Acts 2:38
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Original Language Analysis
Πέτρος
Peter
G4074
Πέτρος
Peter
Strong's:
G4074
Word #:
1 of 25
a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
4 of 25
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
αὐτούς
them
G846
αὐτούς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 25
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
Μετανοήσατε
Repent
G3340
Μετανοήσατε
Repent
Strong's:
G3340
Word #:
6 of 25
to think differently or afterwards, i.e., reconsider (morally, feel compunction)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
βαπτισθήτω
be baptized
G907
βαπτισθήτω
be baptized
Strong's:
G907
Word #:
8 of 25
to immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i.e., fully wet); used only (in the new testament) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordi
ἐπὶ
in
G1909
ἐπὶ
in
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
11 of 25
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὀνόματι
the name
G3686
ὀνόματι
the name
Strong's:
G3686
Word #:
13 of 25
a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)
Ἰησοῦ
of Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦ
of Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
14 of 25
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
εἰς
for
G1519
εἰς
for
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
16 of 25
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
19 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
λήψεσθε
ye shall receive
G2983
λήψεσθε
ye shall receive
Strong's:
G2983
Word #:
20 of 25
while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
23 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Acts 22:16And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.Mark 16:16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.Acts 8:12But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.Luke 24:47And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.Acts 10:48And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.1 Peter 3:21The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:Acts 3:19Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;Romans 6:3Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?Acts 17:30And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:Matthew 4:17From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Historical Context
Peter's sermon convicted hearers of complicity in crucifying the Messiah (vv.23,36). His call to repentance required Jews to reverse their verdict on Jesus and embrace him as Lord and Christ. Baptism risked social ostracism from the Jewish community. This occurred during Pentecost feast, around 30 AD.
Questions for Reflection
- How does baptism's public nature challenge cultural Christianity and private faith?
- In what areas does genuine repentance require more than emotional regret?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Repent, and be baptized (μετανοήσατε καὶ βαπτισθήτω)—Peter's Pentecost command links internal transformation with public confession. The aorist imperative 'repent' demands decisive turning from sin and unbelief, particularly rejection of Jesus (v.36). Baptism 'in the name of Jesus Christ' distinguished Christian initiation from John's baptism and Jewish ritual washing—it publicly identified believers with Christ's death and resurrection. For the remission of sins (εἰς ἄφεσιν τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν) connects to Joel's prophecy just quoted—the promised Spirit is now available through Israel's crucified Messiah. The 3,000 baptized that day formed the nucleus of the Jerusalem church.