Acts 15:8
And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
God
G2316
θεὸς
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
4 of 15
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ἐμαρτύρησεν
bare them witness
G3140
ἐμαρτύρησεν
bare them witness
Strong's:
G3140
Word #:
5 of 15
to be a witness, i.e., testify (literally or figuratively)
αὐτοῖς,
them
G846
αὐτοῖς,
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 15
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
δοὺς
giving
G1325
δοὺς
giving
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
7 of 15
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
αὐτοῖς,
them
G846
αὐτοῖς,
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
8 of 15
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
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πνεῦμα
Ghost
G4151
πνεῦμα
Ghost
Strong's:
G4151
Word #:
10 of 15
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
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἅγιον
the Holy
G40
ἅγιον
the Holy
Strong's:
G40
Word #:
12 of 15
sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)
Cross References
Acts 1:24And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,Acts 10:47Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?Revelation 2:23And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.Acts 14:3Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.Acts 2:4And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Historical Context
At the Jerusalem Council (AD 49-50), Peter recounted the Cornelius incident (Acts 10) to defend Gentile inclusion without circumcision. His testimony from a decade earlier provided irrefutable evidence of God's acceptance of uncircumcised believers.
Questions for Reflection
- What does God's knowledge of hearts teach about the basis for acceptance into His family?
- How should this passage inform debates about requirements for church membership today?
Analysis & Commentary
Peter's description of God as 'which knoweth the hearts' establishes that divine acceptance bases on internal faith, not external ritual. His argument that God gave the Spirit to Gentiles 'like as he did unto us' places Jewish and Gentile believers on equal footing. This testimony proved decisive in the Jerusalem Council's deliberation.