Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.

ACTS 3:24KJV
Know the Bible

Acts 3:24 (KJV)

What does Acts 3:24 mean?

Acts 3:24 says that all the prophets, starting with Samuel and those who came after him, spoke about and predicted the days that Peter and his listeners were now experiencing. The verse highlights that the coming of Jesus and the events happening in the early church were not new ideas, but had been foretold by Israel’s prophets long ago.

Peter is speaking to a crowd at the temple after healing a man who could not walk. He is explaining that what they are seeing is part of God’s plan, as described by the prophets in the Hebrew Scriptures. By mentioning Samuel and all the prophets who followed, Peter is showing that the message about Jesus fits into the long story of God’s promises to Israel.

The Greek behind Acts 3:24

  • προφῆται (prophētai, "prophets"): This word refers to those recognized as God’s spokespeople in Israel’s history. Peter’s use of it here connects his message directly to the respected figures of the Jewish faith.
  • ἀφ’ Σαμουὴλ (aph’ Samouēl, "from Samuel"): The Greek phrase means “starting with Samuel,” emphasizing that even early prophets pointed forward to these events, not just the later ones.
  • κατήγγειλαν (katēngeilan, "foretold"): This word means “announced” or “proclaimed beforehand.” It stresses that the prophets did not just hint at, but clearly spoke about the days Peter’s audience was witnessing.

Why Acts 3:24 matters

  • Acts 3:24 clarifies that belief in Jesus is not a break from Israel’s story, but a fulfillment of what the prophets said would happen.
  • The verse helps Peter’s Jewish audience see the continuity between their Scriptures and the message about Jesus, making it easier for them to understand and accept what is happening.
  • By referencing “all the prophets,” Peter is showing that the message about Jesus is not based on a single obscure prophecy, but is woven throughout the Hebrew Scriptures.

Where else these words appear

“Samuel” Greek G4545 · used in 3 verses

  • Acts 13:20 And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.
  • Hebrews 11:32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:

“have” Greek G4293 · used in 4 verses

  • 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.
  • Acts 7:52 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:
  • 2 Corinthians 9:5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.

“after” Greek G2517 · used in 5 verses

  • Luke 1:3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,
  • Luke 8:1 And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him,
  • Acts 11:4 But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying,

“these” Greek G5025 · used in 21 verses

  • Matthew 13:53 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence.
  • Luke 13:14 And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.
  • Acts 11:27 And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.