Acts 1:8
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.
Original Language Analysis
ἀλλὰ
But
G235
ἀλλὰ
But
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
1 of 28
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
λήψεσθε
ye shall receive
G2983
λήψεσθε
ye shall receive
Strong's:
G2983
Word #:
2 of 28
while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))
δύναμιν
power
G1411
δύναμιν
power
Strong's:
G1411
Word #:
3 of 28
force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself)
ἐπελθόντος
is come
G1904
ἐπελθόντος
is come
Strong's:
G1904
Word #:
4 of 28
to supervene, i.e., arrive, occur, impend, attack, (figuratively) influence
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἁγίου
after that the Holy
G40
ἁγίου
after that the Holy
Strong's:
G40
Word #:
6 of 28
sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)
πνεύματος
Ghost
G4151
πνεύματος
Ghost
Strong's:
G4151
Word #:
7 of 28
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'
upon
G1909
ἐφ'
upon
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
8 of 28
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μάρτυρες
witnesses
G3144
μάρτυρες
witnesses
Strong's:
G3144
Word #:
13 of 28
a witness (literally (judicially) or figuratively (genitive case)); by analogy, a "martyr"
Ἰερουσαλὴμ
Jerusalem
G2419
Ἰερουσαλὴμ
Jerusalem
Strong's:
G2419
Word #:
16 of 28
hierusalem (i.e., jerushalem), the capitol of palestine
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
17 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰουδαίᾳ
Judaea
G2449
Ἰουδαίᾳ
Judaea
Strong's:
G2449
Word #:
21 of 28
the judaean land (i.e., judaea), a region of palestine
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
22 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Σαμαρείᾳ
in Samaria
G4540
Σαμαρείᾳ
in Samaria
Strong's:
G4540
Word #:
23 of 28
samaria (i.e., shomeron), a city and region of palestine
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
24 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἕως
unto
G2193
ἕως
unto
Strong's:
G2193
Word #:
25 of 28
a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)
Cross References
Matthew 28:19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:Mark 16:15And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.Romans 15:19Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.Acts 5:32And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.Acts 4:33And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.Acts 6:8And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.Romans 10:18But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.John 15:27And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.Luke 10:19Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.Matthew 24:14And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Historical Context
Spoken during Jesus' final pre-ascension appearance (40 days after resurrection), this redirected disciples' focus from political restoration of Israel to worldwide evangelistic mission. The 'uttermost part of the earth' would have seemed impossibly vast to this small band of Galilean followers.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the Holy Spirit's power in your life manifest differently than human talent or charisma?
- What 'uttermost parts' in your sphere of influence require bold witness to Christ?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Ye shall receive power (δύναμιν λήμψεσθε)—The promise of divine enablement through the Holy Spirit, not human ability. The Greek 'dunamis' (power) appears throughout Acts as the source of apostolic boldness and miraculous signs. Witnesses unto me defines Christian identity as testifiers to Christ's resurrection. The geographic progression—Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, uttermost earth—provides Acts' structural outline, showing God's redemptive plan expanding from Judaism to all nations. This commission replaced messianic kingdom expectations with Spirit-empowered global mission.