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)
Peter isn't just saying Jesus did good things; he's highlighting that Jesus "went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil." This phrasing emphasizes that Jesus' entire mission, empowered by the Spirit, was to actively counter the forces of oppression and evil, not just offer occasional help. It paints a picture of relentless, active ministry.
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)
Peter is explaining Jesus' identity and mission to Cornelius and his household, who are gentiles. Having established that God accepts people from all nations, Peter now testifies that Jesus of Nazareth, though known as a Galilean, was specifically chosen and empowered by God. He emphasizes Jesus' good works, particularly his healing ministry, as evidence of divine authority, setting the stage for understanding Jesus as the Messiah.
Jesus is called Christ, but what does that 'anointing' really mean? It wasn't just a special title; it was God's active empowerment for His Son's mission.
Peter highlights that God "anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power." This wasn't just a ceremonial act. The Old Testament kings, priests, and prophets were anointed to set them apart for their God-given tasks. For Jesus, this anointing signifies His unique consecration by God Himself, equipping Him perfectly for His role as Messiah.
A Divine Empowerment
Jesus 'went about doing good.' Was this just a nice hobby, or is it a clue to the very nature of God's kingdom at work?
The verse states that Jesus "went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil." This wasn't a secondary aspect of His ministry; it was His primary activity, demonstrating the benevolent nature of God's reign.
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Ministry of Benevolence
Peter concludes by saying, 'for God was with him.' What does this assurance mean for Jesus' authority and the validity of His work?
The phrase 'for God was with him' serves as the ultimate validation of Jesus' ministry. It's not just a statement of proximity, but of divine partnership and endorsement.
A Visible Divine Presence
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 underscores that Jesus' identity as the Messiah was proven through his divinely empowered ministry, especially his healing of those afflicted, which was a direct challenge to the oppressive forces attributed to the devil.
c. AD 27-28— this verse
Jesus' Baptism and Anointing
Jesus is baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River, and the Holy Spirit descends upon him, signifying his divine anointing for his ministry.
c. AD 28-30
Jesus' Ministry in Galilee
Jesus travels throughout Galilee, teaching, performing miracles, and healing those oppressed by illness or demonic forces, demonstrating God's power.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
Jesus is crucified in Jerusalem, offering himself as a sacrifice, and is resurrected on the third day, validating his divine authority and mission.
c. AD 30-33
The Early Church in Jerusalem
The apostles, empowered by the Holy Spirit after Jesus' ascension, begin preaching the gospel and performing miracles, often facing persecution.
c. AD 34-35
Philip's Ministry in Samaria and Gaza
Philip, a Hellenistic Jewish deacon, preaches the gospel and performs signs and wonders in Samaria, leading many to faith.
c. AD 34-35
Peter's Ministry in Lydda and Joppa
Peter, a prominent apostle, heals the paralyzed Aeneas in Lydda and raises Dorcas from the dead in Joppa, further spreading the gospel.
This Old Testament passage prophesies the coming of the Spirit-anointed servant who would preach good news and bring healing, directly paralleling Peter's description of Jesus in Acts 10:38.
Luke 4:18-19Jesus himself quotes Isaiah 61:1 when inaugurating his public ministry, declaring that the Spirit of the Lord was upon him to 'anoint me... to preach good news to the poor... to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind.' This passage highlights the 'anointing' and 'power' that characterized Jesus' mission.
Matthew 12:28Jesus directly addresses the accusation that he cast out demons by Beelzebub, stating, 'But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.' This confirms that his power over demonic oppression came from God, aligning with Acts 10:38.
John 3:2Nicodemus acknowledges Jesus' divine mission by saying, 'Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.' This shows that Jesus' miracles and good works were widely recognized as evidence of God's presence and power with him.
Acts 2:22Peter's sermon at Pentecost directly calls the crowd to 'hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know.' This reinforces the theme that Jesus' powerful deeds were God-approved and evidence of His identity.
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 isn't just saying Jesus did good things; he's highlighting that Jesus "went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil." This phrasing emphasizes that Jesus' entire mission, empowered by the Spirit, was to actively counter the forces of oppression and evil, not just offer occasional help. It paints a picture of relentless, active ministry.
Peter is explaining Jesus' identity and mission to Cornelius and his household, who are gentiles. Having established that God accepts people from all nations, Peter now testifies that Jesus of Nazareth, though known as a Galilean, was specifically chosen and empowered by God. He emphasizes Jesus' good works, particularly his healing ministry, as evidence of divine authority, setting the stage for understanding Jesus as the Messiah.
Peter is explaining Jesus' identity and mission to Cornelius and his household, who are gentiles. Having established that God accepts people from all nations, Peter now testifies that Jesus of Nazareth, though known as a Galilean, was specifically chosen and empowered by God. He emphasizes Jesus' good works, particularly his healing ministry, as evidence of divine authority, setting the stage for understanding Jesus as the Messiah.
"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 isn't just saying Jesus did good things; he's highlighting that Jesus "went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil." This phrasing emphasizes that Jesus' entire missio…
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Last reviewed October 2026