Acts 1:8
What does Acts 1:8 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 1:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 1:8 means
Jesus shifts the apostles' focus from the timing of the kingdom to their anointing and mission. He promises they will receive "power" when the Holy Spirit comes upon them. This power is not for political maneuvering but for witnessing. Their mandate will extend geographically: starting in Jerusalem, then throughout Judaea and Samaria, and ultimately to the "uttermost part of the earth." This outlines the expansive scope of the gospel's spread.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But you will have power, when the Holy Spirit has come on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judaea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862but ye shall receive power at the coming of the Holy Spirit upon you, and ye shall be witnesses to me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and unto the end of the earth.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But you shall receive the power of the Holy Ghost coming upon you, and you shall be witnesses unto me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the uttermost part of the earth.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890but ye will receive power, the Holy Spirit having come upon you, and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
Context
This verse is a pivotal commission, directly following Jesus' correction regarding the timing of the kingdom's restoration (verse 7). It defines the apostles' immediate future and purpose: receiving power through the Holy Spirit to be His witnesses. This detailed outline of their mission, both in immediate geography and global scope, sets the entire trajectory for the book of Acts.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 8:5
And Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and proclaimed unto them the Christ.
- Matthew 28:19
Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit:
- Luke 10:19
Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall in any wise hurt you.
- Acts 8:1
And Saul was consenting unto his death. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church which was in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judæa and Samaria, except the apostles.
- Micah 3:8
But as for me, I am full of power by the Spirit of Jehovah, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin.
- Luke 24:46
and he said unto them, Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer, and rise again from the dead the third day;
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