Acts 10:38
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Peter subtly highlights that Jesus, the "man from Nazareth," was not just a good person but was actively "anointed" by God with the Holy Spirit and power. This "anointing" specifically equipped Him to combat the devil's oppressive influence through His acts of healing, proving God's direct presence and endorsement of Jesus' mission.
Peter is explaining how God's message of peace through Jesus reached everyone, not just Jews. He reminds his listeners that they know about Jesus' ministry, starting after John the Baptist's baptism, emphasizing that Jesus was specially chosen and empowered by God to do good works and heal those suffering from demonic oppression, proving God was with him.
Have you ever wondered what truly set Jesus apart? It wasn't just His teachings, but how He was empowered for His mission.
Peter reminds us that God didn't just send Jesus; He 'anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power.' This anointing is a direct echo of Old Testament kings and priests set apart for their sacred duties. But for Jesus, it was a complete immersion. His baptism wasn't just a symbolic act; it was the moment the Holy Spirit descended, and the Father declared His pleasure (Matthew 3:16-17). This wasn't a limited measure of the Spirit; Jesus received Him fully, equipping Him with divine power for His earthly work. This divine empowerment wasn't for show, but for service.
Jesus 'went about doing good.' But what did that really look like in the face of deep human suffering?
Peter doesn't just say Jesus performed miracles; he specifies His mission: 'He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil.' This paints a vivid picture of Jesus' ministry. 'Doing good' was His constant activity. The phrase 'healing all who were oppressed by the devil' is crucial. It broadens our understanding beyond just physical sickness to include any form of suffering or bondage that could be attributed to demonic influence. Whether it was illness, possession, or deep spiritual oppression, Jesus' power brought liberation and restoration. His work was a direct confrontation and defeat of the enemy's power.
Peter concludes by stating a simple, yet profound truth: 'for God was with him.' What does this divine presence signify?
The ultimate explanation for Jesus' empowered ministry and His victories over evil is the simple yet powerful statement: 'for God was with him.' This isn't just a casual observation; it's the bedrock of His authority and effectiveness. It signifies God's active presence, His endorsement, and His enabling power at work through Jesus. The miracles weren't merely demonstrations of power, but clear evidence that God Himself was acting through His Son. This intimate connection meant Jesus' words were God's words, His actions were God's actions, and His authority was divinely established. It underscores that Jesus' ministry was not a solo act, but a divine collaboration.
Understand the original words
chriō · Greek Verb
The act of setting someone apart for a divine office or task; in the Old Testament, it signifies being chosen by God for leadership (prophet, priest, king), fulfilled perfectly in Christ's mission.
pneuma hagion · Greek Noun phrase
The third person of the Trinity, the agent of God's presence, power, and sanctification in the lives of believers and the earthly ministry of Jesus.
diabolos · Greek Noun
The malevolent spiritual adversary of God and humanity, who seeks to steal, kill, and destroy, but is decisively defeated by Christ.
Peter's declaration in Acts 10:38 is a powerful summary of Jesus' identity and mission, presented to Cornelius, a Roman centurion. By emphasizing Jesus' anointing by the Holy Spirit and His works of healing, Peter bridges the gap between Jewish understanding of the Messiah and the Gentile experience, showing that God's salvation is for all who fear Him.
c. 4 BC - c. AD 30/33— this verse
Life of Jesus Christ
Jesus of Nazareth lived, taught, healed, and performed miracles in Galilee and Judea, demonstrating divine power and authority.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Ministry and Baptism
Jesus' public ministry began after his baptism by John, at which the Holy Spirit descended upon him, anointing him for his mission.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
Jesus was crucified and then resurrected, fulfilling prophecies and demonstrating his victory over sin and death.
c. AD 30-33
Ascension of Jesus
After his resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven, promising the coming of the Holy Spirit.
This prophecy describes the Spirit of the Lord God resting on the 'anointed one' to preach good news and bring freedom, directly paralleling Peter's description of Jesus in Acts 10:38.
Luke 4:18Jesus himself quotes from Isaiah 61, applying the prophecy of the anointed one to himself, explicitly linking his ministry to the Holy Spirit's empowerment for doing good and freeing the oppressed.
Matthew 3:16At Jesus' baptism, the Holy Spirit descended on him like a dove and a voice from heaven declared him God's Son, signifying the anointing with the Spirit and power that Peter describes.
1 John 3:8This verse explains that Jesus appeared to destroy the works of the devil, which directly supports Peter's statement that Jesus healed 'all who were oppressed by the devil'.
Acts 2:22Peter previously testified that God demonstrated Jesus' identity and mission through miracles, signs, and wonders, reinforcing the idea that 'God was with him' as stated in Acts 10:38.
ellicottActs 10:38: "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."
(38) How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth. —In the Greek structure the name stands in apposition with the “word” in the two previous verses—“Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him.” The word “anointed” is used with distinct reference to the name of Christ in Acts 10:35 , and assumes a knowledge of the facts connect…
clarkeActs 10:38: "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."
God anointed Jesus of Nazareth - Here the apostle refers to Christ as the promised Messiah; for, as Messiah signifies the anointed one, and Christ has the same signification in Greek, and the Messiah, according to the prophets, and the expectation of the Jews, was to work miracles, Peter proclaims Jesus as the Mes…
Peter subtly highlights that Jesus, the "man from Nazareth," was not just a good person but was actively "anointed" by God with the Holy Spirit and power. This "anointing" specifically equipped Him to combat the devil's oppressive influence through His acts of healing, proving God's direct presence and endorsement of Jesus' mission.
Peter is explaining how God's message of peace through Jesus reached everyone, not just Jews. He reminds his listeners that they know about Jesus' ministry, starting after John the Baptist's baptism, emphasizing that Jesus was specially chosen and empowered by God to do good works and heal those suffering from demonic oppression, proving God was with him.
Peter is explaining how God's message of peace through Jesus reached everyone, not just Jews. He reminds his listeners that they know about Jesus' ministry, starting after John the Baptist's baptism, emphasizing that Jesus was specially chosen and empowered by God to do good works and heal those suffering from demonic oppression, proving God was with him.
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c. AD 30-33
Descent of the Holy Spirit (Pentecost)
The Holy Spirit, as promised, descended upon Jesus' followers in Jerusalem, empowering them to spread the gospel.
c. AD 40s-60s
Early Church Expansion
The gospel spread rapidly from Jerusalem throughout Judea and to Gentile communities, led by apostles like Peter and Paul.
"how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him." — Peter subtly highlights that Jesus, the "man from Nazareth," was not just a good person but was actively "anointed" by God with the Holy Spirit and power. This "anointing" specifically equipped Him t…
