SEV Biblia, Chapter 1:8
mas recibiris la virtud del Espíritu Santo que vendr sobre vosotros; y me seris testigos en Jerusaln, y en toda Judea, y Samaria, y hasta lo ltimo de la tierra.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Acts 1:8
Verse 8. But ye shall receive power] lhyesqe dunamin. Translating different terms of the original by the same English word is a source of misapprehension and error. We must not understand dunamiv which we translate power in this verse, as we do exousia, translated by the same word in the preceding verse. In the one, God's infinite authority over all times and seasons, and his uncompellable liberty of acting or not acting in any given case, are particularly pointed out: in the other, the energy communicated by him to his disciples, through which they were enabled to work miracles, is particularly intended; and dunamiv, in general, signifies such power, and is sometimes put for that of which it is the cause, viz. a miracle. See Matt. vii. 22; xi. 20- 23; Matt. xiii. 54, 58; Mark vi. 5; Luke x. 13; and chap. ii. 22. The disciples were to be made instruments in the establishment of the kingdom of Christ; but this must be by the energy of the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; nevertheless, this energy would be given in such times and seasons, and in such measures, as should appear best to the infinite wisdom of God. Christ does not immediately answer the question of the disciples, as it was a point savouring too much of mere curiosity; but he gave them such information as was calculated to bring both their faith and hope into action. St. Chrysostom has well observed, "that it is the prerogative of an instructer to teach his disciple, not what he wishes to learn, but what his master sees best for him:" didaskalou touto esti mh a bouletai o maqhthv, all a sumferei maqein, didaskein. Ye shall be witnesses-in all Judea, &c.] Though the word earth, h gh, is often used to denote Judea alone, yet here, it is probable, it is to be taken in its largest extent. All the inhabitants of the globe might at that period be considered divisible into three classes. 1. The JEWS, who adhered to the law of Moses, and the prophetic writings, worshipping the true God only, and keeping up the temple service, as prescribed in their law. 2. The SAMARITANS, a mongrel people, who worshipped the God of Israel in connection with other gods, 2 Kings xvii. 5, &c., and who had no kind of religious connection with the Jews. See on Matt. x. 5. And, 3. The GENTILES, the heathens through all other parts of the world, who were addicted to idolatry alone, and had no knowledge of the true God. By the terms in the text we may see the extent to which this commission of instruction and salvation was designed to reach: to the Jews; to the Samaritans, and the uttermost part of the earth, i.e. to the Gentile nations, thus, to the whole human race the Gospel of the kingdom was to be proclaimed. When the twelve disciples were sent out to preach, Matt. x. 5, their commission was very limited-they were not to go in the way of the Gentiles, nor enter into any city of the Samaritans, but preach the Gospel to the lost sheep of the house of Israel: but here their commission is enlarged, for they are to go into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature. See Matt. xxviii. 18.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 8. But ye shall receive power , etc.] From on high, with which they were to be endured, ( Luke 24:49) meaning the power of the Holy Ghost, strength from him to preach the Gospel, and work miracles in confirmation of it, and courage and greatness of mind, amidst all reproaches and persecutions, to face and oppose their enemies, profess the name of Christ, abide by his truths and ordinances, make their way through all opposition and difficulties, and spread the Gospel all over the world; for intend of enjoying worldly ease, honour, wealth, and riches, they were looking for, our Lord gives them to understand that they must expect labour, service, afflictions, and trials, which would require power and strength, and which they should have: after that the Holy Ghost shall come upon you ; from above, from heaven, as he did, and sat upon them in the form of cloven tongues, and of fire; upon which they were filled with knowledge and zeal, with strength and courage, and with all gifts and abilities necessary for their work: and ye shall be witnesses unto me ; of the person of Christ, of his deity and sonship, of his incarnation, his ministry, and his miracles, of his suffering and death, of his resurrection from the dead, and his ascension to heaven.
This was to be their work, and what belong to them, and not to enquire about a temporal kingdom, and the setting up of that, and the times and seasons of it; their business was to testify of the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that followed, and to preach a crucified Jesus, as the only Saviour of lost sinners: and this both in Jerusalem , the metropolis of the nation, and there, in the first place, where such dwelt who had been concerned in the crucifixion of Christ, many of whom were to be called by grace, and converted through their ministry: and in all Judea ; that part of the land of Israel which was distinct from Samaria and Galilee, and from beyond Jordan; where churches were to be planted, as afterwards they were; (see Acts 9:31). And in Samaria ; where Christ had before forbid his disciples to go; but now their commission is enlarged, and they are sent there; and here Philip went upon the persecution raised against the church at Jerusalem, and preached Christ with great success, to the conversion of many; and hither Peter and John went to lay their hands on them, and confirm them; (see Acts 8:5,14) and unto the uttermost part of the earth ; throughout the whole world, whither the sound of the apostles, and their words went, ( Romans 10:18).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 6-11 - They were earnest in asking about that which their Master never ha directed or encouraged them to seek. Our Lord knew that his ascensio and the teaching of the Holy Spirit would soon end these expectations and therefore only gave them a rebuke; but it is a caution to his church in all ages, to take heed of a desire of forbidden knowledge. He had given his disciples instructions for the discharge of their duty both before his death and since his resurrection, and this knowledge is enough for a Christian. It is enough that He has engaged to giv believers strength equal to their trials and services; that under the influence of the Holy Spirit they may, in one way or other, by witnesses for Christ on earth, while in heaven he manages their concerns with perfect wisdom, truth, and love. When we stand gazing an trifling, the thoughts of our Master's second coming should quicken an awaken us: when we stand gazing and trembling, they should comfort an encourage us. May our expectation of it be stedfast and joyful, giving diligence to be found of him blameless.
Greek Textus Receptus
αλλα 235 CONJ ληψεσθε 2983 5695 V-FDI-2P δυναμιν 1411 N-ASF επελθοντος 1904 5631 V-2AAP-GSN του 3588 T-GSN αγιου 40 A-GSN πνευματος 4151 N-GSN εφ 1909 PREP υμας 5209 P-2AP και 2532 CONJ εσεσθε 2071 5704 V-FXI-2P μοι 3427 P-1DS μαρτυρες 3144 N-NPM εν 1722 PREP τε 5037 PRT ιερουσαλημ 2419 N-PRI και 2532 CONJ εν 1722 PREP παση 3956 A-DSF τη 3588 T-DSF ιουδαια 2449 N-DSF και 2532 CONJ σαμαρεια 4540 N-DSF και 2532 CONJ εως 2193 CONJ εσχατου 2078 A-GSM της 3588 T-GSF γης 1093 N-GSF
Vincent's NT Word Studies
8. Unto me (moi). The best texts read mou, of me; or, as Rev., my witnesses.Samaria. Formerly they had been commanded not to enter the cities of the Samaritans (Matt. x. 5).
Robertson's NT Word Studies
1:8 {Power} (dunamin). Not the "power" about which they were concerned (political organization and equipments for empire on the order of Rome). Their very question was ample proof of their need of this new "power" (dunamin), to enable them (from dunamai, to be able), to grapple with the spread of the gospel in the world. {When the Holy Ghost is come upon you} (epelqontos tou hagiou pneumatos ef' humas). Genitive absolute and is simultaneous in time with the preceding verb "shall receive" (lemyesqe). The Holy Spirit will give them the "power" as he comes upon them. this is the baptism of the Holy Spirit referred to in verse #5. {My witnesses} (mou martures). Correct text. "Royal words of magnificent and Divine assurance" (Furneaux). Our word martyrs is this word martures. In #Lu 24:48 Jesus calls the disciples "witnesses to these things" (martures toutwn, objective genitive). In #Ac 1:22 an apostle has to be a "witness to the Resurrection" of Christ and in #10:39 to the life and work of Jesus. Hence there could be no "apostles" in this sense after the first generation. But here the apostles are called "my witnesses."His by a direct personal relationship" (Knowling). The expanding sphere of their witness when the Holy Spirit comes upon them is "unto the uttermost part of the earth" (hews escatou tes ges). Once they had been commanded to avoid Samaria (#Mt 10:5), but now it is included in the world program as already outlined on the mountain in Galilee (#Mt 28:19; Mr 16:15). Jesus is on Olivet as he points to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, the uttermost (last, eschatou) part of the earth. The program still beckons us on to world conquest for Christ. "The Acts themselves form the best commentary on these words, and the words themselves might be given as the best summary of the Acts" (Page). The events follow this outline (Jerusalem till the end of chapter 7, with the martyrdom of Stephen, the scattering of the saints through Judea and Samaria in chapter 8, the conversion of Saul, chapter 9, the spread of the gospel to Romans in Caesarea by Peter (chapter 10), to Greeks in Antioch (chapter 11), finally Paul's world tours and arrest and arrival in Rome (chapters 11 to 28).
