And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The word "testify" here carries the weight of bearing witness to something deeply personal and proven, not just reciting facts. It highlights how the apostles were instructed to share their eyewitness account of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, emphasizing that His authority as Judge is directly tied to His divine appointment and His proven identity. This personal testimony grounds the immense truth of His coming judgment in the reality of His earthly experience.
And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter is sharing the incredible news of Jesus’ resurrection and the inclusion of Gentiles into God's family. He's recounting the direct commands they received from the risen Christ, emphasizing Jesus’ appointed role not just as a savior, but as the ultimate judge of everyone, living and deceased. This testimony is meant to solidify their belief and underscore the authority behind the message they are now proclaiming.
We often focus on Jesus as Savior, but this verse highlights another crucial role: His role as Judge. What does it mean for our lives that He is the one God has appointed for this ultimate task?
This verse boldly declares that Jesus is 'ordained by God to be judge of the living and the dead.' This isn't a suggestion; it's a divine appointment, an 'immovable decree' (Bengel). It means every single person, whether alive at Christ's return or already passed on, will stand before Him.
A Universal Reckoning
This truth isn't meant to terrify us into submission, but to underscore the immense significance of our relationship with Christ. Knowing He is the Judge calls us to take our faith seriously.
Peter wasn't just sharing a theological tidbit; he was relaying a direct command from the resurrected Christ. What does this specific command reveal about the core message of the Gospel?
The resurrected Jesus gave a clear mandate: 'preach to the people, and to testify.' This wasn't a casual suggestion but an urgent commission (Bengel, Clarke).
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The Core of the Testimony
The command to preach and testify about Jesus as Judge highlights that the Gospel isn't just about forgiveness, but also about accountability and the ultimate authority of Christ.
Understand the original words
kērussō · Greek Verb
The authoritative proclamation of the Gospel message; it implies a herald's announcement of royal or divine news that requires a response from the hearers.
kritēs · Greek Noun
A sovereign act of legal or moral evaluation; in Scripture, it refers to the final authority God has given Jesus Christ to evaluate and dispense justice to all humanity based on their relationship to Him.
This verse reflects the apostles' understanding of Jesus' unique authority, a core message they were commissioned to share, especially as the Gospel began to extend beyond its Jewish origins to the Gentile world.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
Jesus is crucified in Jerusalem and rises from the dead on the third day. He then appears to his disciples over a period of 40 days.
c. AD 30-33
The Great Commission
Before ascending to heaven, Jesus commands his followers to preach the Gospel to all nations, starting from Jerusalem.
c. AD 33-36
Early Church Persecution
Following Jesus' ascension, the early followers, including the apostles, preach in Jerusalem and face increasing opposition and persecution from Jewish authorities.
c. AD 36— this verse
Conversion of Cornelius
The Holy Spirit leads Peter to Cornelius, a devout Roman centurion, marking a pivotal moment where the Gospel is explicitly shared with a Gentile.
c. AD 36
Peter's Sermon to Cornelius
Peter preaches to Cornelius and his household, testifying that Jesus is the appointed judge of all, living and dead, fulfilling the Gospel commission.
This passage directly supports the declaration in Acts 10:42 by stating that the Father has committed all judgment to the Son, highlighting Jesus' appointed role as judge.
Acts 17:31This verse echoes the command from Acts 10:42 by emphasizing that God has fixed a day for judging the world through a man (Jesus) whom He has appointed, making the judgment a certainty.
Romans 14:10This passage relates to the 'quick and dead' by stating that everyone will stand before the judgment seat of God, underscoring the universal reach of Christ's authority as judge mentioned in Acts 10:42.
2 Timothy 4:1This verse reinforces the weighty responsibility given to believers, connecting the command to preach with the fact that Christ will judge the living and the dead, as stated in Acts 10:42.
1 Peter 4:5This passage speaks of the readiness to judge the living and the dead, aligning with the core message of Acts 10:42 that Jesus is divinely appointed for this ultimate task.
meyerActs 10:42: "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."
Acts 10:42 . Τῷ λαῷ ] can only denote the Jewish people, seeing that the context speaks of no other ( Acts 10:41 ), and cannot include the Gentiles also (Kuinoel). But the contents of ὅτι … νεκρῶν is so different from Matthew 28:20 (also Acts 1:8 ), that there must be here assumed a reference to another expression of the Risen One (for He is the…
wesleyActs 10:42: "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."
10:42 It is he who is ordained by God the Judge of the living and the dead - Of all men, whether they are alive at his coming, or had died before it. This was declaring to them, in the strongest terms, how entirely their happiness depended on a timely and humble subjection to him who was to be their final Judge.
The word "testify" here carries the weight of bearing witness to something deeply personal and proven, not just reciting facts. It highlights how the apostles were instructed to share their eyewitness account of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, emphasizing that His authority as Judge is directly tied to His divine appointment and His proven identity. This personal testimony grounds the immense truth of His coming judgment in the reality of His earthly experience.
Peter is sharing the incredible news of Jesus’ resurrection and the inclusion of Gentiles into God's family. He's recounting the direct commands they received from the risen Christ, emphasizing Jesus’ appointed role not just as a savior, but as the ultimate judge of everyone, living and deceased. This testimony is meant to solidify their belief and underscore the authority behind the message they are now proclaiming.
Peter is sharing the incredible news of Jesus’ resurrection and the inclusion of Gentiles into God's family. He's recounting the direct commands they received from the risen Christ, emphasizing Jesus’ appointed role not just as a savior, but as the ultimate judge of everyone, living and deceased. This testimony is meant to solidify their belief and underscore the authority behind the message they are now proclaiming.
"And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead." — The word "testify" here carries the weight of bearing witness to something deeply personal and proven, not just reciting facts. It highlights how the apostles were instructed to share their eyewitnes…
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Last reviewed October 2026