Acts 3:18
But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
God
G2316
θεὸς
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
3 of 16
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ἃ
those things which
G3739
ἃ
those things which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
4 of 16
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
προκατήγγειλεν
before had shewed
G4293
προκατήγγειλεν
before had shewed
Strong's:
G4293
Word #:
5 of 16
to anounce beforehand, i.e., predict, promise
διὰ
by
G1223
διὰ
by
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
6 of 16
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
στόματος
the mouth
G4750
στόματος
the mouth
Strong's:
G4750
Word #:
7 of 16
the mouth (as if a gash in the face); by implication, language (and its relations); figuratively, an opening (in the earth); specially, the front or e
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
προφητῶν
prophets
G4396
προφητῶν
prophets
Strong's:
G4396
Word #:
10 of 16
a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet
αὐτοῦ
G846
αὐτοῦ
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
11 of 16
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
παθεῖν
should suffer
G3958
παθεῖν
should suffer
Strong's:
G3958
Word #:
12 of 16
to experience a sensation or impression (usually painful)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Χριστὸν
that Christ
G5547
Χριστὸν
that Christ
Strong's:
G5547
Word #:
14 of 16
anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus
Cross References
Acts 2:23Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:Zechariah 12:10And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.Isaiah 50:6I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.Revelation 19:10And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.Acts 28:23And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.Luke 24:44And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
Historical Context
The suffering Messiah theme runs through Isaiah 53, Psalm 22, Zechariah 12:10, and other prophetic texts. Peter argues that Scripture predicted what they accomplished.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you reconcile human responsibility with divine sovereignty in the cross?
- What comfort comes from knowing God's purposes cannot be thwarted by human rebellion?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Divine sovereignty shines through human sin: 'God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer.' What humans intended for evil, God ordained for redemption. The cross was both human crime and divine plan simultaneously.