Acts 10:38
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
Original Language Analysis
Ἰησοῦν
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦν
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
1 of 30
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀπὸ
of
G575
ἀπὸ
of
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
3 of 30
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
ὡς
How
G5613
ὡς
How
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
5 of 30
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
ἔχρισεν
anointed
G5548
ἔχρισεν
anointed
Strong's:
G5548
Word #:
6 of 30
to smear or rub with oil, i.e., (by implication) to consecrate to an office or religious service
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 30
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
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
God
G2316
θεὸς
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
9 of 30
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
πνεύματι
Ghost
G4151
πνεύματι
Ghost
Strong's:
G4151
Word #:
10 of 30
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
ἁγίῳ
with the Holy
G40
ἁγίῳ
with the Holy
Strong's:
G40
Word #:
11 of 30
sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
δυνάμει
with power
G1411
δυνάμει
with power
Strong's:
G1411
Word #:
13 of 30
force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself)
ὃς
G3739
ὃς
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
14 of 30
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
17 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καταδυναστευομένους
that were oppressed
G2616
καταδυναστευομένους
that were oppressed
Strong's:
G2616
Word #:
21 of 30
to exercise dominion against, i.e., oppress
ὑπὸ
of
G5259
ὑπὸ
of
Strong's:
G5259
Word #:
22 of 30
under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
23 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὅτι
for
G3754
ὅτι
for
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
25 of 30
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
26 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
God
G2316
θεὸς
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
27 of 30
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
Cross References
Luke 4:18The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,Acts 2:22Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:Isaiah 11:2And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;John 3:34For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.Hebrews 1:9Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.Psalms 45:7Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.John 3:2The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.Matthew 12:28But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.Luke 3:22And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.Isaiah 42:1Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
Historical Context
Jesus' ministry occurred circa AD 27-30 throughout Galilee, Judea, and surrounding regions. His healing and deliverance ministry demonstrated the kingdom of God breaking into Satan's domain (Luke 11:20). Peter and the apostles were eyewitnesses to these works (v.39).
Questions for Reflection
- How did the Spirit's anointing equip Jesus for His messianic ministry?
- What does Jesus' healing ministry reveal about the kingdom of God?
- How does Christ's victory over demonic oppression give hope to those suffering spiritual oppression today?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Peter testified: 'How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.' The anointing with the Spirit (at Jesus' baptism) equipped Christ for His messianic ministry. Peter summarized Jesus' earthly work - doing good, healing, and liberating those oppressed by Satan. This demonstrates Christ's power over demonic forces and His compassionate ministry. Reformed Christology maintains that Christ's human nature, though sinless, needed the Spirit's empowerment for ministry, modeling Spirit-dependence for all ministry.