Ephesians 2:17-18
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The verse doesn't just say Christ brought peace, but that He came specifically to preach it. This emphasizes that His arrival and proclamation of peace wasn't just a side effect of His presence, but a deliberate, active mission that bridged the gap between those considered distant and those considered close. This highlights the intentionality of God's reconciling work, not just for the Jews ("near") but for the Gentiles ("far off") as well.
And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus, after breaking down the dividing wall between Jews and Gentiles through his death, personally came (both in his resurrection appearances and through the Spirit empowering his apostles) to proclaim the peace He accomplished. This message of peace, reconciliation with God, and unity was specifically directed to both the Gentiles who were "far off" and the Jews who were "near."
Did Jesus preach peace after His resurrection? What does that mean for His mission?
The verse speaks of Christ coming and preaching peace. While His earthly ministry laid the groundwork, this specific proclamation of peace to both 'near' and 'far' happens after His resurrection. This emphasizes that His work on the cross established the peace, and His post-resurrection appearances and ministry through the apostles are the active proclamation and application of that peace.
Think of it this way: the victory was won on the cross, and then Jesus, the triumphant King, came back from that spiritual battleground to declare the terms of peace and invite everyone to receive it. This wasn't just a message delivered through others; Christ Himself, in His resurrected glory, initiated and empowered this peace-preaching.
This highlights the centrality of the resurrection – it's the proof of the cross's efficacy and the launchpad for the ongoing ministry of peace.
Who are the 'far off' and the 'near'? Why does it matter that Christ's peace includes both?
The phrase 'you who were far off and to those who were near' is a direct echo of Isaiah 57:19, a promise God made to His people. In the context of Ephesians, 'those who were near' primarily refers to the Jewish people – God's chosen, historically close to Him through the covenant. 'You who were far off' refers to the Gentiles, those outside the covenant, who were spiritually distant.
Christ's mission, therefore, was to bridge this massive divide. He didn't just bring peace groups of people; He brought peace every group, tearing down the barriers of hostility (as Paul explains in Ephesians 2:14-16) that separated Jew and Gentile, and, more fundamentally, separated humanity from God.
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This inclusive peace is the heart of the gospel. It means that reconciliation with God through Christ is available to everyone, regardless of their background, heritage, or perceived distance from God.
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.
prosagōgē · Greek Noun
The freedom, privilege, or right to approach a superior or restricted place. Theologically, it describes the new standing believers have to enter God's presence directly through the work of Jesus Christ.
This verse speaks to the profound peace Christ established, bridging the ancient divide between Jews ('near') and Gentiles ('far off'), a division that was deeply felt and politically charged in the Roman world of the 1st century.
c. 33 AD
Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus
Following his resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples, proclaiming peace and commissioning them to spread the gospel.
c. 33-34 AD
Pentecost and the First Gentile Converts
The Holy Spirit empowers the apostles, leading to the conversion of thousands of Jews and the subsequent inclusion of Cornelius and his household, the first prominent Gentile converts.
c. 40-50 AD
Apostolic Journeys and Gentile Inclusion
The Apostle Paul's missionary journeys begin, establishing churches among the Gentiles and grappling with the implications of their inclusion in the early Christian community.
c. 50 AD
Council of Jerusalem
A pivotal council addresses the role of the Law for Gentile believers, affirming that salvation comes through faith in Christ, not adherence to Mosaic Law.
c. 60-62 AD— this verse
Paul's Imprisonment in Rome
During his house arrest in Rome, Paul writes letters, including Ephesians, to churches he had founded, offering profound theological insights into God's plan for both Jews and Gentiles.
c. 64 AD
Great Fire of Rome and Nero's Persecution
The persecution of Christians intensifies under Emperor Nero following the Great Fire of Rome, creating a context of external pressure for the early Church.
This verse is a direct quote from Isaiah, where God promises peace to both the distant and the near, highlighting God's universal offer of reconciliation.
Acts 10:36Peter recounts how God sent Jesus to proclaim peace to all who believe, bridging the gap between Jews and Gentiles, mirroring Paul's message in Ephesians.
Romans 5:10This passage explains that reconciliation with God through Christ's death is a reality for believers, emphasizing the peace established by Christ that brings us near to God.
Galatians 3:28Paul declares that in Christ, distinctions like Jew and Gentile are dissolved, highlighting the unity and peace Christ brings to those who were once separated.
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…
The verse doesn't just say Christ brought peace, but that He came specifically to preach it. This emphasizes that His arrival and proclamation of peace wasn't just a side effect of His presence, but a deliberate, active mission that bridged the gap between those considered distant and those considered close. This highlights the intentionality of God's reconciling work, not just for the Jews ("near") but for the Gentiles ("far off") as well.
Jesus, after breaking down the dividing wall between Jews and Gentiles through his death, personally came (both in his resurrection appearances and through the Spirit empowering his apostles) to proclaim the peace He accomplished. This message of peace, reconciliation with God, and unity was specifically directed to both the Gentiles who were "far off" and the Jews who were "near."
Jesus, after breaking down the dividing wall between Jews and Gentiles through his death, personally came (both in his resurrection appearances and through the Spirit empowering his apostles) to proclaim the peace He accomplished. This message of peace, reconciliation with God, and unity was specifically directed to both the Gentiles who were "far off" and the Jews who were "near."
"And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father." — The verse doesn't just say Christ brought peace, but that He came specifically to preach it. This emphasizes that His arrival and proclamation of peace wasn't just a side effect of His presence, bu…
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Last reviewed October 2026
