Acts 2:22 Meaning and Explanation
“Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Peter points the crowd back to the Jesus they had watched with their own eyes, a man whose works carried the signature of God.
The Context of Acts 2:22
Still preaching on the day of Pentecost, Peter turns from prophecy to the plain memory of his hearers. Many in this Jerusalem crowd had seen Jesus heal and teach only weeks before, and Peter appeals to what they themselves already know.
What Does Acts 2:22 Mean?
Peter does not ask the crowd to take his word for it. He names Jesus of Nazareth, a real man who walked their roads, and points to the miracles and wonders and signs that God worked through Him in plain view. These were not done in a corner. They happened in the midst of you, Peter says, and you saw them. The works themselves were God's own endorsement, a public stamp on this one particular life.
Here at the very start of the church's preaching, Jesus is held up as fully and truly human, a man among them, and at the same time the one through whom God Himself was working. The miracles were the Father pointing to the Son. The same Jesus they could remember with their own eyes was the one God had marked out and approved, and in a few breaths Peter will tell them God raised Him from the dead.
Acts 2:22 in the Original Language
apodeiknymi (ἀποδείκνυμι), 'approved' -- to show forth, to publicly display and attest as genuine.
How to Apply Acts 2:22 Today
Our faith rests on a real person who really lived, healed, and was seen. Peter invites the crowd to look honestly at the evidence of Jesus' life, and that same invitation stands for us. God put His own stamp on this man, and we are asked simply to see Him as He is.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 2:22
What does Acts 2:22 mean?
Peter points the crowd back to the Jesus they had watched with their own eyes, a man whose works carried the signature of God.
What is the context of Acts 2:22?
Still preaching on the day of Pentecost, Peter turns from prophecy to the plain memory of his hearers. Many in this Jerusalem crowd had seen Jesus heal and teach only weeks before, and Peter appeals to what they themselves already know.
How can I apply Acts 2:22 today?
Our faith rests on a real person who really lived, healed, and was seen. Peter invites the crowd to look honestly at the evidence of Jesus' life, and that same invitation stands for us. God put His own stamp on this man, and we are asked simply to see Him as He is.