34Peter opened his mouth and said, "In truth I am grasping that God shows no partiality, [10:35] but in every nation the one who fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him. [10:36] He sent the word to the sons of Israel, proclaiming good news of peace through Jesus the Anointed — this one is Lord of all. [10:37] You yourselves know the account that spread throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism John proclaimed — [10:38] how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. [10:39] We are witnesses of all things he did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They also executed him by hanging him on a tree. [10:40] God raised this one on the third day and allowed him to appear — [10:41] not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen beforehand by God, to us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. [10:42] He commanded us to proclaim to the people and to testify that this is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. [10:43] All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."
ACT 10:34-43
Good News for the Gentiles
In the world it was spoken into
In this passage, Peter addresses Cornelius, a Roman centurion and Gentile, in Caesarea, a city marked by Roman military presence and Gentile cultural dominance. Peter’s declaration that God shows no partiality would have been striking in a world deeply shaped by Roman patronage and Jewish purity codes, where social status and ethnicity often determined one’s access to favor or honor. The term (nation) underscores the inclusion of Gentiles, challenging the exclusivity of Jewish covenantal identity. Peter’s emphasis on Jesus’ anointing with the Holy Spirit and power reflects Jewish messianic expectations, while his mention of Jesus’ crucifixion evokes the shameful Roman practice of execution by hanging, reframing it as part of God’s redemptive plan. For Cornelius and his household, this message would have been revolutionary, offering them a place in God’s covenant without requiring conversion to Judaism. Peter’s speech bridges Jewish messianic hope and Gentile inclusion, reshaping the boundaries of God’s people.
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How other translations render this
ACT 10:34
- KJV
- Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
- BSB
- Then Peter began to speak: “I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism,
- Koinōnos
- Peter opened his mouth and said, "In truth I am grasping that God shows no partiality,
ACT 10:35
- KJV
- But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
- BSB
- but welcomes those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right.
- Koinōnos
- but in every nation the one who fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him.
ACT 10:36
- KJV
- The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
- BSB
- He has sent this message to the people of Israel, proclaiming the gospel of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.
- Koinōnos
- He sent the word to the sons of Israel, proclaiming good news of peace through Jesus the Anointed — this one is Lord of all.
ACT 10:37
- KJV
- That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
- BSB
- You yourselves know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee with the baptism that John proclaimed:
- Koinōnos
- You yourselves know the account that spread throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism John proclaimed —
ACT 10:38
- KJV
- How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
- BSB
- how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him.
- Koinōnos
- how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
ACT 10:39
- KJV
- And 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:
- BSB
- We are witnesses of all that He did, both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. And although they put Him to death by hanging Him on a tree,
- Koinōnos
- We are witnesses of all things he did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They also executed him by hanging him on a tree.
ACT 10:40
- KJV
- Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;
- BSB
- God raised Him up on the third day and caused Him to be seen—
- Koinōnos
- God raised this one on the third day and allowed him to appear —
ACT 10:41
- KJV
- Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.
- BSB
- not by all the people, but by the witnesses God had chosen beforehand, by us who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead.
- Koinōnos
- not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen beforehand by God, to us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.
ACT 10:42
- KJV
- And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
- BSB
- And He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that He is the One appointed by God to judge the living and the dead.
- Koinōnos
- He commanded us to proclaim to the people and to testify that this is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead.
ACT 10:43
- KJV
- To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
- BSB
- All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.”
- Koinōnos
- All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Where the historical framing draws from
- Josephus, AntiquitiesAntiquities 18.3.3
›Josephus, Antiquities Antiquities 18.3.3
“And when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, 9 those that loved him at the first did not forsake him”
Cited to ground: Peter’s emphasis on Jesus’ anointing with the Holy Spirit and power reflects Jewish messianic expectations, while his mention of Jesus’ crucifixion evokes the shameful Roman practice of execution by hanging, reframing it as part of God’s redemptive plan.
Translator's notes
ACT 10:34
- One who shows partiality:The word translated 'One who shows partiality' refers to someone who judges or favors people based on their outward appearance or status, rather than their character or actions.
ACT 10:35
- nation:The term translated 'nation' often referred specifically to non-Jewish peoples or Gentiles in this context, highlighting a distinction between ethnic groups.
ACT 10:38
- anointed:The word translated 'anointed' implies a ceremonial pouring of oil, signifying a special consecration or setting apart for a divine purpose, often for kings, priests, or prophets.
ACT 10:39
- also:The word translated 'also' is actually a verb meaning 'to hang' or 'to suspend,' indicating the manner of Jesus' death on a cross or tree.