Ephesians 2:17
And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jesus didn't just establish peace; he actively announced it after his resurrection, bringing it to both Jews and Gentiles as the unifying force He created on the cross. This preaching wasn't just historical; it was through His Spirit, empowering His followers to carry His message of reconciliation to all people.
Having broken down the hostility between Jews and Gentiles by His death, Christ then actively brought this peace, proclaiming it first to those who were distant (the Gentiles) and then to those who were near (the Jews), just as the prophet Isaiah had foretold. This preaching, carried out by His Spirit through the apostles after His resurrection, announced reconciliation with God and with one another to both groups, uniting them into one new community.
Jesus' message of peace wasn't just a historical event from his earthly ministry. Notice how Paul emphasizes his coming to preach peace after his work on the cross.
The timing of Christ's preaching of peace is crucial. It wasn't just during his earthly ministry, but significantly after his death and resurrection. This act of 'coming' signifies his triumphant emergence from the tomb and his powerful presence through the Holy Spirit. His first words to his disciples were 'Peace be with you!' (John 20:19), marking the beginning of this new era of peace. This wasn't a peace he merely announced, but one he secured through his sacrifice and now actively brings through his Spirit to believers.
Who received this message of peace? The verse speaks of those 'far off' and those 'near.' This isn't just a geographical distinction, but a profound theological one.
The 'far off' refers to the Gentiles, who were historically separated from God's covenant promises and seen as outsiders. The 'near' refers to the Jews, who were God's chosen people, closer to His promises. Christ's work of peace bridges this chasm. He didn't just bring peace to the Jews or to the Gentiles, but he proclaimed peace to both, making them one new people. This is a direct fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy (Isaiah 57:19), showing God's inclusive plan of reconciliation that demolishes ethnic and religious barriers.
What kind of peace did Jesus preach? It's more than just the absence of conflict; it's a profound reconciliation, first with God, then with each other.
The core of the peace Jesus preached is reconciliation. He abolished the enmity between Jew and Gentile by making 'both one' (Ephesians 2:14). This unity is rooted in the peace with God that Christ established through His atoning sacrifice. By overcoming the hostility through His death, Christ not only offered peace to us but also made peace us. This divine reconciliation is the foundation for all other forms of peace, including peace between people, breaking down the 'middle wall of partition.'
Understand the original words
eirēnē · Greek Noun
A state of harmony, wholeness, or wellbeing, and the cessation of conflict. It is a gift of God rooted in the restoration of a right relationship with Him, which subsequently enables reconciliation among people.
This verse highlights Jesus' role in bridging the divide between Jews ('near') and Gentiles ('far off'), a mission that gained momentum after his resurrection and continued through the apostles' ministry in a world deeply marked by ethnic and religious divisions, and on the cusp of significant conflict.
c. 4 BCE - c. 30 CE
Life and Ministry of Jesus
Jesus Christ, the central figure of Christianity, lived and ministered in Judea, primarily preaching to his own people, the Jews ('those who were near'). His message of peace and reconciliation was foundational.
c. 33 CE
Pentecost and the Coming of the Holy Spirit
Following Jesus' resurrection and ascension, the Holy Spirit empowered his apostles. This event marked the beginning of the church's mission to spread the Gospel, including the message of peace, to all nations.
c. 40s - 60s CE— this verse
Apostolic Missions to Gentiles
The apostles, particularly Paul, embarked on extensive missionary journeys, preaching the Gospel of peace to Gentiles ('those who were far off'). This included establishing churches in places like Ephesus.
c. 62 CE
Paul's Imprisonment and Writing of Ephesians
The Apostle Paul, while imprisoned in Rome, wrote the Epistle to the Ephesians. He addressed the church in Ephesus, a major Gentile city, reflecting on the reconciliation Christ brought between Jews and Gentiles.
This verse is a direct quotation and expansion of Isaiah's prophecy, showing how Christ's peace extends to both the distant (Gentiles) and the near (Jews), fulfilling ancient promises.
Acts 10:36This passage highlights Peter's proclamation that God sent Jesus to preach peace through the gospel, emphasizing that salvation is for everyone, Jew and Gentile alike.
Luke 2:14This verse speaks of 'peace on earth' proclaimed by the angels at Jesus' birth, connecting to the ultimate peace Christ brings through His ministry and sacrifice.
John 14:27Jesus tells His disciples, 'Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you,' which echoes the peace Christ preached and left as His legacy to believers, both near and far.
Colossians 1:20This verse speaks of God reconciling all things to himself through Christ, whether things on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of His cross, underscoring the comprehensive nature of the peace Christ preaches.
cambridgeEphesians 2:17: "And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh."
17 . and came ] from the work of the Cross, from the Grave. “Peace” was His first word in Resurrection-life to His gathered Church ( John 20:19 ); and that Church was then, and not till then, sent to the world, “far off” as well as “nigh,” to be an “ambassador on behalf of Christ” ( 2 Corinthians 5:20 ), representing Him in His preaching ministry of peace. Thus vicariously, but really, had He “…
bengelEphesians 2:17: "And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh."
Ephesians 2:17 . Ἐλθὼν , having come ) from death, from His descent into hell, and from His resurrection, He, Himself a joyful conqueror, spontaneously [34] preached. A remarkable expression; 2 Timothy 1:10 ; John 14:18 .— ΕὐΗΓΓΕΛΊΣΑΤΟ , preached ) The verb for the participle; comp. ποιήσας , Ephesians 2:14 . He announced peace with His own mouth to the apostles, Luke 24:36 ; John 20:19 ; John…
Jesus didn't just establish peace; he actively announced it after his resurrection, bringing it to both Jews and Gentiles as the unifying force He created on the cross. This preaching wasn't just historical; it was through His Spirit, empowering His followers to carry His message of reconciliation to all people.
Having broken down the hostility between Jews and Gentiles by His death, Christ then actively brought this peace, proclaiming it first to those who were distant (the Gentiles) and then to those who were near (the Jews), just as the prophet Isaiah had foretold. This preaching, carried out by His Spirit through the apostles after His resurrection, announced reconciliation with God and with one another to both groups, uniting them into one new community.
Having broken down the hostility between Jews and Gentiles by His death, Christ then actively brought this peace, proclaiming it first to those who were distant (the Gentiles) and then to those who were near (the Jews), just as the prophet Isaiah had foretold. This preaching, carried out by His Spirit through the apostles after His resurrection, announced reconciliation with God and with one another to both groups, uniting them into one new community.
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c. 66-73 CE
The First Jewish Revolt Against Rome
Growing tensions between Jews and Romans erupted into a major war. This conflict, culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple, dramatically highlighted the historical chasm between Jewish and Gentile societies.
"And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near." — Jesus didn't just establish peace; he actively announced it after his resurrection, bringing it to both Jews and Gentiles as the unifying force He created on the cross. This preaching wasn't just h…
