and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Notice how the verse emphasizes "beginning from Jerusalem"—not as an afterthought, but as the starting point for a mission to all nations. This highlights that even the most hardened hearts, those who had just rejected and crucified Jesus, were the first recipients of God's radical offer of forgiveness.
and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus, having just been proven alive and appearing to his disciples, is giving them their marching orders. He's explaining the core message they are now empowered to share: the good news of turning from sin and receiving forgiveness through him, a message meant for everyone, everywhere, starting right where they were. This commission flows directly from his victory over death, setting the stage for the apostles' mission that Luke will detail in the book of Acts.
What's the non-negotiable starting point for receiving God's forgiveness? Jesus makes it clear: it's not just about feeling sorry, but a complete turn.
Jesus commands His followers to proclaim 'repentance and remission of sins.' This isn't a gentle suggestion, but the essential core of the gospel message.
Turning From Sin
Repentance is a profound turning – a deliberate change of direction, away from sin and toward God. It's more than just regret; it's a decision to forsake old ways and embrace God's will.
Receiving Forgiveness
This turning is directly linked to the 'forgiveness of sins.' It’s in the context of this repentance that God’s pardon, made possible through Jesus’ sacrifice, is applied. It’s the power, guilt, and even the nature of sin being dealt with.
When you share the gospel, whose message is it really? It's not just your words, but God's own powerful declaration, delivered through His appointed messengers.
The phrase 'in his name' is crucial. It signifies that the message of repentance and forgiveness is not delivered by human authority, but by Jesus' own command and power.
Jesus' Authority
This means the apostles were to be His ambassadors, speaking with His delegated authority. They weren't starting a new movement; they were extending Christ's own mission.
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The Source of Forgiveness
Furthermore, 'in his name' points to the source of this forgiveness. It's only through Jesus' merits, His atoning sacrifice, that sins can truly be forgiven and dealt with. The power to forgive and the authority to proclaim it both stem from Him.
The gospel wasn't meant to stay contained. But why start in Jerusalem, the very place that rejected Jesus?
This verse outlines the incredible scope of the gospel commission: 'to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.' This reveals both the universal reach and the strategic starting point.
Universal Reach
The mission is global – 'all nations.' This echoes Old Testament prophecies and fulfills Jesus' plan for His message to go to every people group. No one is excluded from the offer of repentance and forgiveness.
Strategic Beginning
Starting in Jerusalem is significant. It was the religious and cultural center, the very city where Jesus was crucified. Proclaiming the gospel there first demonstrated God's incredible grace: offering forgiveness even to the 'murderers' of the Messiah. It showed that no sin is too great for God's mercy, and it set the pattern for the gospel's outward expansion.
Understand the original words
metanoia · Greek Noun
The act of changing one's mind, heart, and direction. It involves a turning away from sin and a turning toward God, acknowledging Him as Lord and Savior.
aphesis · Greek Noun
The act of releasing, canceling, or pardoning a debt or penalty. In the Bible, it signifies the removal of the legal and spiritual burden of sin through the sacrifice of Jesus.
hamartia · Greek Noun
Moral failure or transgression against God's law. Sin encompasses both acts of disobedience and the inherent fallen nature of humanity that separates it from a holy God.
martys · Greek Noun
People who provide testimony or evidence based on personal observation or experience. In the New Testament, it refers to those who bear witness to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The command to preach repentance and forgiveness 'beginning from Jerusalem' highlights God's incredible mercy, offering salvation first to those who had rejected and killed Jesus, and then extending it universally to all nations.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
The central events of Christian faith occur in Jerusalem. Jesus is crucified and then appears to his disciples, commissioning them with the Great Commission.
c. 30-33 AD
Pentecost and the First Gentile Conversions
The Holy Spirit empowers the apostles in Jerusalem, leading to the first mass conversions of Jews. Soon after, Peter preaches to Cornelius, a Roman centurion, marking a significant step towards Gentile inclusion.
c. 45-49 AD
Paul's First Missionary Journey
The Apostle Paul begins his extensive travels, taking the gospel message of repentance and forgiveness to Gentile communities throughout Asia Minor and Greece.
c. 50 AD
Council of Jerusalem
A pivotal council addresses the inclusion of Gentiles into the early church, affirming that salvation comes through faith in Christ, not adherence to Jewish law.
c. 62 AD
Paul's Imprisonment and Writings
While under house arrest in Rome, Paul continues to write letters to churches, further explaining the theological implications of the gospel for both Jews and Gentiles.
This passage prophesies the word of the Lord going forth from Jerusalem to all nations, echoing Luke's command for the gospel to begin there and spread universally.
Acts 1:8This verse directly expands on Luke 24:47, stating that repentance and forgiveness will be proclaimed 'in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem,' and serves as a bridge to the book of Acts.
Acts 13:46-47This passage shows the apostles following the directive by preaching first to the Jews in Antioch, and when they rejected the message, turning to the Gentiles, illustrating the 'beginning at Jerusalem' and spreading to 'all nations' principle.
Jeremiah 31:34This prophecy foretells a new covenant where God's law will be written on hearts and sins will be forgiven, fulfilling the promise of remission of sins proclaimed in Christ's name.
Joel 2:32This prophecy speaks of deliverance and salvation being found in Mount Zion and Jerusalem, and that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved, directly correlating with the proclamation of repentance and forgiveness in His name starting from Jerusalem.
pooleLuke 24:47: "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."
Ver. 47,48. The few words in Luke 24:47 are comprehensive of the great duty of the apostles: 1. To preach repentance and remission of sins. 2. In Christ’s name. 3. To all nations. 4. Beginning at Jerusalem. They were to preach repentance, that is, a turning from sinful courses into a course of life consonant to the will of God; and remission of sins, that is, upon re…
vincentLuke 24:47: "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."
Should be preachedSee on preacher, 2 Peter 2:5.In his nameOn the foundation of (ἐπἵ) See on Matthew 24:5.RemissionSee on Luke 3:3; and on forgiven, James 5:15.Beginning from JerusalemSome editors place a period after nations, and join these words with the next sentence, omitting and: "beginning from Jerusalem ye are witnesses."
Notice how the verse emphasizes "beginning from Jerusalem"—not as an afterthought, but as the starting point for a mission to all nations. This highlights that even the most hardened hearts, those who had just rejected and crucified Jesus, were the first recipients of God's radical offer of forgiveness.
Jesus, having just been proven alive and appearing to his disciples, is giving them their marching orders. He's explaining the core message they are now empowered to share: the good news of turning from sin and receiving forgiveness through him, a message meant for everyone, everywhere, starting right where they were. This commission flows directly from his victory over death, setting the stage for the apostles' mission that Luke will detail in the book of Acts.
Jesus, having just been proven alive and appearing to his disciples, is giving them their marching orders. He's explaining the core message they are now empowered to share: the good news of turning from sin and receiving forgiveness through him, a message meant for everyone, everywhere, starting right where they were. This commission flows directly from his victory over death, setting the stage for the apostles' mission that Luke will detail in the book of Acts.
"and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things." — Notice how the verse emphasizes "beginning from Jerusalem"—not as an afterthought, but as the starting point for a mission to all nations. This highlights that even the most hardened hearts, those…
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Last reviewed October 2026