Acts 3:26
Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
God
G2316
θεὸς
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
4 of 21
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ἀναστήσας
having raised up
G450
ἀναστήσας
having raised up
Strong's:
G450
Word #:
5 of 21
to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παῖδα
Son
G3816
παῖδα
Son
Strong's:
G3816
Word #:
7 of 21
a boy (as often beaten with impunity), or (by analogy), a girl, and (genitive case) a child; specially, a slave or servant (especially a minister to a
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
8 of 21
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
Ἰησοῦν,
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦν,
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
9 of 21
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
ἀπέστειλεν
sent
G649
ἀπέστειλεν
sent
Strong's:
G649
Word #:
10 of 21
set apart, i.e., (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
11 of 21
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
εὐλογοῦντα
to bless
G2127
εὐλογοῦντα
to bless
Strong's:
G2127
Word #:
12 of 21
to speak well of, i.e., (religiously) to bless (thank or invoke a benediction upon, prosper)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀποστρέφειν
turning away
G654
ἀποστρέφειν
turning away
Strong's:
G654
Word #:
16 of 21
to turn away or back (literally or figuratively)
ἀπὸ
from
G575
ἀπὸ
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
18 of 21
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Matthew 1:21And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.Acts 3:22For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.Acts 3:25Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.Romans 1:16For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.Jude 1:24Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,Acts 26:20But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.Acts 2:24Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.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 3:15And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.Psalms 72:17His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed.
Historical Context
The phrase 'unto you first' explains Paul's later strategy: 'to the Jew first, and also to the Greek' (Romans 1:16). Israel's priority was chronological and strategic, not exclusive.
Questions for Reflection
- What does God's blessing through Christ actually provide?
- How does Israel's priority inform the church's ongoing relationship with Jewish people?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God sent Jesus 'unto you first' - Israel had priority in receiving the gospel. The purpose was 'to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.' Blessing through Christ means liberation from sin, not merely material prosperity.