Acts 2:39
What does Acts 2:39 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 2:39 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 2:39 means
This verse emphasizes the enduring and universal nature of God's promise. Peter declares that the promise of the Holy Spirit, forgiveness, and salvation is for 'you' (the immediate audience), 'and to your children,' extending to future generations. Furthermore, it reaches 'all that are afar off,' encompassing both geographical distance and potentially Gentiles, 'even as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him.' This underlines the expansive and inclusive nature of God's grace.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For the word of God is for you and for your children and for all those who are far off, even all those who may be marked out by the Lord our God.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all those afar off, as many as the Lord our God shall call.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, whomsoever the Lord our God shall call.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For to you is the promise and to your children, and to all who [are] afar off, as many as [the] Lord ourGod may call.
Context
Building on the immediate call to repentance and baptism, this verse expands the scope of the promise. It underscores the universal and enduring nature of the gift of the Holy Spirit and forgiveness, extending it to future generations and those far off. This broad declaration then leads directly to Peter's final exhortation to the crowd.
v.38And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
v.39This passage
v.40And with many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, Save yourselves from this crooked generation.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Peter 5:10
And the God of all grace, who called you unto his eternal glory in Christ, after that ye have suffered a little while, shall himself perfect, establish, strengthen you.
- Revelation 19:9
And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they that are bidden to the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are true words of God.
- Acts 10:45
And they of the circumcision that believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit.
- Acts 11:15
And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning.
- Isaiah 59:19
So shall they fear the name of Jehovah from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun; for he will come as a rushing stream, which the breath of Jehovah driveth.
- 2 Thessalonians 1:11
To which end we also pray always for you, that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfil every desire of goodness and every work of faith, with power;
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