The MacArthur Study Bible, NKJV, page 538
19:3 b Is. 50:6
19:3 1 NU And they came up to Him and said
19:4 c Is. 53:9; John 18:33, 38; 1 Pet. 2:22–24
19:6 d Acts 3:13
19:7 e Lev. 24:16
19:7 f Matt. 26:63–66; John 5:18; 10:33
19:7 2 NU the law
19:9 g Is. 53:7; Matt. 27:12, 14; Luke 23:9
19:10 3 authority
19:11 h (Luke 22:53); John 7:30
19:11 i John 3:27; Rom. 13:1
19:12 j Luke 23:2; John 18:33; Acts 17:7
19:13 k Deut. 1:17; 1 Sam. 15:24; Prov. 29:25; Is. 51:12; Acts 4:19
19:14 l Matt. 27:62; John 19:31, 42
19:15 m (Gen. 49:10)
19:16 n Matt. 27:26, 31; Mark 15:15; Luke 23:24
19:16 4 NU omits and led Him away
19:17 o Matt. 27:31, 33; Mark 15:21, 22; Luke 23:26, 33
19:17 p Num. 15:36; Heb. 13:12
19:18 q Ps. 22:16–18; Is. 53:12; Matt. 20:19; 26:2
19:19 r Matt. 27:37; Mark 15:26; Luke 23:38
19:23 s Matt. 27:35; Mark 15:24; Luke 23:34
19:24 t Ps. 22:18
19:25 u Matt. 27:55; Mark 15:40; Luke 2:35; 23:49
19:25 v Luke 24:18
19:26 w John 13:23; 20:2; 21:7, 20, 24
19:26 x John 2:4
19:27 y Luke 18:28; John 1:11; 16:32; Acts 21:6
19:28 z Ps. 22:15
19:28 5 M seeing
19:29 a Ps. 69:21; Matt. 27:48, 50; Mark 15:36; Luke 23:36
19:30 b Dan. 9:26; Zech. 11:10, 11; John 17:4
19:31 c Matt. 27:62; Mark 15:42; Luke 23:54
19:31 d Deut. 21:23; Josh. 8:29; 10:26
19:31 e Ex. 12:16; Lev. 23:6, 7
19:34 f (1 John 5:6, 8)
19:35 g John 21:24
19:35 h (John 20:31)
19:36 i (Ex. 12:46; Num. 9:12); Ps. 34:20
19:37 j Ps. 22:16, 17; Zech. 12:10; 13:6; Rev. 1:7
19:38 k Matt. 27:57–61; Mark 15:42–47; Luke 23:50–56
19:38 l (John 7:13; 9:22; 12:42)
19:39 m John 3:1, 2; 7:50
19:39 n Ps. 45:8; Prov. 7:17; Song 4:14; Matt. 2:11
19:40 o Luke 24:12; John 20:5, 7; Acts 5:6
19:42 p Is. 53:9; Matt. 26:12; Mark 14:8
19:42 q John 19:14, 31
John 20
20:1 a Matt. 28:1–8; Mark 16:1–8; Luke 24:1–10; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:2
20:1 b Matt. 27:60, 66; 28:2; Mark 15:46; 16:4; Luke 24:2; John 11:38
20:2 c John 21:23, 24
20:2 d John 13:23; 19:26; 21:7, 20, 24
20:3 e Luke 24:12
20:5 f John 19:40
20:7 g John 11:44
20:7 1 face cloth
20:8 h John 21:23, 24
20:9 i Ps. 16:10; Acts 2:25, 31; 13:34, 35
20:9 2 understand
20:11 j Mark 16:5
20:14 k Matt. 28:9; Mark 16:9
20:14 l (Luke 24:16, 31); John 21:4
20:16 m John 10:3
20:16 3 NU adds in Hebrew
20:17 n Mark 16:19; Luke 24:5; Acts 1:9; 2:34–36; Eph. 4:8–10; Heb. 4:14
20:17 o Ps. 22:22; Matt. 18:10; Rom. 8:29; Heb. 2:11
20:17 p John 16:28; 17:11
20:17 q Eph. 1:17
20:18 r Matt. 28:10; Luke 24:10, 23
20:18 4 NU disciples, “I have seen the Lord,”
20:19 s Mark 16:14; Luke 24:36; John 14:27; 1 Cor. 15:5
20:19 t John 9:22; 19:38
20:19 u John 14:27; 16:33; Eph. 2:17
20:19 5 NU omits assembled
20:20 v Acts 1:3
20:20 w John 16:20, 22
20:21 x (Matt. 28:18–20); John 17:18, 19; (2 Tim. 2:2); Heb. 3:1
20:23 y Matt. 16:19; 18:18
20:24 z John 11:16
20:27 a Ps. 22:16; Zech. 12:10; 13:6; 1 John 1:1
20:27 b Mark 16:14
20:29 c 2 Cor. 5:7; 1 Pet. 1:8
20:29 6 NU, M omit Thomas
20:30 d John 21:25
20:31 e Luke 1:4
20:31 f John 19:35; 1 John 5:13
20:31 g Luke 2:11; 1 John 5:1
20:31 h John 3:15, 16; 5:24; (1 Pet. 1:8, 9)
John 21
21:1 a Matt. 26:32; Mark 14:28; John 6:1
21:2 b John 20:24
21:2 c John 1:45–51
21:2 d John 2:1
21:2 e Matt. 4:21; Mark 1:19; Luke 5:10
21:3 1 NU omits immediately
21:4 f Luke 24:16; John 20:14
21:5 g Luke 24:41
21:6 h Luke 5:4, 6, 7
21:7 i John 13:23; 20:2
21:12 j Acts 10:41
21:14 k John 20:19, 26
21:15 l Acts 20:28; 1 Tim. 4:6; 1 Pet. 5:2
21:15 2 NU John
21:15 3 have affection for
21:16 m Matt. 2:6; Acts 20:28; Heb. 13:20; 1 Pet. 2:25; 5:2, 4
21:16 n Ps. 79:13; Matt. 10:16; 15:24; 25:33; 26:31
21:16 4 NU John
21:16 5 have affection for
21:17 o John 2:24, 25; 16:30
21:17 6 NU John
21:17 7 have affection for
21:18 p John 13:36; Acts 12:3, 4
21:19 q 2 Pet. 1:13, 14
21:19 r (Matt. 4:19; 16:24); John 21:22
21:20 s John 13:23; 20:2
21:20 t John 13:25
21:22 u (Matt. 16:27, 28; 25:31; 1 Cor. 4:5; 11:26; Rev. 2:25; 3:11; 22:7, 20)
21:22 8 desire
21:24 v John 19:35; 3 John 12
21:25 w John 20:30
21:25 x Amos 7:10
Introduction to Acts
Title
As the second book Luke addressed to Theophilus (see Luke 1:3), Acts may originally have had no title. The Greek manuscripts title it “Acts,” and many add “of the Apostles.” The Greek word translated “Acts” (praxeis) was often used to describe the achievements of great men. Acts does feature the notable figures in the early years of the church, especially Peter (chaps. 1-12) and Paul (chaps. 13-28). But the book could more properly be called “The Acts of the Holy Spirit through the Apostles,” since His sovereign, superintending work was far more significant than that of any man. It was the Spirit’s directing, controlling, and empowering ministry that strengthened the church and caused it to grow in numbers, spiritual power, and influence.
Author and Date
Since Luke’s gospel was the first book addressed to Theophilus (Luke 1:3), it is logical to conclude that Luke is also the author of Acts, although he is not named in either book. The writings of the early church Fathers such as Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, Origen, Eusebius, and Jerome affirm Luke’s authorship, and so does the Muratorian Canon (ca. A.D. 170). Because he is a relatively obscure figure, mentioned only 3 times in the NT (Col. 4:14; 2 Tim. 4:11, Philem. 24), it is unlikely that anyone would have forged a work to make it appear to be Luke’s. A forger surely would have attributed his work to a more prominent person.
Luke was Paul’s close friend, traveling companion, and personal physician (Col. 4:14). He was a careful researcher (Luke 1:1-4) and an accurate historian, displaying an intimate knowledge of Roman laws and customs, as well as the geography of Palestine, Asia Minor, and Italy. In writing Acts, Luke drew on written sources (15:23-29; 23:26-30), and also no doubt interviewed key figures, such as Peter, John, and others in the Jerusalem church. Paul’s two-year imprisonment at Caesarea (24:27) gave Luke ample opportunity to interview Philip and his daughters (who were considered important sources of information on the early days of the church). Finally, Luke’s frequent use of the first person plural pronouns “we” and “us”(16:10-17; 20:5-21:18; 27:1-28:16) reveals that he was an eyewitness to many of the events recorded in Acts.
Some believe Luke wrote Acts after the fall of Jerusalem (A.D. 70; his death was probably in the mid-eighties). It is more likely, however, that he wrote much earlier, before the end of Paul’s first Roman imprisonment (ca. A.D. 60–62). That date is the most natural explanation for the abrupt ending of Acts—which leaves Paul awaiting trial before Caesar. Surely Luke, who devoted more than half of Acts to Paul’s ministry, would have given the outcome of that trial, and described Paul’s subsequent ministry, second imprisonment (cf. 2 Tim. 4:11), and death, if those events had happened before he wrote Acts. Luke’s silence about such notable events as the martyrdom of James, head of the Jerusalem church (A.D. 62 according to the Jewish historian Josephus), the persecution under Nero (A.D. 64), and the fall of Jerusalem (A.D. 70) also suggests he wrote Acts before those events transpired.
Background and Setting
As Luke makes clear in the prologue to his gospel, he wrote to give Theophilus (and the others who would read his work) a “narrative of those things” (Luke 1:1) which Jesus had accomplished during His earthly ministry. Accordingly, Luke wrote in his gospel “an orderly account” (Luke 1:3) of those momentous events. Acts continues that record, noting what Jesus accomplished through the early church. Beginning with Jesus’ ascension, through the birth of the church on the Day of Pentecost, to Paul’s preaching at Rome, Acts chronicles the spread of the gospel and the growth of the church (cf. 1:15; 2:41, 47; 4:4; 5:14; 6:7; 9:31; 12:24; 13:49; 16:5; 19:20). It also records the mounting opposition to the gospel (cf. 2:13; 4:1-22; 5:17-42; 6:9-8:4; 12:1-5; 13:6-12, 45-50; 14:2-6, 19, 20; 16:19-24; 17:5-9; 19:23-41; 21:27-36; 23:12-21; 28:24).
Theophilus, whose name means “lover of God,” is unknown to history apart from his mention in Luke and Acts. Whether he was a believer whom Luke was instructing, or a pagan whom Luke sought to convert is not known. Luke’s address of him as “most excellent Theophilus” (Luke 1:3) suggests he was a Roman official of some importance (cf. 24:3; 26:25).
Historical and Theological Themes
As the first work of church history ever penned, Acts records the initial response to the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19, 20). It provides information on the first 3 decades of the church’s existence—material found nowhere else in the NT. Though not primarily a doctrinal work, Acts nonetheless emphasizes that Jesus of Nazareth was Israel’s long-awaited Messiah, shows that the gospel is offered to all men (not merely the Jewish people), and stresses the work of the Holy Spirit (mentioned more than 50 times). Acts also makes frequent use of the OT: e.g., 2:17–21 (Joel 2:28–32); 2:25–28 (Ps. 16:8–11); 2:35 (Ps. 110:1); 4:11 (Ps. 118:22); 4:25, 26 (Ps. 2:1, 2); 7:49, 50 (Is. 66:1, 2); 8:32, 33 (Is. 53:7, 8); 28:26, 27 (Is. 6:9, 10).
Acts abounds with transitions: from the ministry of Jesus to that of the apostles; from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant; from Israel as God’s witness nation to the church (composed of both Jews and Gentiles) as God’s witness people. The book of Hebrews sets forth the theology of the transition from the Old Covenant to the New; Acts depicts the New Covenant’s practical outworking in the life of the church.
Interpretive Challenges
Because Acts is primarily a historical narrative, not a theological treatise like Romans or Hebrews, it contains relatively few interpretive challenges. Those that exist mainly concern the book’s transitional nature (see Historical and Theological Themes) and involve the role of signs and wonders. Those issues are addressed in the notes to the relevant passages (e.g., 2:1-47; 15:1-29).
Outline
Prologue (1:1-8)
I. The Witness to Jerusalem (1:9-8:3)
A. The Anticipation of the Church (1:9-26)
B. The Founding of the Church (2:1-47)
C. The Growth of the Church (3:1-8:3)
1. Apostles: Preaching, healing, and enduring persecution (3:1—5:42)
2. Deacons: Praying, teaching, and enduring persecution (6:1—8:3)
II. The Witness to Judea and Samaria (8:4-12:25)
A. The Gospel to the Samaritans (8:4-25)
B. The Conversion of a Gentile (8:26-40)
C. The Conversion of Saul (9:1-31)
D. The Gospel to Judea (9:32-43)
E. The Gospel to the Gentiles (10:1-11:30)
F. The Persecution by Herod (12:1-25)
III. The Witness to the Ends of the Earth (13:1-28:31)
A. Paul’s First Missionary Journey (13:1-14:28)
B. The Jerusalem Council (15:1-35)
C. Paul’s Second Missionary Journey (15:36-18:22)
D. Paul’s Third Missionary Journey (18:23-21:16)
E. Paul’s Jerusalem and Caesarean Trials (21:17-26:32)
F. Paul’s Journey to Rome (27:1-28:31)
THE ACTS
of the Apostles
Acts 1
Prologue
1The former account I made, O aTheophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
2buntil the day in which 1He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit chad given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen,
3dto whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many 2infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
The Holy Spirit Promised
4eAnd being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have fheard from Me;
5g“for John truly baptized with water, hbut you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
6Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7And He said to them, i“It is not for you to jknow times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.
8k“But you shall receive power lwhen the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and myou shall be 3witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and nSamaria, and to the oend of the earth.”
Jesus Ascends to Heaven
(Mark 16:19, 20; Luke 24:50–53)
9pNow when He had spoken these things, while they watched, qHe was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.
10And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them rin white apparel,
11who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, swill so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”
The Upper Room Prayer Meeting
12tThen they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey.
13And when they had entered, they went up uinto the upper room where they were staying: vPeter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and wSimon the Zealot; and xJudas the son of James.
14yThese all continued with one 4accord in prayer 5and supplication, with zthe women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with aHis brothers.
Matthias Chosen
(cf. Ps. 109:8)
15And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the 6disciples (altogether the number bof names was about a hundred and twenty), and said,
16“Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, cwhich the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, dwho became a guide to those who arrested Jesus;
17“for ehe was numbered with us and obtained a part in fthis ministry.”
18g(Now this man purchased a field with hthe 7wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his 8entrails gushed out.
19And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so that field is called in their own language, Akel Dama, that is, Field of Blood.)
20“For it is written in the Book of Psalms:
i‘Let his dwelling place be 9desolate,
And let no one live in it’;
and,
j‘Let another take his 10office.’ Ministries of the Holy Spirit
21“Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
22“beginning from the baptism of John to that day when kHe was taken up from us, one of these must lbecome a witness with us of His resurrection.”
23And they proposed two: Joseph called mBarsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
24And they prayed and said, “You, O Lord, nwho know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen
25o“to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.”
26And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
Acts 2
Coming of the Holy Spirit
1When athe Day of Pentecost had fully come, bthey were all 1with one accord in one place.
2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and cit filled the whole house where they were sitting.
3Then there appeared to them 2divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.
4And dthey were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began eto speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
The Crowd’s Response
5And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, fdevout men, from every nation under heaven.
6And when this sound occurred, the gmultitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language.
7Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak hGalileans?
8“And how is it that we hear, each in our own 3language in which we were born?
9“Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and iCappadocia, Pontus and Asia,
10“Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,
11“Cretans and 4Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.”
12So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?”
13Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.”
Peter’s Sermon
(Joel 2:28–32)
14But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words.
15“For these are not drunk, as you suppose, jsince it is only 5the third hour of the day.
