Acts 10:41
Not 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.
Original Language Analysis
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λαῷ
the people
G2992
λαῷ
the people
Strong's:
G2992
Word #:
4 of 23
a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)
ἀλλὰ
but
G235
ἀλλὰ
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
5 of 23
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
μάρτυσιν
unto witnesses
G3144
μάρτυσιν
unto witnesses
Strong's:
G3144
Word #:
6 of 23
a witness (literally (judicially) or figuratively (genitive case)); by analogy, a "martyr"
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὑπὸ
of
G5259
ὑπὸ
of
Strong's:
G5259
Word #:
9 of 23
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 #:
10 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
God
G2316
θεοῦ
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
11 of 23
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτὸν
he
G846
αὐτὸν
he
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
17 of 23
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
μετὰ
after
G3326
μετὰ
after
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
18 of 23
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀναστῆναι
rose
G450
ἀναστῆναι
rose
Strong's:
G450
Word #:
20 of 23
to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)
αὐτὸν
he
G846
αὐτὸν
he
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
21 of 23
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
Cross References
John 14:22Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?John 14:17Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.John 21:13Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise.Acts 10:39And 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:Acts 1:22Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.Acts 13:31And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.
Historical Context
Chosen before of God indicates predetermined witnesses—apostles and select others—not public spectacle. Eating and drinking proved physicality—not ghost or vision but material body. Ancient thought distinguished resurrection (bodily) from immortality (spiritual). Peter's testimony around 40 CE established apostolic witness as foundation for Christian proclamation—those who physically interacted with risen Jesus became authoritative gospel messengers.
Questions for Reflection
- Why didn't Jesus appear to everyone after resurrection?
- What does eating and drinking prove about resurrection's physical nature?
- How does selective witness-choosing demonstrate divine sovereignty?
- In what ways do chosen witnesses provide gospel's authoritative foundation?
- What distinguishes resurrection from mere spiritual survival of death?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Not 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. Peter explains resurrection appearances' selectivity while emphasizing physical reality (eating, drinking) and divine sovereignty in choosing witnesses.