But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

ACTS 1:8KJV
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Acts 1:8 (KJV)

What does Acts 1:8 mean?

Acts 1:8 describes Jesus telling his followers that they will receive power when the Holy Ghost comes upon them, and that they will become his witnesses starting in Jerusalem, then spreading out to all Judea, Samaria, and even to the farthest parts of the earth. This verse sets out both the promise of spiritual empowerment and the worldwide scope of their mission.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking to his disciples after his resurrection but before he ascends to heaven. He assures them that they will not be left alone; instead, the Holy Ghost will come to them, giving them the ability and boldness to testify about him. The verse outlines a pattern: their witness will begin locally in Jerusalem, move outward to surrounding regions, and eventually reach people everywhere.

The Greek behind Acts 1:8

  • The word translated "power" is δύναμις (dynamis), which often means strength, ability, or miraculous power. Here, it highlights that the disciples will receive real ability from God, not just encouragement or authority.
  • "Witnesses" comes from μάρτυρες (martures), which means someone who testifies to what they have seen or know. This word later came to mean someone who suffers or dies for their testimony, but here it mainly means someone who tells others what they know about Jesus.
  • The phrase "unto the uttermost part of the earth" uses ἔσχατον (eschaton) for "uttermost," meaning the farthest or most remote. This shows the global vision Jesus gives his followers, not just a local or regional one.

Why Acts 1:8 matters

  • Acts 1:8 clarifies that the ability to witness about Jesus comes from the Holy Ghost, not from personal strength or skill, which helps correct the idea that the disciples were to rely on themselves.
  • This verse sets the structure for the entire book of Acts, showing how the message about Jesus spreads outward in ever-widening circles, just as Jesus describes here.
  • The verse emphasizes that the mission of Jesus' followers is not limited by geography or culture; it is meant for all people, everywhere.

Where else these words appear

“come” Greek G1904 · used in 10 verses

  • Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
  • Luke 21:35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
  • Acts 14:19 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.

“Samaria” Greek G4540 · used in 11 verses

  • Luke 17:11 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.
  • John 4:7 There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.
  • Acts 8:9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:

“witnesses” Greek G3144 · used in 34 verses

  • Matthew 18:16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
  • Acts 10:41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.
  • 1 Timothy 5:19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.

“Judaea” Greek G2449 · used in 44 verses

  • Matthew 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
  • Luke 2:4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem;(because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
  • Acts 2:9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,