Acts 5:31
God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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It's easy to miss that Jesus is exalted not just to forgive sins, but to give repentance first. This means repentance itself is a gift from Him, not just something we achieve on our own, showing that true change of heart is a divine enablement flowing from His glorified position.
Just moments before, the apostles had been arrested for healing people and preaching about Jesus, but miraculously escaped prison overnight. Now, brought back before the very religious leaders who ordered their arrest, Peter boldly declares that Jesus, whom they crucified, has been raised and honored by God. This verse is the powerful climax of Peter's defense, explaining Jesus' current divine role as the one who grants both the opportunity to change one's heart and the forgiveness of sins.
Peter declares Jesus was exalted to God's 'right hand.' What does this powerful image really mean for Christ's position and authority?
When the Bible speaks of God's 'right hand,' it's not just about a physical location. It signifies supreme power, authority, and favor.
A Seat of Honor and Power
The Source of Salvation's Gifts
Peter links repentance and forgiveness so closely, he says Jesus was exalted 'to give' both. What does this connection reveal about God's plan?
The exaltation of Jesus is directly tied to His ability to grant two essential gifts for salvation: repentance and forgiveness.
The Divine Order
An Inseparable Connection
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.
This declaration by Peter comes at a critical moment when the apostles are directly defying the religious authorities of Israel. The message that Jesus, the one they condemned, has been exalted by God to offer repentance and forgiveness is a radical challenge to their power and understanding.
c. 30 AD
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
Jesus of Nazareth is crucified in Jerusalem and, according to belief, resurrected three days later, fulfilling prophecies.
c. 30 AD
Pentecost and the First Christian Sermon
The Holy Spirit descends upon Jesus' followers in Jerusalem, empowering Peter to preach the first public sermon of the nascent Christian movement.
c. 30-34 AD
Apostles Heal and Preach in Jerusalem
The apostles Peter and John, empowered by the Holy Spirit, heal a lame man at the temple gate and preach about Jesus, leading to their arrest and questioning by the Sanhedrin.
c. 30-34 AD— this verse
Apostles' Trial and Defiance
Brought before the Sanhedrin, the apostles boldly declare that obedience to God is paramount, even over human authority. This is the immediate context for the verse.
This passage describes God also exalting Jesus to a supreme position, highlighting the divine action behind Christ's glorified status.
Isaiah 55:7This verse speaks of God abundantly pardoning, directly paralleling the 'forgiveness of sins' offered through Christ's exaltation.
Luke 24:47This passage from Jesus' teaching after His resurrection explicitly links repentance and forgiveness of sins to be proclaimed in His name, echoing Peter's message here.
John 3:14-15Jesus Himself speaks of being 'lifted up' (a word used in Acts 5:31 in some translations), connecting His suffering and exaltation to the salvation and eternal life offered to believers.
Ezekiel 36:26This Old Testament prophecy promises God giving a 'new heart' and 'new spirit,' which is the internal work of repentance that Christ's exaltation makes possible.
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…
It's easy to miss that Jesus is exalted not just to forgive sins, but to give repentance first. This means repentance itself is a gift from Him, not just something we achieve on our own, showing that true change of heart is a divine enablement flowing from His glorified position.
Just moments before, the apostles had been arrested for healing people and preaching about Jesus, but miraculously escaped prison overnight. Now, brought back before the very religious leaders who ordered their arrest, Peter boldly declares that Jesus, whom they crucified, has been raised and honored by God. This verse is the powerful climax of Peter's defense, explaining Jesus' current divine role as the one who grants both the opportunity to change one's heart and the forgiveness of sins.
Just moments before, the apostles had been arrested for healing people and preaching about Jesus, but miraculously escaped prison overnight. Now, brought back before the very religious leaders who ordered their arrest, Peter boldly declares that Jesus, whom they crucified, has been raised and honored by God. This verse is the powerful climax of Peter's defense, explaining Jesus' current divine role as the one who grants both the opportunity to change one's heart and the forgiveness of sins.
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Jesus is called both 'Leader' (Prince) and 'Savior.' How do these two titles work together to describe His mission?
The titles 'Prince' (or Leader) and 'Savior' describe the complete work Jesus accomplishes for us.
The Leader (Prince)
The Savior
Together, They Make Us Whole
aphesis · Greek Noun
The gracious act of God in releasing, pardoning, and removing the guilt and debt of human transgression.
c. 34 AD
Stephen's Martyrdom
Stephen, a deacon, becomes the first Christian martyr after a powerful speech to the Sanhedrin, leading to increased persecution of the early church.
c. 35 AD
Saul's Persecution and Conversion
Saul of Tarsus actively persecutes the church but dramatically encounters the resurrected Jesus on the road to Damascus, transforming into the apostle Paul.
"God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins." — It's easy to miss that Jesus is exalted not just to forgive sins, but to give repentance first. This means repentance itself is a gift from Him, not just something we achieve on our own, showing th…
