And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:

ACTS 10:39KJV
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Acts 10:39 (KJV)

What does Acts 10:39 mean?

Acts 10:39 means that the apostles personally saw everything Jesus did among the Jewish people and in Jerusalem, and they testify that he was killed by being hung on a tree. This verse highlights the role of the apostles as eyewitnesses to both Jesus’s ministry and his death.

Peter is speaking to Cornelius and his household, explaining the story of Jesus to Gentiles who are hearing it for the first time. Peter stresses that he and the other apostles did not hear these things secondhand—they were present for Jesus’s actions and for his crucifixion, which he describes as being “hanged on a tree,” a phrase that echoes the shameful and public nature of Jesus’s death.

Where else these words appear

“hanged” Greek G2910 · used in 7 verses

  • Matthew 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
  • Luke 23:39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
  • Acts 28:4 And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.

“tree” Greek G3586 · used in 17 verses

  • Matthew 26:47 And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.
  • Luke 23:31 For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?
  • Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

“slew” Greek G337 · used in 22 verses

  • Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
  • Acts 7:28 Wilt thou kill me, as thou diddest the Egyptian yesterday?
  • Acts 22:20 And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.

“land” Greek G5561 · used in 27 verses

  • Matthew 2:12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
  • Luke 8:26 And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee.
  • John 11:55 And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves.