Acts 10:38 Meaning and Explanation
“How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →In one tender summary of Jesus' whole ministry, Peter says He simply went about doing good.
The Context of Acts 10:38
Peter is in the home of Cornelius, a Roman officer, preaching the gospel to Gentiles for the first time. He sums up the entire public life of Jesus in a single sentence so that this new household can grasp who Jesus was.
What Does Acts 10:38 Mean?
Asked to describe everything Jesus did, Peter chooses a phrase of striking warmth: He went about doing good. God had anointed Him with the Holy Ghost and with power, and that power flowed out in mercy, healing all who were oppressed of the devil. Wherever Jesus went, oppression lifted and people were set free. It is the kindest possible portrait of a life, drawn by a man who walked beside Him for three years and watched the goodness happen up close.
The closing words carry the weight: for God was with him. The good Jesus did was the goodness of God made visible, the Father working in and through the Son. To see Jesus healing the broken was to see the very heart of God toward suffering people. That same Jesus still moves toward the oppressed, and the goodness Peter remembered is the goodness He extends to us.
Acts 10:38 in the Original Language
chrio (χρίω), 'anointed' -- to anoint with oil, to set apart and empower; the root behind the title Christ.
How to Apply Acts 10:38 Today
When we wonder what God is like toward those who suffer, Peter points us to a life spent doing good and setting the oppressed free. The goodness of Jesus was the goodness of God Himself drawing near. He moves toward us in that same kindness still.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 10:38
What does Acts 10:38 mean?
In one tender summary of Jesus' whole ministry, Peter says He simply went about doing good.
What is the context of Acts 10:38?
Peter is in the home of Cornelius, a Roman officer, preaching the gospel to Gentiles for the first time. He sums up the entire public life of Jesus in a single sentence so that this new household can grasp who Jesus was.
How can I apply Acts 10:38 today?
When we wonder what God is like toward those who suffer, Peter points us to a life spent doing good and setting the oppressed free. The goodness of Jesus was the goodness of God Himself drawing near. He moves toward us in that same kindness still.