Acts 1:3

Authorized King James Version

To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

Word-by-Word Analysis

οἷς

G3739

To whom

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

καὶ

G2532

also

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

παρέστησεν

G3936

he shewed

to stand beside, i.e., (transitively) to exhibit, proffer, (specially), recommend, (figuratively) substantiate; or (intransitively) to be at hand (or

ἑαυτὸν

G1438

himself

(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc

ζῶντα

G2198

alive

to live (literally or figuratively)

μετὰ

G3326

after

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

τὸ

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

παθεῖν

G3958

passion

to experience a sensation or impression (usually painful)

αὐτοῖς

G846

his

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

#10

ἐν

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

#11

πολλοῖς

G4183

many

(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely

#12

τεκμηρίοις

G5039

infallible proofs

a token (as defining a fact), i.e., criterion of certainty

#13

δι'

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

#14

ἡμερῶν

G2250

days

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

#15

τεσσαράκοντα

G5062

forty

#16

ὀπτανόμενος

G3700

being seen

to gaze (i.e., with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable; and thus differing from g0991, which denotes simply voluntary observation; and from g1

#17

αὐτοῖς

G846

his

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

#18

καὶ

G2532

also

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

#19

λέγων

G3004

speaking

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

#20

τὰ

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#21

περὶ

G4012

of the things pertaining

properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas

#22

τῆς

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#23

βασιλείας

G932

to the kingdom

properly, royalty, i.e., (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively)

#24

τοῦ

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#25

θεοῦ·

G2316

of God

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

Analysis

The kingdom of God theme here intersects with the progressive revelation of God's rule from creation to consummation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of development from creation mandate through Davidic kingdom to eschatological fulfillment. The phrase emphasizing kingdom relates to eschatology and the ultimate purpose of God's redemptive plan and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's reign from creation through the millennial kingdom.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of kingdom of God within the theological tradition of Acts Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes kingdom in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How does this verse's literary context within Acts chapter 1 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
In what ways does understanding kingdom in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about kingdom of God?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of kingdom of God, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of eschatology and the doctrine of last things?

Related Resources

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People

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Paul