To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse emphasizes that all the prophets, without exception, bear witness to Jesus. This isn't just about a few isolated predictions, but about a consistent prophetic thread throughout Scripture pointing to the fact that forgiveness of sins comes through believing in him.
To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter is speaking to Cornelius and his household, explaining the core message of Jesus Christ. Having just recounted Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, Peter now summarizes the prophetic witness to Jesus and the universal offer of forgiveness through faith in Him, directly addressing the Gentiles' place in God's plan. This foundational declaration is immediately followed by the astonishing outpouring of the Holy Spirit on these Gentiles, validating Peter's message and confirming the inclusion of non-Jews in the new covenant.
Ever wonder if the Old Testament really pointed to Jesus? Peter makes a bold claim here that settles it. All the prophets, across centuries, were in agreement.
A Unified Testimony
Peter isn't just saying a few prophets hinted at Jesus. He declares, 'To him give all the prophets witness.' This isn't a weak suggestion; it's a declaration of a unified, divine testimony woven through the entire Old Testament.
Think about it: from Genesis to Malachi, across vastly different times and circumstances, the prophetic voice consistently pointed towards a coming Messiah. This wasn't a patchwork of ideas but a continuous revelation about God's plan unfolding through one central figure.
This unity is astounding. It shows that God’s message of salvation wasn’t a sudden revelation in Jesus but the culmination of a long, unfolding story that He orchestrated through His chosen messengers.
In a world searching for peace and acceptance, Peter offers a radical solution. It’s not about following rules, but about the power found in 'His name.'
The Power of the Name
Peter emphasizes that forgiveness of sins comes 'through His name.' What does this mean?
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This was a revolutionary concept for Peter's audience, especially the Jewish listeners who were accustomed to a system of law and ritual for dealing with sin. Peter points them, and us, to a simpler, yet more profound, reality: salvation is found in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
Understand the original words
prophētēs · Greek Noun
Those who, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, spoke for God to Israel; their overarching function was to point toward the coming Messiah and the work of redemption.
pisteuō · Greek Verb
To place trust in, rely upon, or cling to; in a biblical sense, it denotes a saving faith that involves intellectual assent, emotional commitment, and volitional surrender to Jesus Christ.
aphesis · Greek Noun
The removal of the guilt, penalty, and power of sin; it is granted by God's grace through faith, made possible by the atoning sacrifice of Jesus.
Peter's declaration that all the prophets pointed to Jesus for the forgiveness of sins underscores that the message of salvation through faith in Christ is not a new invention, but the fulfillment of God's long-standing plan revealed throughout the Old Testament.
c. 4 BC
Birth of Jesus
Jesus Christ, the Messiah, is born in Bethlehem, fulfilling ancient prophecies.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Ministry and Crucifixion
Jesus preaches, performs miracles, and is crucified, offering Himself as a sacrifice for sins. He is resurrected on the third day.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Ascension and the Great Commission
After His resurrection, Jesus ascends into heaven and commissions His followers to spread the gospel to all nations.
c. AD 34
Stephen's Martyrdom and Scattering of Believers
The stoning of Stephen, the first Christian martyr, leads to increased persecution and the scattering of believers throughout Judea and Samaria.
c. AD 40
Cornelius' Vision
Cornelius, a devout Roman centurion, receives a vision from an angel instructing him to send for Peter.
c. AD 40— this verse
Peter's Vision and Visit to Cornelius
Peter has a vision of a sheet with animals, symbolizing God's acceptance of Gentiles. He then visits Cornelius, preaching the gospel to him and his household. The Holy Spirit falls upon them, demonstrating God's favor to the Gentiles.
c. AD 40-45
Early Spread of the Gospel to Gentiles
Following Peter's encounter with Cornelius, the gospel message begins to spread more widely among Gentiles, breaking down previous barriers between Jews and non-Jews in Christ.
This passage directly speaks of the suffering servant bearing iniquities, which is a prophetic foreshadowing of Christ's atoning work that enables forgiveness of sins for believers.
Jeremiah 31:34This verse describes a new covenant where God's law will be within His people and their sins will be forgiven, echoing the prophetic witness to the forgiveness Christ brings.
Luke 24:44Jesus Himself explains to the disciples that the Scriptures (Law of Moses, Prophets, Psalms) all testify about Him, reinforcing Peter's claim that the prophets bore witness to Christ and His work.
Romans 3:23-24This passage explicitly states that all have sinned, but are justified freely by God's grace through the redemption found in Christ, directly paralleling the concept of receiving forgiveness through belief in Him.
1 Peter 1:10-11Peter himself wrote that the prophets searched and inquired about salvation, foretelling the glories that would be revealed in Christ, showing their witness was indeed pointing to Him.
ellicottActs 10:43: "To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins."
(43) To him give all the prophets witness. —As in St. Peter’s earlier speeches in Acts 2, 3 so here, we trace the result of our Lord’s teaching given in the interval between the Resurrection and Ascension as to the method of prophetic interpretation which discerns, below all temporary and historical references, the under-current of testimony to the kingdom of whi…
barnesActs 10:43: "To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins."
To him give ... - See the notes on Luke 24:27 , Luke 24:44 . That through his name ... - This was implied in what the prophets said. See Romans 10:11. It was not, indeed, expressly affirmed that they who believed in him should be pardoned, but this was implied in what they said. They promised a Messiah, and their religion consisted mainly in believing in a Messia…
The verse emphasizes that all the prophets, without exception, bear witness to Jesus. This isn't just about a few isolated predictions, but about a consistent prophetic thread throughout Scripture pointing to the fact that forgiveness of sins comes through believing in him.
Peter is speaking to Cornelius and his household, explaining the core message of Jesus Christ. Having just recounted Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, Peter now summarizes the prophetic witness to Jesus and the universal offer of forgiveness through faith in Him, directly addressing the Gentiles' place in God's plan. This foundational declaration is immediately followed by the astonishing outpouring of the Holy Spirit on these Gentiles, validating Peter's message and confirming the inclusion of non-Jews in the new covenant.
Peter is speaking to Cornelius and his household, explaining the core message of Jesus Christ. Having just recounted Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, Peter now summarizes the prophetic witness to Jesus and the universal offer of forgiveness through faith in Him, directly addressing the Gentiles' place in God's plan. This foundational declaration is immediately followed by the astonishing outpouring of the Holy Spirit on these Gentiles, validating Peter's message and confirming the inclusion of non-Jews in the new covenant.
"To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”" — The verse emphasizes that all the prophets, without exception, bear witness to Jesus. This isn't just about a few isolated predictions, but about a consistent prophetic thread throughout Scripture…
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Last reviewed October 2026