Luke 24:47-49
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. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The stunning part here is that the very first place this message of forgiveness was to be proclaimed was Jerusalem, the very city whose leaders had just orchestrated Jesus' crucifixion! It's a bold declaration that the deepest sin doesn't disqualify anyone from God's offer of a fresh start.
Jesus, having just appeared to his disciples and shown them he's alive, is now commissioning them with their mission. He's telling them that the good news of turning from sin and receiving forgiveness is to be shared in his name with everyone, everywhere, starting right where they are in Jerusalem. This sets the stage for the book of Acts, where their ministry unfolds exactly as Jesus describes.
The Great Commission doesn't just offer good news; it calls for a response. What does it truly mean to 'repent'?
The word 'repentance' here isn't just about feeling sorry for mistakes. It’s a profound, active turning.
A Shift in Direction
It means a fundamental change in direction – a conscious decision to turn away from a life centered on self and sin, and to turn towards God and His ways. Think of it like changing course on a ship; it's not just acknowledging you're off course, but actively steering in a new direction.
Essential for Forgiveness
This turning is directly linked to the forgiveness of sins. It’s the necessary preparation of the heart for receiving God’s pardon. Without this willingness to change and embrace God’s path, the offer of forgiveness can’t truly take root.
The message of repentance and forgiveness isn't just a suggestion; it's proclaimed 'in His name.' What power does that carry?
When the apostles were commissioned to preach 'in His name,' it signified far more than just mentioning Jesus.
Christ's Authority
It meant they were speaking and acting with Christ's own authority. They were His ambassadors, carrying His message and His power to forgive. Their preaching wasn't based on their own wisdom or strength, but on the divine commission and backing of the risen Christ.
The Basis of Pardon
Furthermore, 'in His name' points to the very foundation of that forgiveness. It's through Christ's sacrifice, His merits, and His victory over sin and death that forgiveness is made possible. The proclamation is rooted in who He is and what He has done.
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.
This verse highlights the intentional strategy of the early church: to begin with Jerusalem, the very place where Jesus was crucified, demonstrating God's radical grace and willingness to forgive even his murderers, before extending the message to the entire world.
c. 30-33 AD— this verse
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
Jesus is crucified in Jerusalem and rises from the dead, fulfilling prophecies and establishing the basis for repentance and forgiveness.
c. 30-33 AD
The Great Commission
Jesus commissions his disciples to spread the message of repentance and forgiveness of sins in his name to all nations, starting in Jerusalem.
c. 30-33 AD
The Ascension of Jesus
Jesus ascends into heaven, leaving his followers with the mandate to be witnesses of his life, death, and resurrection.
c. 33 AD
Pentecost and the Coming of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit descends upon the apostles in Jerusalem, empowering them to begin preaching the gospel to diverse crowds.
This passage prophesies that the word of the Lord would go forth from Jerusalem, echoing the instruction in Luke that the message of repentance and forgiveness should begin there before spreading to all nations.
Acts 1:8This verse directly follows Luke's account and expands on the commission, stating the disciples would be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth, illustrating the 'beginning at Jerusalem' and 'to all nations' command.
Acts 2:38Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost is a prime example of this command in action, as he calls the people of Jerusalem to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of their sins in Jesus' name.
Romans 1:5Paul speaks of receiving grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all the nations for the sake of his name, reflecting the global scope of the commission given in Luke 24:47.
Mark 16:15This parallel passage from Mark presents Jesus' commission to 'go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation,' reinforcing the universal mission mentioned in Luke.
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."
The stunning part here is that the very first place this message of forgiveness was to be proclaimed was Jerusalem, the very city whose leaders had just orchestrated Jesus' crucifixion! It's a bold declaration that the deepest sin doesn't disqualify anyone from God's offer of a fresh start.
Jesus, having just appeared to his disciples and shown them he's alive, is now commissioning them with their mission. He's telling them that the good news of turning from sin and receiving forgiveness is to be shared in his name with everyone, everywhere, starting right where they are in Jerusalem. This sets the stage for the book of Acts, where their ministry unfolds exactly as Jesus describes.
Jesus, having just appeared to his disciples and shown them he's alive, is now commissioning them with their mission. He's telling them that the good news of turning from sin and receiving forgiveness is to be shared in his name with everyone, everywhere, starting right where they are in Jerusalem. This sets the stage for the book of Acts, where their ministry unfolds exactly as Jesus describes.
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This command has a specific starting point and an astonishingly broad reach. What does this geographic and ethnic scope reveal about God's heart?
The instruction to preach repentance and forgiveness 'beginning at Jerusalem' and extending 'to all nations' reveals a beautiful, unfolding divine strategy.
The Firstfruits from the Holy City
Starting in Jerusalem, the very city where Jesus was crucified, was profoundly symbolic. It was an act of immense grace, offering forgiveness first to those who had rejected and killed the Messiah. This demonstrated that no one was beyond the reach of God's mercy, even the 'dwelling of his murderers.' It was the ultimate proof that God's offer of salvation was genuine and complete.
A Universal Invitation
The command to go to 'all nations' shows that God's plan of salvation is not exclusive but inclusive. It breaks down every barrier of ethnicity, culture, and background. From the religious center of Judaism, the message was destined to spread outward, touching every corner of the globe, fulfilling ancient prophecies of God's universal love and redemption.
epangelia · Greek Noun
A solemn declaration or commitment made by God regarding future actions or blessings. It is rooted in God's faithfulness and is fulfilled through Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
dynamis · Greek Noun
The innate capability, influence, or enablement granted by God. It refers to the divine strength provided by the Holy Spirit to believers for the purpose of serving God and advancing His kingdom.
c. 33-34 AD
Early Church Growth in Jerusalem
The apostles begin proclaiming repentance and forgiveness in Jesus' name in Jerusalem, leading to thousands of Jewish converts.
c. 37-40 AD
Conversion of Saul of Tarsus
Saul, a persecutor of the early church, encounters the risen Christ and becomes the Apostle Paul, a key figure in Gentile evangelism.
c. 40s-60s AD
Missionary Journeys to the Gentiles
Paul and other apostles undertake extensive journeys, spreading the message of the gospel beyond Jewish communities to various Gentile nations.
"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. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city…" — The stunning part here is that the very first place this message of forgiveness was to be proclaimed was Jerusalem, the very city whose leaders had just orchestrated Jesus' crucifixion! It's a bold d…
