Acts 1:8

Authorized King James Version

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Word-by-Word Analysis

ἀλλὰ

G235

But

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

λήψεσθε

G2983

ye shall receive

while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))

δύναμιν

G1411

power

force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself)

ἐπελθόντος

G1904

is come

to supervene, i.e., arrive, occur, impend, attack, (figuratively) influence

τοῦ

G3588

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

ἁγίου

G40

after that the Holy

sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)

πνεύματος

G4151

Ghost

a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin

ἐφ'

G1909

upon

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

ὑμᾶς

G5209

you

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

#10

καὶ

G2532

and

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

#11

ἔσεσθέ

G2071

ye shall be

will be

#12

μοι

G3427

unto me

to me

#13

μάρτυρες

G3144

witnesses

a witness (literally (judicially) or figuratively (genitive case)); by analogy, a "martyr"

#14

ἐν

G1722

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

#15

τε

G5037

both

both or also (properly, as correlation of g2532)

#16

Ἰερουσαλὴμ

G2419

Jerusalem

hierusalem (i.e., jerushalem), the capitol of palestine

#17

καὶ

G2532

and

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

#18

ἐν

G1722

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

#19

πάσῃ

G3956

all

all, any, every, the whole

#20

τῇ

G3588

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

#21

Ἰουδαίᾳ

G2449

Judaea

the judaean land (i.e., judaea), a region of palestine

#22

καὶ

G2532

and

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

#23

Σαμαρείᾳ

G4540

in Samaria

samaria (i.e., shomeron), a city and region of palestine

#24

καὶ

G2532

and

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

#25

ἕως

G2193

unto

a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)

#26

ἐσχάτου

G2078

the uttermost part

farthest, final (of place or time)

#27

τῆς

G3588

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

#28

γῆς

G1093

of the earth

soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)

Cross References

Related verses that illuminate this passage (hover to preview):

¹ Luke 24:49 Luke 24:49
And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
— Promise of my Father
² Acts 2:4 Acts 2:4
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
— Filled with Holy Ghost

Analysis

Within the broader context of Acts, this passage highlights salvation through universal language and absolute statements. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by establishing foundational concepts crucial to Acts's theological argument.

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 salvation 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 divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine revelation differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?

Related Resources

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