Acts 10:39
And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 21
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 #:
4 of 21
a witness (literally (judicially) or figuratively (genitive case)); by analogy, a "martyr"
ὃν
which
G3739
ὃν
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
6 of 21
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἐποίησεν
he did
G4160
ἐποίησεν
he did
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
7 of 21
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χώρᾳ
the land
G5561
χώρᾳ
the land
Strong's:
G5561
Word #:
11 of 21
room, i.e., a space of territory (more or less extensive; often including its inhabitants)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Ἰερουσαλήμ
Jerusalem
G2419
Ἰερουσαλήμ
Jerusalem
Strong's:
G2419
Word #:
16 of 21
hierusalem (i.e., jerushalem), the capitol of palestine
ὃν
which
G3739
ὃν
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
17 of 21
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἀνεῖλον
they slew
G337
ἀνεῖλον
they slew
Strong's:
G337
Word #:
18 of 21
to take up, i.e., adopt; by implication, to take away (violently), i.e., abolish, murder
Cross References
Luke 24:48And ye are witnesses of these things.Acts 10:41Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.Acts 1:8But 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.Acts 2:32This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.1 Peter 2:24Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
Historical Context
We are witnesses establishes apostolic authority as eyewitnesses to Jesus' ministry, death, and resurrection. The phrase hanged on a tree echoes Deuteronomy 21:22-23, suggesting Jesus bore covenant curse. Paul later develops this theology (Galatians 3:13). Peter's testimony around 40 CE in Cornelius's house provided Gentiles with firsthand account from Jesus' inner circle—powerful apologetic for Christianity's historical foundations.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does eyewitness testimony matter for gospel credibility?
- What does crucifixion ('hanged on tree') reveal about curse-bearing substitution?
- How do apostolic witnesses authenticate gospel claims?
- In what ways does historical particularity distinguish Christianity from mythological religions?
- What role does Jesus' death play as gospel's central event?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Peter's eyewitness testimony combined with the stark reality of crucifixion provides historical foundation while introducing the gospel's central event.