To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

ACTS 1:3KJV
Know the Bible

Acts 1:3 (KJV)

What does Acts 1:3 mean?

Acts 1:3 says that after Jesus suffered and died, he showed himself alive to his followers over a period of forty days, giving them many convincing signs that he was truly alive and teaching them about God’s kingdom. The verse highlights both the reality of Jesus’ resurrection and the importance of what he taught during this time.

Acts 1:3 is written by Luke, describing what happened after Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. Jesus appeared to his disciples multiple times, not just once, and did so in ways that left no doubt he was truly alive again. During these forty days, Jesus focused on teaching about the kingdom of God, preparing his followers for what would come next.

The Greek behind Acts 1:3

  • "Passion" (πάσχω, paschō): This Greek word means "to suffer" and refers specifically to Jesus’ suffering and death. The verse uses it to point to the events of the crucifixion.
  • "Proofs" (τεκμήριον, tekmērion): This word means clear, unmistakable evidence. The Greek here emphasizes that Jesus’ appearances were not vague or questionable, but solid and convincing.
  • "Seen" (ὀπτάνομαι, optanomai): This word means to be visibly seen or to appear. The use here underlines that Jesus was physically present and visible to his followers, not just imagined or sensed spiritually.
  • "Kingdom" (βασιλεία, basileia): This word means "kingdom" or "reign." Jesus’ teaching during these days focused on God’s rule and what it means for his followers.

Why Acts 1:3 matters

  • Acts 1:3 makes it clear that the resurrection was not a single event but involved many appearances, giving the disciples strong reasons to believe.
  • The verse shows that Jesus’ teaching after his resurrection focused on the kingdom of God, connecting his earlier ministry to what the disciples would soon experience at Pentecost and beyond.
  • By emphasizing "many infallible proofs," Acts 1:3 addresses doubts and reassures readers that the resurrection was a real, historical event witnessed by many.

Where else these words appear

“forty” Greek G5062 · used in 21 verses

  • Matthew 4:2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
  • Acts 7:36 He brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.
  • Hebrews 3:17 But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?

“shewed” Greek G3936 · used in 40 verses

  • Matthew 26:53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
  • Acts 4:10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
  • Romans 6:19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

“passion” Greek G3958 · used in 41 verses

  • Matthew 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
  • Acts 3:18 But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.
  • Hebrews 9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

“seen” Greek G3700 · used in 57 verses

  • Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
  • Luke 22:43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
  • Acts 16:9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.