The verse isn't just declaring Jesus' identity; it's highlighting the profound irony and gravity of His crucifixion. By calling Him "Lord and Christ," Peter is powerfully stating that the very Jesus they condemned and killed is the one God has now exalted to supreme authority and messianic fulfillment. This isn't just a theological statement; it's a direct accusation that shatters any illusion that their actions had any bearing on Jesus' ultimate divine status.
Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter has just powerfully presented Jesus as the promised Messiah, using Old Testament prophecies like Psalm 110 and the undeniable evidence of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. He's directly confronting his listeners with the reality that the very Jesus they executed is the one God has now gloriously exalted. This verse serves as the dramatic conclusion to Peter's sermon, driving home the ultimate identity and authority of Jesus.
You just witnessed the Holy Spirit poured out, a miracle you can see and hear. But this wasn't a random event. It's the direct result of God taking the man you crucified and placing Him in the highest position of authority.
Peter's sermon isn't just about proving Jesus is the Messiah. It's a bold declaration of God's actions. After Jesus was crucified—an event the people of Israel were directly involved in—God the Father raised Him up and seated Him at His own right hand. This wasn't a demotion or a quiet retirement; it was an exaltation to supreme power and authority.
The Right Hand of God
When Scripture says Jesus is at the 'right hand of God,' it doesn't mean He's sitting next to God in a physical sense. It signifies supreme authority, power, and favor. It's the place of honor and dominion, where all enemies are put under His feet.
From Crucifixion to Coronation
This is the incredible, almost unbelievable, truth Peter lays before them: the very Jesus they handed over to be crucified, the one they thought was defeated, is now sovereign. God didn't just resurrect Him; He crowned Him.
Peter doesn't just call Jesus 'the Messiah.' He uses two powerful titles, 'Lord' and 'Christ,' to reveal the full scope of who Jesus is and what God has done through Him.
The verse declares that God has made Jesus both 'Lord' and 'Christ.' These aren't interchangeable terms; they signify distinct, yet inseparable, aspects of Jesus' divine commission.
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Christ (Messiah)
'Christ' is the Greek translation of the Hebrew 'Messiah,' meaning 'anointed one.' For Israel, this title carried the weight of prophecy—a king, a deliverer, the one promised to restore God's people and kingdom. Peter has spent much of his sermon proving that Jesus is indeed this prophesied Messiah, citing David and the outpouring of the Spirit.
Lord
'Lord' signifies supreme authority, sovereignty, and dominion. It's a title of ultimate rule. By declaring Jesus 'Lord,' Peter elevates Him beyond a mere king or deliverer to the supreme Governor of the universe. This title connects Jesus to God Himself, reflecting the Psalm where David calls his own Lord 'Lord' and acknowledges His divine authority.
The Crucial Connection
By linking these titles directly to 'this Jesus, whom you crucified,' Peter forces a confrontation. The person they rejected and killed is the very one God has crowned as the ultimate King (Christ) and Sovereign Ruler (Lord) over all creation.
Peter doesn't hold back. He drives home the reality of their actions by confronting them with the stark contrast between their treatment of Jesus and God's divine decree.
The power of Peter's message isn't just in the proof; it's in the piercing application. He concludes his argument by directly addressing the crowd's complicity in Jesus' death.
'Whom YOU Crucified'
The phrase 'whom you crucified' isn't an accidental addition; it's the emotional and theological climax of the verse. Peter has shown them evidence from prophecy and from the present miraculous signs of the Spirit. He has declared Jesus is both Lord and Christ. Now, he points to the very man they rejected and had killed.
The Weight of Their Actions
For Peter to declare Jesus Lord and Christ and then immediately say 'whom you crucified' is a deliberate act of spiritual confrontation. It highlights their profound error and guilt. They rejected and killed the one whom God had appointed as the supreme King and Ruler of the universe. Their actions were not just a mistake; they were an act of rebellion against God's chosen Messiah and Sovereign.
The Call to Repentance
This stinging truth is designed to evoke more than just shock; it's meant to lead to repentance. By understanding that the one they crucified is now sovereign, they are compelled to reconsider their actions and turn to the very Lord they had rejected.
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.
katanyssō · Greek Verb
To be deeply troubled or pierced by a realization of guilt or spiritual conviction; it signifies a profound emotional and spiritual awakening to one's sin.
metanoeō · Greek Verb
A fundamental change of mind, heart, and direction regarding sin and God; it is the turning away from self and sin toward faith in Jesus Christ.
baptizō · Greek Verb
An outward, public rite symbolizing identification with Christ, cleansing from sin, and entry into the body of believers. It is an act of obedience to the command of the risen Lord.
aphesis · Greek Noun
The legal and spiritual removal of the guilt, penalty, and power of sin through the sacrifice of Christ, resulting in reconciliation with God.
pneuma hagion · Greek Noun phrase
The third person of the Trinity, given to believers as a mark of ownership, an agent of sanctification, and a deposit guaranteeing their inheritance in God's kingdom.
This verse is the powerful climax of Peter's sermon on the Day of Pentecost. It directly addresses the Jewish people in Jerusalem, many of whom were responsible for or complicit in Jesus' crucifixion, challenging them to recognize the divine authority and messianic identity of the very one they put to death.
c. 70 BC - 4 BC
Herod the Great's Reign
Herod the Great, a Roman client king, ruled Judea with a mix of ambition and brutality, undertaking massive building projects but also engaging in political intrigue and violence. His reign set a volatile stage for later events.
c. AD 28-30
Jesus' Ministry and Crucifixion
Jesus of Nazareth begins his public ministry, teaching, healing, and gathering followers. He is ultimately arrested, tried, and crucified in Jerusalem under the authority of the Roman prefect Pontius Pilate.
c. AD 30
The Resurrection of Jesus
According to Christian belief, Jesus is resurrected from the dead three days after his crucifixion, appearing to his disciples over a period of forty days.
c. AD 30
The Ascension of Jesus
Jesus is said to have ascended into heaven, returning to the Father. This event is seen as a precursor to the coming of the Holy Spirit.
c. AD 30— this verse
The Day of Pentecost
Ten days after Jesus' ascension, 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. AD 30
Peter's Sermon and the First Converts
Following the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, Peter preaches a powerful sermon to the gathered crowds in Jerusalem, proclaiming Jesus as both Lord and Christ. This leads to thousands converting to Christianity.
This Psalm is directly quoted by Peter in Acts 2 to prove Jesus' exalted status, showing that the Scriptures foretold his divine authority and reign.
John 3:35This verse states the Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand, which directly supports the idea that God has 'made' Jesus both Lord and Christ, as declared in Acts 2:36.
Philippians 2:9-11This passage echoes the exaltation of Jesus to Lordship, describing how God highly exalted Him and commanded that every knee should bow to Him, fulfilling the declaration in Acts 2:36.
Zechariah 12:10This Old Testament prophecy speaks of a future time when the people of Israel will look on 'him whom they have pierced' and mourn, directly connecting to Peter's accusation in Acts 2:36 and pointing to their future repentance.
Acts 5:31This verse reiterates the core message of Acts 2:36, stating that God has exalted Jesus to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, confirming His Lordship and Christ status that the people had rejected.
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…
The verse isn't just declaring Jesus' identity; it's highlighting the profound irony and gravity of His crucifixion. By calling Him "Lord and Christ," Peter is powerfully stating that the very Jesus they condemned and killed is the one God has now exalted to supreme authority and messianic fulfillment. This isn't just a theological statement; it's a direct accusation that shatters any illusion that their actions had any bearing on Jesus' ultimate divine status.
Peter has just powerfully presented Jesus as the promised Messiah, using Old Testament prophecies like Psalm 110 and the undeniable evidence of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. He's directly confronting his listeners with the reality that the very Jesus they executed is the one God has now gloriously exalted. This verse serves as the dramatic conclusion to Peter's sermon, driving home the ultimate identity and authority of Jesus.
Peter has just powerfully presented Jesus as the promised Messiah, using Old Testament prophecies like Psalm 110 and the undeniable evidence of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. He's directly confronting his listeners with the reality that the very Jesus they executed is the one God has now gloriously exalted. This verse serves as the dramatic conclusion to Peter's sermon, driving home the ultimate identity and authority of Jesus.
"Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothe…" — The verse isn't just declaring Jesus' identity; it's highlighting the profound irony and gravity of His crucifixion. By calling Him "Lord and Christ," Peter is powerfully stating that the very Jesus…
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Last reviewed October 2026
