Acts 2:36 Meaning and Explanation
“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Peter declares with certainty that the crucified Jesus is the risen Lord and promised Messiah.
The Context of Acts 2:36
Peter is at the climax of his Pentecost sermon, speaking to thousands of Jews in Jerusalem. He has just quoted the psalms to show that Jesus fulfilled the messianic promises. Now he makes the direct accusation: these very listeners killed the promised One—yet God raised him as Lord and Christ.
What Does Acts 2:36 Mean?
The directness is stunning: 'that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified'—not avoiding blame or offering comfort, but naming the truth. Yet there is hope in the same breath. The people did kill him, but God did not abandon him. Instead, the Father raised him and exalted him as both Lord (kyrios, the title of God himself) and Christ (the anointed King the Jews had longed for). One act of rejection does not undo God's plan; it becomes the moment through which redemption flows.
For us, this verse holds a mirror. We too have resisted Christ in our own ways, pursued our own will, ignored his kingdom. Yet the declaration 'God hath made' him Lord speaks to our condition: the very Jesus we oppose is the One exalted as King. The hope is that recognizing this truth can transform us, as it transformed the three thousand who heard Peter's words.
Acts 2:36 in the Original Language
kyrios (Greek), 'Lord' -- the title for God in the Greek Old Testament; applying it to Jesus is the boldest claim Peter could make
How to Apply Acts 2:36 Today
When we understand that the One we have resisted is also the One exalted in glory, it breaks our pride and opens us to repentance. We are invited to stop opposing and start following the risen Lord. This knowledge is the beginning of transformation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 2:36
What does Acts 2:36 mean?
Peter declares with certainty that the crucified Jesus is the risen Lord and promised Messiah.
What is the context of Acts 2:36?
Peter is at the climax of his Pentecost sermon, speaking to thousands of Jews in Jerusalem. He has just quoted the psalms to show that Jesus fulfilled the messianic promises. Now he makes the direct accusation: these very listeners killed the promised One—yet God raised him as Lord and Christ.
How can I apply Acts 2:36 today?
When we understand that the One we have resisted is also the One exalted in glory, it breaks our pride and opens us to repentance. We are invited to stop opposing and start following the risen Lord. This knowledge is the beginning of transformation.