Acts 13:38 · Bible study
Acts 13:38 Commentary: Remission of Sins Through This Man
Greek · 9 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Paul proclaims that forgiveness of sins comes exclusively through the resurrected Jesus, contrasting the Law of Moses which cannot justify.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Paul declares that forgiveness of sins is publicly announced through the resurrected Jesus, not earned through the law.
- Key words: aphesis (forgiveness, release), katangelletai (is proclaimed), dia toutou (through this one).
- Main debate: The verse itself is not disputed; the surrounding context raises questions about the relationship between law and gospel.
- Theological theme: Justification by grace through faith, the exclusive role of Christ in salvation, the public character of gospel proclamation.
- Best use: Evangelistic preaching, teaching on the nature of forgiveness, contrasting law and grace.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
Therefore let it be known to you, brothers, that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.
WEB World English Bible 2000
Be it known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man is proclaimed to you remission of sins;
KJV King James Version 1769
Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:
ASV American Standard Version 1901
Be it known unto you therefore, brethren, that through this man is proclaimed unto you remission of sins:
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
`Let it therefore be known to you, men, brethren, that through this one to you is the forgiveness of sins declared,
Darby Darby Bible 1890
Be it known unto you, therefore, brethren, that through this man remission of sins is preached to you,
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
Be it known therefore to you, men, brethren, that through him forgiveness of sins is preached to you: and from all the things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Séaos pues notorio, varones hermanos, que por éste os es anunciada remisión de pecados;
Seja-vos pois conhecido, homens irmãos, que por este vos é anunciado o perdão dos pecados.
Sachez donc, hommes frères, que c’ est par lui que le pardon des péchés vous est annoncé,
So sei es nun euch kund, liebe Brüder, daß euch verkündigt wird Vergebung der Sünden durch diesen und von dem allem, wovon ihr nicht konntet im Gesetz Mose' s gerecht werden.
Zo zij u dan bekend, mannen broeders, dat door Dezen u vergeving der zonden verkondigd wordt;
Siavi dunque noto, fratelli, che per mezzo di lui v’è annunziata la remissione dei peccati;
Niechże wam tedy będzie wiadomo, mężowie bracia, iż się wam przez tego opowiada odpuszczenie grzechów:
Итак, да будет известно вам, мужи братия, что ради Него возвещается вам прощение грехов;
所以，弟兄們，你們 當 曉得： 赦 罪 的道是由 這人 傳 給你們的。
And so, let it be clear to you, my brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is offered to you:
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · Acts 13:38
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree this verse stands as the climax of Paul's sermon in Pisidian Antioch: forgiveness of sins is now publicly announced through the resurrected Messiah. Calvin calls it 'the principal point' of the sermon, the hinge on which everything else turns. Clarke notes that Paul's argument builds from fulfilled prophecy and the resurrection to this conclusion: remission, the removal of sin's power, guilt and pollution, comes through this one man alone. Barnes underscores the connection: because Jesus rose from the dead he is proven to be the Messiah, and therefore the blessings of his death, starting with forgiveness, are now available. Gill adds that the law of Moses could never guarantee forgiveness; only the blood of Christ secures it. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown call forgiveness 'the first necessity of the sinner, and so the first experienced blessing of the Gospel.' The phrase 'through this man' appears three times in the Greek demonstrative toutou, pointing directly to the risen Jesus. The verb katangelletai ('is proclaimed') is a passive present indicative, stressing that this announcement is not a human invention but a divine message delivered through the apostles.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: Forgiveness of sins is proclaimed through Jesus Christ, the resurrected Messiah, and is available to all who believe—a truth not disputed across Christian traditions.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Forgiveness through Christ alone | All Christians affirm that forgiveness of sins is a gift from God made possible through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. | Catholic and Orthodox traditions see this forgiveness as normally mediated through sacraments (baptism, penance), while many Protestant traditions emphasize the preached Word as the means by which forgiveness is received through faith. |
| Role of the Law of Moses | The law cannot justify a person before God; it shows sin but does not remove its guilt. | Traditions differ on whether the moral law remains a guide for Christian life (third use of the law) or whether it has been fully superseded by Christ's teaching and the Spirit. |
| Meaning of remission (aphesis) | Aphesis means release, pardon, letting go of sins so they are no longer held against the sinner. | Some traditions emphasize the objective legal declaration of forgiveness; others focus on the subjective experience of release from guilt and sin's power. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Paul and Barnabas arrive in Pisidian Antioch after leaving Perga, entering the synagogue on the Sabbath (Acts 13:14, 15). Following the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue leaders invite them to speak. Paul stands and gives a sweeping review of Israel's history, from the exodus through the judges, the monarchy, and David, showing that Jesus is the promised descendant of David whom God has raised from the dead (vv. 16, 37). The resurrection, he argues, proves that Jesus is the Holy One who saw no decay, unlike David who died and was buried (vv. 34, 37).
With this foundation, Paul now draws his conclusion in v. 38. The connective oun ('therefore') signals an inference: because God raised Jesus and he has fulfilled Davidic promises, forgiveness of sins is now proclaimed through this resurrected man. The audience includes both Jews and 'God-fearers' (v. 16), people who respected the God of Israel but were not full proselytes. Many in the synagogue would have believed that the law of Moses, with its sacrifices and repentance, was the way to receive forgiveness. Paul directly challenges this assumption in the next verse (v. 39), where he says that everyone who believes is justified from things from which the law of Moses could not justify. The law could diagnose sin but could not remove its guilt. That is why Paul calls his hearers to 'know' this new reality, the verb gnōston (known) forms an imperative with estō ('let it be'), putting the full weight of the apostle's authority behind the announcement. This proclamation is not an opinion; it is a public fact grounded in the resurrection.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for Acts 13:38. The Greek text is stable across the major manuscript families. Some later manuscripts add explicit references to Jesus, but the demonstrative 'this one' is well attested and carries the same meaning.
Reception History
From the early church onward, Acts 13:38 has been treasured as a central summary of the gospel's good news. The clear statement that forgiveness is proclaimed 'through this man' became a foundational text for the Protestant Reformers, who used it to argue that salvation is by grace alone, not by works of the law. In the Reformation era, this verse was frequently cited in debates about the nature of justification. Even earlier, the fathers like Chrysostom highlighted Paul's rhetorical strategy, building a historical case culminating in the announcement of forgiveness. In modern times, the verse continues to be a key text in evangelistic preaching and in lectionary readings during Eastertide, underscoring that the risen Christ is the sole source of pardon.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The Resurrection Proves Jesus Is the Messiah. Paul spends most of his sermon showing that the Scriptures pointed to a suffering and rising Messiah. Because Jesus rose, he is the one through whom God's covenant promises are fulfilled.
- Forgiveness of Sins Is the First Benefit of Christ's Work. Paul declares that through this man forgiveness (aphesis, release) is proclaimed. This matches what Jesus himself said: the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth (Mark 2:10).
- The Law Cannot Provide What Christ Offers. While the law reveals sin and even condemns, it cannot justify or remove guilt. Only through Christ is full remission announced, a gift received by faith, not works.
Five-point outline
- Grounding in History: Paul anchors the gospel in Israel's story, showing God's plan from the patriarchs to David to Jesus.
- The Pivotal Resurrection: Jesus saw no decay; his resurrection is the proof that he is the promised Holy One.
- The Exclusive Channel: 'Through this man', not through Moses, not through human effort, forgiveness is declared.
- The Content of the Proclamation: Forgiveness of sins is the first gift the gospel announces, the base on which all other blessings rest.
- The Contrast with the Law: Verse 39 makes explicit what v. 38 implies: the law cannot justify, but Christ can.
Illustration hooks
- A person who has struggled to earn forgiveness through religious effort, prayers, good deeds, penance, hears that it is simply proclaimed through Christ. The relief is like a prisoner being told the debt is paid, not earned.
- A doctor diagnoses a disease but cannot cure it. The law is the diagnosis; Christ is the cure.
- Think of a legal document that pronounces a debt 'forgiven' when a payment is made by someone else. The proclamation is the public announcement that the payment has been accepted.
Questions your congregation is asking
- How do I know that my sins are actually forgiven? Is it enough that I hear it proclaimed?
- If forgiveness is through Christ alone, what role does my repentance and obedience play?
- Does this mean the Old Testament law has no value for Christians today?
Leading a Discussion
Acts 13:38 is the decisive announcement in Paul's first recorded sermon. After tracing God's history with Israel and proving Jesus' resurrection, Paul draws the conclusion: forgiveness of sins is proclaimed through this risen man. This passage challenges every form of self-salvation and calls us to receive a gift that can only be announced, not achieved. As you discuss, notice how the resurrection underlies the message, and how the law's inability to justify sets the stage for grace.
Discussion questions
- Why does Paul begin his sermon with a long review of Israel's history? How does that prepare his hearers for the claim in v. 38?
- What does the word 'therefore' in v. 38 connect to? What has Paul just argued about Jesus' resurrection and David's decay?
- The Greek word for forgiveness, aphesis, means 'release' or 'letting go.' What does this tell you about what forgiveness actually does?
- How is 'proclamation' different from 'suggestion' or 'offer'? Why does Paul speak with such authority?
- Read verse 39. How does Paul contrast what the law of Moses can do with what Christ does?
- If forgiveness is already announced through Christ, what does that mean for people who feel they must earn God's forgiveness by being good enough?
- How does the reality of Jesus' resurrection give you confidence that your sins are truly forgiven?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Psalms 32:1 | By David. A contemplative psalm. Blessed is he whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is covered. |
| Psalms 130:4 | But there is forgiveness with you, therefore you are feared. |
| Psalms 130:7 | Israel, hope in Yahweh, for there is loving kindness with Yahweh. Abundant redemption is with him. |
| Jeremiah 31:34 | They will no longer each teach his neighbor, and every man teach his brother, saying, ‘Know Yahweh;’ for they will all know me, from their least to their greatest,” says Yahweh, “for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” |
| Ezekiel 36:32 | I don’t do this for your sake,” says the Lord Yahweh. “Let it be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your ways, house of Israel.” |
| Daniel 3:18 | But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up.” |
| Daniel 9:24 | “Seventy weeks are decreed on your people and on your holy city, to finish disobedience, to make an end of sins, to make reconciliation for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy. |
| Micah 7:18 | Who is a God like you, who pardons iniquity, and passes over the disobedience of the remnant of his heritage? He doesn’t retain his anger forever, because he delights in loving kindness. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
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What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke argues that David died and saw corruption, but Jesus rose without it, proving the promised "seed" must bring a spiritual kingdom, not a political one. Therefore, forgiveness of sins comes only through this crucified and risen Jesus.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes observes that Paul shifts from proving the resurrection to declaring the practical benefits that come from Christ's death. The benefit is not abstract but personal: it comes "through this man," Jesus, who is both the resurrected Messiah and the one through whom forgiveness is granted.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin stresses that Paul announced forgiveness of sins plainly to everyone, so that only laziness could keep anyone from understanding it. Forgiveness is the first and essential gift: through it alone God reconciles enemies to Himself, and it comes only through Christ the Mediator, because no pardon exists apart from Him.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentary draws a parallel between Jesus' miracles, which He used to demonstrate His authority to forgive sins, and the Apostles' preaching about the Resurrection. Just as those miracles were signs pointing to His power, the Resurrection becomes the foundation for the apostolic message of forgiveness.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva note underscores that forgiveness of sins is not a general concept but is specifically preached through Jesus Christ, this man. It emphasizes that the offer of pardon is a direct proclamation to the hearers, made known through Christ alone.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill stresses that forgiveness of sins is preached only through Christ, not through natural law, the law of Moses, repentance, or even God's bare mercy. He also warns that calling Christ "this man" does not mean he is mere man; only because he is God does his blood have power to remove sin.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB notes that forgiveness is both the sinner's primary necessity and the first blessing the Gospel imparts. This dual emphasis presents forgiveness as the foundational experience, the logical and experiential starting point from which all other spiritual blessings follow.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange defends this discourse as genuinely Pauline, not a borrowed echo of Stephen or Peter. He points to Paul’s distinctive emphasis on God’s free election, the Davidic typology, and the first public statement of justification by faith alone, separate from the law.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry observes how Paul builds his sermon on a deliberate recital of Israel's history, showing that every event from the patriarchs through the judges and kings was God's patient preparation for sending Jesus as the promised Savior. Even the rejection of Christ by Jerusalem's rulers, Paul argues, fulfilled the very prophets they heard read every Sabbath.