoples to Himself ([John 12:32](/john/12-32 "John 12:32 - Jesus Drawing All People")). Thus, Luke 24:47 is not merely a command but a declaration of the Christ-centered reality of salvation, made possible by His finished work and extended universally through His ongoing reign.

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 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.

Isaiah 49:6

And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.

Acts 2:38

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Matthew 28:19

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Acts 13:46

Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

Malachi 1:11

For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name [shall be] great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense [shall be] offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name [shall be] great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.

Acts 20:21

Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.