Acts 10:40 (KJV)

What does Acts 10:40 mean?

Acts 10:40 says that God raised Jesus from the dead on the third day and made him visible to others. The verse highlights that Jesus’ resurrection was an act of God and that it was not hidden, but shown openly.

Peter is speaking to Cornelius and his household, explaining the core message about Jesus. Peter emphasizes that the resurrection was a real, public event, not a secret or private claim. This statement is part of Peter’s effort to show that Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection were witnessed and confirmed by many.

The Greek behind Acts 10:40

• ἀνέστησεν (anestēsen, "raised up"): This word means to cause to rise or to bring back to life. The Greek here stresses that God is the one who actively brought Jesus back from the dead.
• ἐνέδειξεν (enedēixen, "shewed him openly"): This word means to show, display, or make visible. The Greek phrase here carries the sense that Jesus was made clearly visible, not just to a select few, but in a way that could be confirmed by witnesses.
• ἐν τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ (en tē tritē hēmera, "the third day"): This phrase marks the specific timing, connecting the resurrection to the timeline Jesus himself predicted.

Why Acts 10:40 matters

• Acts 10:40 clarifies that Jesus’ resurrection was not just a spiritual idea but a physical event witnessed by real people, which was important for the early Christian message.
• The verse emphasizes that God was the one who raised Jesus, underlining divine approval and power, not just human claims.
• By mentioning that Jesus was shown openly, Peter is addressing both Jews and Gentiles, making it clear that the resurrection is a public truth, not a secret reserved for a select group.