God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse links repentance and forgiveness as two inseparable gifts bestowed by Christ, emphasizing that repentance comes first. This means that receiving God's pardon isn't just about being let off the hook for sins, but a transformative change that prepares us to truly accept His saving grace.
God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The apostles have just been arrested for boldly preaching about Jesus, but miraculously freed by an angel. Now, standing before the very council that condemned Jesus, Peter directly confronts them, accusing them of rejecting and killing the "Author of life," whom God raised from the dead. This verse declares that God has now highly honored Jesus at His own right hand, appointing Him as the ultimate Leader and Savior to offer repentance and forgiveness of sins, specifically to Israel first.
Peter declares Jesus has been exalted to a supreme position. What does it mean for Him to be both a 'Prince' and a 'Savior'?
This verse paints a picture of Jesus in His glorified state, seated at God's right hand. This isn't just a symbolic honor; it's a position of supreme authority and power.
The Prince
The title 'Prince' (or Leader, as some translations render it) signifies Christ's kingship and authority. It means He is the ultimate Ruler, the One who directs and governs.
The Savior
Simultaneously, He is the 'Savior.' This highlights His role in delivering humanity from sin, death, and destruction. His authority as Prince is intrinsically linked to His mission as Savior.
It's crucial to see that these aren't separate roles. His kingship is the very means by which He achieves salvation. He rules to save.
The purpose of Christ's exaltation is stated clearly. What's the connection between repentance and forgiveness, and who gives them?
The verse explicitly states that the exalted Christ gives two vital gifts: repentance and forgiveness of sins. This is profound!
Repentance as a Gift
Often, we think of repentance as something we to earn God's favor. But here, Peter presents it as something Christ . It's a divine enablement, a 'joyful gift' as one commentator noted, that allows us to turn away from sin and towards God.
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Forgiveness as a Companion Gift
Repentance is immediately followed by forgiveness. These two gifts are presented as inseparable aspects of God's saving work through Christ. One enables the other. You can't truly repent without the assurance of forgiveness being available, and forgiveness is made accessible through repentance.
This is the heart of the Gospel: God doesn't just offer salvation; He empowers us to receive it through repentance and grants us full pardon.
Peter addresses Israel directly. Why focus on them when Christ's work is for all?
The verse specifically mentions Christ's purpose is 'to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.' This might lead to questions about the scope of salvation.
The Promised Messiah
Jesus was the Messiah promised to the Jewish people. His earthly ministry, death, and resurrection were initially focused on fulfilling those ancient prophecies directed towards Israel.
The Beginning of the Universal Message
However, this was never meant to be exclusive. Peter, a Jew himself, is speaking to fellow Jews. He's presenting the Gospel in its original context, showing that the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel was the gateway to salvation for all nations. The initial proclamation was to Israel, but the commission was to go to the ends of the earth.
It's the natural starting point for the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.
Understand the original words
hypsóō · Greek Verb
The act of raising someone to a position of high honor, rank, or power; in the NT, it refers to Jesus' ascension to the Father's presence.
archēgos · Greek Noun
The One who originates or leads; one who goes before as a pioneer or captain, providing a path for followers.
sōtēr · Greek Noun
One who rescues or delivers from peril, specifically from the penalty and power of sin, bringing salvation.
metanoia · Greek Noun
A radical change of heart and mind, a turning from sin toward God, which is both a human response and a divine gift.
aphesis · Greek Noun
The gracious act of God in releasing, pardoning, and removing the guilt and debt of human transgression.
This verse is spoken in the immediate aftermath of the apostles being arrested and miraculously freed, and then boldly preaching again. It highlights how Jesus' exaltation is intrinsically linked to God's offer of repentance and forgiveness, a message deeply challenging to the Jewish leaders of the time.
c. 30 AD
Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth is crucified and then, according to belief, resurrected three days later. This event is the central act of salvation around which the early Christian message pivots.
c. 30 AD
The Ascension of Jesus
After his resurrection appearances, Jesus ascends into heaven, an event understood by his followers as his exaltation by God. This sets the stage for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
c. 30 AD
The Day of Pentecost
The Holy Spirit descends upon the apostles, empowering them to preach the gospel. Peter delivers a sermon that leads to the conversion of thousands of Jews.
c. 31-33 AD— this verse
Apostles Preach and Perform Miracles
Peter and the other apostles boldly preach about Jesus, perform miraculous healings, and face opposition from the Jewish authorities, including the event described in Acts 5.
c. 33 AD
Martyrdom of Stephen
Stephen, a deacon, is stoned to death for his faith, marking a significant escalation of persecution against the early Christian movement in Jerusalem.
c. 33-36 AD
Saul's Persecution and Conversion
Saul of Tarsus actively persecutes the church, but then experiences a dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus, becoming a key apostle to the Gentiles.
This passage describes God also highly exalting Jesus and giving Him a name above every name, directly paralleling the exaltation described in Acts 5:31 and emphasizing Jesus' supreme authority.
Colossians 1:13-14It speaks of God rescuing us from the dominion of darkness and bringing us into the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption and the forgiveness of sins, echoing the themes of salvation and pardon.
Hebrews 2:10This verse states that God, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, perfected the 'author of their salvation' through suffering, linking suffering to Christ's role as Leader and Savior and His exaltation.
1 Peter 3:22It confirms that Jesus has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to Him, reinforcing the image of His exalted position as Prince and Savior.
Isaiah 55:6-7This prophetic passage calls people to seek the Lord while He may be found and to call upon Him while He is near, urging them to turn from their ways and return to God, who will abundantly pardon, connecting seeking God with repentance and forgiveness.
ellicottActs 5:31: "Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins."
(31) Him hath God exalted. —It is significant that St. Peter should use a word which, while it does not occur as applied to our Lord in the first three Gospels, meets us as so applied in St. John ( John 3:14 ; John 12:32 : “lifted up” in the English version). It had also been used of the righteous sufferer in the LXX. version of Isaiah 3:13 , and was aft…
clarkeActs 5:31: "Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins."
Him hath God exalted with his right hand - By a supereminent display of his almighty power, for so the right hand of God often means; he has raised him from the dead, and raised his human nature to the throne of his glory. Instead of δεξιᾳ, the right hand, the Codex Bezae has δοξῃ, to glory. A Prince - The leader or director in the way. See the notes o…
The verse links repentance and forgiveness as two inseparable gifts bestowed by Christ, emphasizing that repentance comes first. This means that receiving God's pardon isn't just about being let off the hook for sins, but a transformative change that prepares us to truly accept His saving grace.
The apostles have just been arrested for boldly preaching about Jesus, but miraculously freed by an angel. Now, standing before the very council that condemned Jesus, Peter directly confronts them, accusing them of rejecting and killing the "Author of life," whom God raised from the dead. This verse declares that God has now highly honored Jesus at His own right hand, appointing Him as the ultimate Leader and Savior to offer repentance and forgiveness of sins, specifically to Israel first.
The apostles have just been arrested for boldly preaching about Jesus, but miraculously freed by an angel. Now, standing before the very council that condemned Jesus, Peter directly confronts them, accusing them of rejecting and killing the "Author of life," whom God raised from the dead. This verse declares that God has now highly honored Jesus at His own right hand, appointing Him as the ultimate Leader and Savior to offer repentance and forgiveness of sins, specifically to Israel first.
"God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins." — The verse links repentance and forgiveness as two inseparable gifts bestowed by Christ, emphasizing that repentance comes first. This means that receiving God's pardon isn't just about being let of…
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Last reviewed October 2026