Acts 10:39
What does Acts 10:39 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 10:39 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 10:39 means
Peter boldly declares that he and the other apostles are "witnesses of all things" Jesus did, both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. This eyewitness testimony provides authoritative proof of Jesus's earthly ministry. He then starkly recounts Jesus's execution: "whom also they slew, hanging him on a tree." This confronts the crucifixion directly, framing it as a fact of history while also foreshadowing God's redemptive plan through it.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom also they slew, hanging him on a tree.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom also they slew, hanging him on a tree.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And we are witnesses of all the things which he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem; whom they put to death, hanging him on a tree.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and we--we are witnesses of all things that he did, both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem, --whom they did slay, having hanged upon a tree.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And we are witnesses of all things that he did in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem: whom they killed, hanging him upon a tree.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890We also [are] witnesses of all things which he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem; whom they also slew, having hanged him on a cross.
Context
Following the description of Jesus's ministry, this verse establishes the apostles' eyewitness credibility for all of Jesus's public actions. Peter then directly confronts the reality of Jesus's crucifixion, which is crucial for understanding the need for the resurrection and the subsequent gospel message. This somber fact directly sets up the ultimate good news of God's reversal of that event in the resurrection.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 1:2
even as they delivered them unto us, who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word,
- Galatians 3:13
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
- Acts 2:23
him, being delivered up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye by the hand of lawless men did crucify and slay:
- Acts 3:14
But ye denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted unto you,
- Acts 1:22
beginning from the baptism of John, unto the day that he was received up from us, of these must one become a witness with us of his resurrection.
- Acts 7:52
Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute? and they killed them that showed before of the coming of the Righteous One; of whom ye have now become betrayers and murderers;
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Acts 10
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Acts 10.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Solitude
Solitude, often distinguished from loneliness, is a state of being alone that can be intentionally sought for spiritual growth and reflection.
Topic
Bible Verses About Baptism
Baptism is a significant act symbolizing new life in Christ, repentance, and identification with his death, burial, and resurrection.
Topic
Bible Verses About Bible Reading
The Bible encourages us to read, study, and meditate on God’s Word to grow in faith and wisdom.
What the Bible says about…