Acts 3:12 19

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Commentary

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Acts 3:12-19

Acts 3:12 why do you wonder at this – The people think something new has happened that a man has the power to heal. Peter plainly tells them that this is not the case. Acts 3:13 Acts 3:14 But you rejected the Holy and Righteous One – While this text specifically addresses the Peter’s audience, it does not take much imagination to believe that it can be univerally applied. Each of us, in our own ways have done the same. Acts 3:15 you killed the Author of life – Apparently, existance continues even when the One who created life died. whom God raised from the dead – In some mysterious way, the dead God gave life to the dead God. Acts 3:16 his name itself has made this man strong – The unanswerable question is, “Why this man and not another?” Acts 3:17 I know that you acted in ignorance – At one time, you could say that you had never heard about Jesus but now that is no longer the case. Acts 3:18 he had foretold through all the prophets – Luke is neither concerned with individual prophets nor is he concerned with specific proof texts but instead Luke wants to refer to the prophets as a whole (Acts 3:18, 24; 10:43.) or prophecy in general (Acts 3:21; 7:42, 52; Acts 13:27, 40; 15:15; 26:22, 27.)1 Acts 3:19 Repent therefore, and turn to God – The specific benefit of changing your way is that God removes all your sins. Note that this does not address how your life will be from this point on nor does it tell you if sin’s problems will continue to haunt you. 1

Jacob Jervell; James D. G. Dunn, editor, The Theology of the Acts of the Apostles, (The Edinburgh Building, Cambridge, CB2 2RU, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2000), New Testament Theology, p. 65.

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that your sins may be wiped out – This phrasing is rare and it reminds one of Isaiah 43:25.2

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Psalm 4

Psalm 4:1 Answer me when I call – This is the plea of the faithful. Tell me L ORD that you hear me. Psalm 4:2 How long, you people, shall my honour suffer shame? – The psalmist provides us with the L ORD’s reply. You act as if I do not exist. Psalm 4:3 the L ORD has set apart the faithful for himself; the L ORD hears when I call to him. – While the first part of this sentance describes what we call predestination, the second part of the sentance does not logically follow. For example, you might be predestined to have cancer but cancer does not listen to you. Psalm 4:4 When you are disturbed, do not sin – The psalmist tells his listeners to pay attention to what they do. Psalm 4:5 Psalm 4:6 Psalm 4:7 You have put gladness in my heart more than when their grain and wine abound. – Rather than relying on food and wine, the psalmist trusts in the L ORD. Psalm 4:8 for you alone, O L ORD, make me lie down in safety. – Peaceful sleep comes because the L ORD watches over you.

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1 John 3:1-7

1 John 3:1 See what love the Father has given us – Despite what the revisionists want to think, the first person of the Trinity is property called ποταπός. we should be called children of God; and that is what we are – By God’s work and not our own, God has adopted us and made us His children. 2

Luke Timothy Johnson; Daniel J. Harrington, S.J., editor, The Acts of the Apostles, Volume 5, Sacra Pagina, (Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 1992), p. 69.

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1 John 3:2 we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed – Even though we are memebers of God’s family, the transformation has not yet been completed. we will be like him – Belief in the Lord’s return, they taught, should produce purity in life (1 John 3:1-3), forbearance and patience toward brethren (Rom. 14:10), comfort in sorrow (1 Thess. 4:13-18), urgency in service (1 Cor. 3:10-14; 2 Cor. 5:10), and vitality or vibrancy in worship (Rev. 19:1-5).3 1 John 3:3 all who have this hope in him purify themselves – This is our work, to make our selves clean before God. Obviously this does not make us acceptible to God, that is a gift that God gave us. 1 John 3:4 sin is lawlessness – There is a one to one relationship between living within the law and being pure. Those who do not have sinned. 1 John 3:5 he was revealed to take away sins – One of the ways that Jesus makes us whole is to remove the stain of sins. Perhaps this verse is the reason why the Revised Common Lectionary pairs this text with the one from Acts. 1 John 3:6 No one who abides in him sins – Living outside of the Law is antithetical to being with Jesus. However, this text does not imply that we stop sinning in this life (see verse 1 John 3:3). We are in the midst of a process that trains ourself from sinning so that we become more like Christ. 1 John 3:7 Everyone who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. – The correct way of life is living like Jesus.

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Luke 24:36b-48

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Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, 16 but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you 3

David J. MacLeod, ‘Heaven’s Hallelujah Chorus: An Introduction To The Seven ”Last Things” (Rev. 19:1-10)’, Bibliotheca Sacra, January-March (1999):156, p. 72.

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walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” 19 He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. 22 Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, 23 and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.” 25 Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! 26 Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” 27 Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures. 28As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. 29 But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” 33 That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. 34 They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread. 36While they were talking about this, Luke 24:36b Peace be with you. – The Greek reads “Peace to you (plural)” (εἰρήνη ὑμῖν). This give is for everyone and not just to a single person. Normally when a sentence is missing a verb as in this one, the indicative4 form of “to be” is used as in “Peace is with you.”5 Instead, the translators 4

This verb form expresses a simple statement that is a fact. Brian P. Stoffregen, 2nd Sunday of Easter - Years ABC John 20.19-31, http://www. crossmarks.com/brian/john20x19e2.htm. 5

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of the NRSV used the subjunctive6 and had Jesus say, “Peace be with you.” The implied but mising word in this translation found in the NRSV is “May peace be with you.”7 When combining the indicative with a dative found in ὑμῖν, this can also be translated as “Peace is to you” or “Peace is yours.”8 Luke 24:37 startled and terrified – The Greek reads πτοηθέντες δὲ καὶ ἔμφοβοι. Πτοέομαι is what the author of Luke uses for the terror found in war (Luke 21:9).9 In the LXX, a form of this word is used in the appearance of God at Mt. Sinai (Exodus 19:16) and how the people of Ai feel about the devastation brought by Joshuah (Joshuah 7:5).10 The use of πτοέομαι reminds us of the fear the women felt at the tomb since the same term was used by the author.11 Luke 24:38 Why are you frightened – The only other time that the author of Luke uses the verb ταράσσω in this book is when the angel Gabriel appears to Zechariah.12 why do doubts arise in your hearts – The Greek has διὰ τί διαλογισμοὶ ἀναβαίνουσιν ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ ὑμῶν (Why do thoughts arise in your hearts? (KJV)). The use of “doubts” is from the context.13 This is not an emotional response since the καρδία is the “center of consciousness” (Also see Luke 24:25).14 The ability to read thoughts is a function of Simeon’s prophecy in Luke 2:35 (that thoughts (διαλογισμοί) out of many hearts may be revealed (RSV)). Luke 24:39 Look at my hands and my feet – Even though the author of Luke never mentions the use of nails nor that Jesus was nailed to the cross, this command by Jesus shows the disciples the marks of death. 6

The verbs in this mood express what is imagined, or wished for, or what might be possible. In other words, the subjunctive is used in situations that are hypothetical or that have not yet occurred. In English this form is rare since we normally use the verbs might, could, and should. 7 Stoffregen, ‘2nd Sunday of Easter - Years ABC John 20.19-31’. 8 Ibid. 9 Luke Timothy Johnson; Daniel J. Harrington, S.J., editor, The Gospel of Luke, Volume 3, Sacra Pagina, (The Liturgical Press, Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 1991), p. 401. 10 Ibid. 11 Ibid. 12 Ibid. 13 Ibid. 14 Ibid.

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see that it is I myself – This is really the same person that the disciples knew before. Touch me and see – The verb ψηλαφάω can either mean to closely look at something or to actually touch it (for example Isaiah 59:10 or in the LXX see Genesis 27:12, 21-22).15 flesh and bones – This is based on “bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh” (Genesis 2:23).16 The use of this phrase also indicates the sharing of a common relationship (2 Samuel 5:1, 19:12-13; 1 Chronicles 11:1).17 Luke 24:40 Luke 24:41 While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering – The NSRV “puts together the two participles that in Greek are separated by the prepositional phrase ”from joy”” (ἀπὸ τῆς χαρᾶς).18 The lack of belief might be due to the experience that they disciples are having. It could also be that both “fact” and “experience” cannot be correctly interpreted without the Word of God.19 Luke 24:42 a piece of broiled fish – This recalls the feeding of the multitude in Luke 9:16. Luke 24:43 Luke 24:44 These are my words that I spoke to you – This should be understood as “This is the meaning of my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you.”20 while I was still with you – Something has changed. Jesus is here with the disciples but in some important way it is not the same. that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled. – Jesus tells us that he himself is the fulfillment of Tenak (Law of Moses, the Prophets, and Writings (Psalms)). 15

Johnson, Luke, p. 401. Ibid. 17 Ibid. 18 Ibid., p. 402. 19 Ibid. 20 Ibid.

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Luke 24:45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures – The Greek reads τότε διήνοιξεν αὐτῶν τὸν νοῦν τοῦ συνιέναι τὰς γραφάς (Then opened He the understanding of Scriptures to them). This verse does not support of understanding the that heart is the center of emotions. Luke 24:46 Thus it is written – Jesus explains the Scriptures are prophecies about Him. Luke 24:47 that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations – Jesus now makes a prophecy. The disciples will go to everywhere and forgive sins. beginning from Jerusalem – The work starts in Jerusalem. Luke 24:48 You are witnesses of these things. – The Greek reads ὑμεῖς μάρτυρες τούτων (All of you are martyrs/witnesses of these things.).

References Jervell, Jacob; Dunn, James D. G., editor, The Theology of the Acts of the Apostles, (The Edinburgh Building, Cambridge, CB2 2RU, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2000), New Testament Theology. Johnson, Luke Timothy; Harrington, S.J., Daniel J., editor, The Gospel of Luke, Volume 3, Sacra Pagina, (The Liturgical Press, Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 1991). Johnson, Luke Timothy; Harrington, S.J., Daniel J., editor, The Acts of the Apostles, Volume 5, Sacra Pagina, (Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 1992). MacLeod, David J., ‘Heaven’s Hallelujah Chorus: An Introduction To The Seven ”Last Things” (Rev. 19:1-10)’, Bibliotheca Sacra, January-March (1999):156, pp. 72 – 84, This is article one in an eight-part series, ”Expositional Studies of the Seven Last Things in the Book of Revelation.”. Stoffregen, Brian P., 2nd Sunday of Easter - Years ABC John 20.19-31, http: //www.crossmarks.com/brian/john20x19e2.htm.

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