Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter doesn't just reveal Jesus' identity; he slams together two undeniable facts: God has exalted this Jesus to ultimate authority, and you are the ones who put him to death. The shocking juxtaposition forces them to confront the profound implications of their actions.
Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter is concluding his powerful sermon on the day of Pentecost, having just explained the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. He's used Old Testament prophecies, particularly from Psalm 110, to prove that Jesus, whom the crowd had recently seen crucified, is not only the promised Messiah but also exalted by God to supreme authority. This verse serves as the climactic declaration, directly confronting his listeners with the identity and divine status of the man they condemned.
Peter doesn't hold back in this verse, directly confronting his audience. How does the shock of their actions amplify the truth he's revealing?
This verse is the powerful climax of Peter's sermon on Pentecost. He’s spent the preceding verses laying out the evidence: Jesus' resurrection (v. 32), His ascension and reception of the Spirit (v. 33), and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy (vv. 34-35, quoting Psalm 110:1).
Now, he delivers the punchline: 'Therefore, let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom YOU crucified, both Lord and Christ.'
The Weight of 'Therefore': The word 'therefore' links everything that came before to this conclusion. All the proofs – the resurrection, the ascension, the prophecy – lead to this inescapable truth about Jesus.
The Shocking Contrast: Peter deliberately places the horrific act of crucifixion right next to Jesus' divine titles. The One they put to death, the One they thought was defeated, is the very One God has now crowned.
'Lord' and 'Christ': These aren't just labels. 'Christ' (Messiah) was the promised deliverer they were expecting. 'Lord' elevates Jesus to supreme authority, sharing God's own divine power and rule. This isn't just a king; it's the King, sovereign over all.
This juxtaposition forces a soul-shattering realization: their greatest crime was against God's chosen King, whom God has now vindicated and exalted.
Ask a follow-up
Peter insists God is the one behind Jesus' enthronement. What does this divine agency mean for the significance of Jesus' lordship?
Peter’s declaration, 'God has made Him,' is crucial. This wasn't an accident or a human elevation; it was a sovereign act of God Himself.
Divine Appointment: God the Father actively appointed Jesus to be both Lord and Christ. This wasn't something Jesus took for Himself; it was a role given to Him by the ultimate authority.
Vindication and Authority: The resurrection and ascension weren't just proof that Jesus escaped death. They were God's public declaration and inauguration ceremony, demonstrating that He affirmed Jesus' claims and His divine authority.
Cosmic Rule: By making Jesus 'Lord,' God has placed Him in supreme authority over everything – the church, history, creation, and even opposing forces. This is the authority Jesus spoke of when He said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me' (Matthew 28:18).
The weight of 'God has made Him' means that Jesus' lordship is not debatable. It is a settled, divine reality, regardless of human opinion or opposition.
Peter’s call for Israel to 'know for certain' isn't just a suggestion; it's an urgent demand. Why is this certainty so important?
The phrase 'know for certain' (or 'assuredly') carries significant weight. Peter isn't asking for mere intellectual agreement; he's demanding a deep, unshakeable conviction.
Overcoming Doubt: The house of Israel had a complex history with God’s promises. They awaited the Messiah, but when Jesus arrived, they largely rejected Him, even participating in His crucifixion. Peter’s message aims to shatter their doubt and denial.
The Evidence Presented: He grounds this certainty in tangible proof: the witnesses to the resurrection, the outpouring of the Spirit (which they could see and hear), and the undeniable fulfillment of Scripture. This isn't blind faith; it's faith grounded in irrefutable evidence.
The Stakes: Knowing 'for certain' that Jesus is Lord and Christ has eternal consequences. It means recognizing Him as their promised King and Savior, the only one through whom salvation is offered. To reject this certainty is to remain in rebellion and condemnation.
Peter’s forceful appeal is a call to undeniable truth. The evidence is overwhelming; the conclusion is inescapable: Jesus is the exalted Lord and Christ, and this truth demands a response.
Understand the original words
oikos Israel · Greek Noun phrase
Refers to the entire nation of Israel, emphasizing the covenantal responsibility of the people as a whole to acknowledge God's revelation.
kyrios · Greek Noun
A title signifying absolute authority, sovereignty, and ownership; as applied to Jesus, it identifies him as the divine Master to whom all owe allegiance.
Christos · Greek Noun
The Greek translation of the Hebrew 'Messiah' ('Anointed One'), designating Jesus as the long-awaited King and Deliverer promised in the Old Testament.
This verse culminates Peter's Pentecost sermon, directly addressing the people of Jerusalem. It highlights the immediate historical context of Jesus' recent crucifixion and resurrection, contrasting their actions with God's divine appointment of Jesus as Lord and Christ.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Crucifixion of Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth is crucified in Jerusalem under the Roman governor Pontius Pilate. This event is the central point of contention and accusation in Peter's sermon.
c. 30 AD
Resurrection of Jesus
According to apostolic testimony, Jesus is raised from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion, a foundational event for the early Christian faith.
c. 30 AD
Ascension of Jesus
Following his resurrection appearances, Jesus ascends into heaven, which Peter uses to argue for his exaltation by God.
c. 30 AD
Pentecost and Outpouring of the Spirit
On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit is poured out on Jesus' followers in Jerusalem, empowering them and leading to Peter's sermon.
c. 30 AD
Peter's Sermon on Pentecost
Peter delivers a powerful sermon to the assembled crowds in Jerusalem, using Old Testament prophecies and the events surrounding Jesus to prove his identity as Lord and Christ.
This Psalm is directly quoted by Peter in Acts 2 to prove Jesus' exaltation and divine authority, showing that His current status as Lord was prophesied long ago.
Isaiah 53:12This prophecy foretells the suffering servant being 'numbered with the transgressors' and 'bearing the sin of many,' which powerfully highlights the immense sin of those who crucified Jesus, as Peter points out.
Zechariah 12:10Peter's message echoes this prophetic word about a future mourning for 'him whom they have pierced,' a stark reminder of the guilt and consequences of crucifying the Messiah.
John 3:35Jesus Himself states that the Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand, directly supporting Peter's assertion in Acts 2 that God has made Jesus both Lord and Christ.
Philippians 2:9-11This passage describes God highly exalting Jesus and bestowing on Him the name above every name, which is the divine confirmation of the 'Lordship' Peter proclaims in Acts 2.
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…
cambridgeActs 2:36: "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ."
36 . let all the house of Israel know ] Of course such an appeal can only be made to Israel, for they only had known the prophecies, and received the promises. that God hath made , &c.] The Greek has more force than the A. V. gives. Render, God hath made him both Lord and Christ, even this Jesus whom ye crucified . This is the close of the reasonin…
Peter doesn't just reveal Jesus' identity; he slams together two undeniable facts: God has exalted this Jesus to ultimate authority, and you are the ones who put him to death. The shocking juxtaposition forces them to confront the profound implications of their actions.
Peter is concluding his powerful sermon on the day of Pentecost, having just explained the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. He's used Old Testament prophecies, particularly from Psalm 110, to prove that Jesus, whom the crowd had recently seen crucified, is not only the promised Messiah but also exalted by God to supreme authority. This verse serves as the climactic declaration, directly confronting his listeners with the identity and divine status of the man they condemned.
Peter is concluding his powerful sermon on the day of Pentecost, having just explained the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. He's used Old Testament prophecies, particularly from Psalm 110, to prove that Jesus, whom the crowd had recently seen crucified, is not only the promised Messiah but also exalted by God to supreme authority. This verse serves as the climactic declaration, directly confronting his listeners with the identity and divine status of the man they condemned.
"Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”" — Peter doesn't just reveal Jesus' identity; he slams together two undeniable facts: God has exalted this Jesus to ultimate authority, and you are the ones who put him to death. The shocking juxtapos…
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Last reviewed October 2026