This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's striking here is not just the bold claim that Jesus was raised, but the emphasis on "we all." This wasn't a private revelation; it was a public, undeniable event witnessed by the entire community, meant to be proclaimed boldly.
This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter has just used King David's own words to prove that the Messiah must rise from the dead, which wasn't true of David himself. Now, he pivots to show that this prophecy is fulfilled in Jesus, declaring that God Himself raised Jesus from the dead, a fact they, the assembled disciples, have all personally witnessed. This declaration directly leads into explaining how Jesus, now exalted by God and given the Holy Spirit, is the one pouring out the Spirit they're all experiencing.
The resurrection of Jesus wasn't a mere lucky break or a desperate attempt to revive a movement. It was a deliberate act of God, and the apostles were there to prove it.
Peter isn't just saying Jesus came back to life; he's emphasizing that God was the one who brought Jesus back. This is crucial because it validates Jesus' identity and mission. If Jesus had simply escaped death, it would be a remarkable feat, but it wouldn't necessarily prove he was the Messiah or the Son of God. But God raising Him from the dead? That's divine confirmation!
This act also highlights God's power over death itself. It wasn't a natural event; it was a supernatural intervention that declared Jesus' victory. For the apostles, seeing Jesus alive after the crucifixion wasn't just comforting; it was the irrefutable evidence that God stood behind Jesus' claims and His sacrifice.
What if you were asked to prove Jesus was alive after the cross? The apostles had a bold answer: 'We saw Him!'
The word 'witnesses' here isn't just about casually observing something. These weren't people who heard rumors or pieced together theories. The apostles were direct, personal observers of the resurrected Christ.
Think about it: they walked with Him, talked with Him, ate with Him. This wasn't a fleeting vision; it was tangible, undeniable proof. They were willing to stake their lives on this truth, facing persecution and even death. Their testimony wasn't based on conjecture, but on the solid reality of seeing Jesus alive after He had been crucified and buried. This eyewitness account is the bedrock upon which the early church was built and the Christian faith stands.
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Understand the original words
martyres · Greek Noun
One who sees an event and testifies to its truth. Apostles are uniquely witnesses to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
The statement 'we all are witnesses' in Acts 2:32 directly follows the dramatic event of Pentecost, where the Holy Spirit empowered Jesus' followers. Peter is speaking to a crowd who had just witnessed and heard the miraculous signs of the Spirit's presence, and he uses their immediate experience as a launchpad to declare the central truth of Christianity: Jesus' resurrection and ascension.
c. 30-33 AD
Crucifixion and Burial of Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth is crucified by Roman authorities in Jerusalem, and his body is placed in a tomb.
c. 30-33 AD
Resurrection of Jesus
According to Christian belief, Jesus is raised from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion.
c. 30-33 AD
Appearances of the Risen Jesus
Jesus appears to his disciples and followers over a period of 40 days, confirming his resurrection.
c. 33 AD— this verse
The Day of Pentecost
The Holy Spirit descends upon Jesus' followers in Jerusalem, empowering them to preach the Gospel. This event is the immediate context for Peter's sermon.
c. 33 AD
Peter's Sermon on Pentecost
Peter preaches to the assembled crowd, proclaiming Jesus' resurrection and divine exaltation, citing the Holy Spirit's outpouring as evidence.
c. 33 AD
Thousands Converted
Following Peter's sermon and the outpouring of the Spirit, thousands repent and are added to the early Christian community.
This passage lays out the core message of the gospel, emphasizing Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, and highlights that Jesus appeared to many witnesses, reinforcing the testimony found in Acts 2:32.
Romans 1:4This verse declares Jesus was 'declared to be the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead,' directly linking His divine authority to His resurrection, the very event Peter is attesting to.
Hebrews 2:3-4It explains that salvation was first proclaimed by the Lord and then confirmed to 'us by those who heard Him,' underscoring the foundational role of eyewitness testimony, like that of the apostles in Acts, in validating the message.
John 2:19-21Jesus Himself spoke of His 'temple' (His body) being raised up, pointing to His resurrection as a sign and a fulfillment of prophecy, which is exactly what Peter is proclaiming to the crowds.
calvinActs 2:32-36: "This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses."
- This Jesus hath God raised up; whereof we all are witnesses. 33. He being therefore exalted by the right hand of God, and having received the promise of the Holy Ghost of the Father, he hath now shed forth that which ye now see and hear. 34. For David is not ascended into heaven: But he saith, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit at my right hand, 35. Until I make thine enemies thy footstool. 36. Therefore, let all the…
clarkeActs 2:32: "This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses."
Whereof we all are witnesses - That is, the whole 120 saw him after he rose from the dead, and were all ready, in the face of persecution and death, to attest this great truth.
What's striking here is not just the bold claim that Jesus was raised, but the emphasis on "we all." This wasn't a private revelation; it was a public, undeniable event witnessed by the entire community, meant to be proclaimed boldly.
Peter has just used King David's own words to prove that the Messiah must rise from the dead, which wasn't true of David himself. Now, he pivots to show that this prophecy is fulfilled in Jesus, declaring that God Himself raised Jesus from the dead, a fact they, the assembled disciples, have all personally witnessed. This declaration directly leads into explaining how Jesus, now exalted by God and given the Holy Spirit, is the one pouring out the Spirit they're all experiencing.
Peter has just used King David's own words to prove that the Messiah must rise from the dead, which wasn't true of David himself. Now, he pivots to show that this prophecy is fulfilled in Jesus, declaring that God Himself raised Jesus from the dead, a fact they, the assembled disciples, have all personally witnessed. This declaration directly leads into explaining how Jesus, now exalted by God and given the Holy Spirit, is the one pouring out the Spirit they're all experiencing.
"This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses." — What's striking here is not just the bold claim that Jesus was raised, but the emphasis on "we all." This wasn't a private revelation; it was a public, undeniable event witnessed by the entire commun…
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Last reviewed October 2026