Acts 3:26 Meaning: Raised to Bless by Turning from Sin

The verb 'raised up' translates anistēmi, a word that can mean to cause someone to stand, to bring onto the scene, or to raise from the dead. Which meaning does Peter intend? Earlier in the same speech he said 'God raised him from the dead' (Acts 3:15) using a different word. Here he echoes the promise in verse 22 about a prophet God would raise up. So most likely he means God appointed and sent Jesus, not that He resurrected Him. That is why Peter calls Jesus 'His Servant' (pais), the familiar title for God's chosen servant who carries out His will. And the purpose of this sending is blessing. The Greek has a present participle, eulogounta, 'blessing you', as if Jesus comes laden with blessing, actively bestowing it even now. The blessing itself is described in the next phrase: by turning each of you from your wickednesses. The word for turning away, apostrephō, means to cause a complete reversal of direction. And ponēriai (wickednesses) is a strong plural, not a single bad habit but the whole tangle of evil that marks human life apart from God. So the raising up of Jesus is God's act to redirect us entirely.

Christians across traditions have read this verse as the heart of Peter's message. Reformed commentators like Calvin emphasize that Christ is the only fountain of blessing, and that this blessing comes to us when our unbelief does not hinder it. Anglican scholars (Cambridge Bible) note that 'raised up' refers to the promise of a prophet like Moses, not to the resurrection. Methodist writers (Clarke) stress that the salvation promised is a salvation from sin, not from political oppression. Baptist expositor Gill sees the raising up as possibly including the incarnation and the resurrection, both ways God sent Jesus. All traditions agree: the great blessing Jesus brings is turning people from their sins.

Many readers assume 'having raised up' refers to Jesus' resurrection. In fact, the same verb appears in verse 22, where God says He will 'raise up a prophet', clearly meaning raise up in the sense of appointing and sending. Peter is quoting that promise. He has already spoken of the resurrection separately in verse 15. Here he focuses on Jesus' mission as the prophet like Moses, sent first to Israel to bless them by turning them from sin.

What would it look like this week to let Jesus turn you from your wickedness, not just feel sorry, but actually reverse direction? Think of one specific thought, habit, or word that you know belongs to the old way. That is the very thing Jesus was sent to address. You don't have to turn yourself. The verse says He does the turning. You can ask Him: 'Turn me from this.' And as He does, you will discover that His blessing is not just relief from guilt but a new freedom. You are not only turned away from sin but turned toward the life God designed for you.