Him has God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
hath.
Acts 2:33,36 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear…
Acts 4:11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
Psalm 89:19,24 Then thou spakest in vision to thy holy one, and saidst, I have laid help upon one that is mighty; I have exalted one chosen out of the people…
a Prince.
Acts 3:15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
Psalm 2:6-12 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion…
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
a Saviour.
Acts 13:23 Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:
Isaiah 43:3,11 For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee…
Isaiah 45:21 Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.
to give.
Acts 3:26 Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.
Acts 11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
Jeremiah 31:31-33 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: …
forgiveness.
Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
Acts 13:38,39 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: …
Mark 2:10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)
as Prince and Savior
The term "Prince" (Greek: "archēgos") can also be translated as "leader" or "author," indicating Jesus as the originator and guide of salvation (Hebrews 2:10). "Savior" highlights His role in delivering humanity from sin, a central theme in Christian theology. This dual title underscores Jesus' authority and His mission to bring salvation, aligning with Old Testament expectations of a messianic figure who would lead and save (Isaiah 9:6). The combination of these titles affirms Jesus' unique role in God's redemptive plan.
in order to grant repentance and forgiveness of sins
This phrase outlines the purpose of Jesus' exaltation. Repentance and forgiveness are core components of the gospel message. Repentance involves a change of mind and heart, turning away from sin and towards God (Luke 24:47). Forgiveness of sins is a key aspect of the New Covenant, prophesied in Jeremiah 31:34, where God promises to remember sins no more. This reflects the transformative power of Jesus' sacrifice, enabling believers to be reconciled with God.
to Israel
The initial focus on Israel highlights the fulfillment of God's promises to His chosen people. Jesus' ministry was primarily directed towards the Jews (Matthew 15:24), and the early church began in Jerusalem, spreading the message of salvation first to the Jewish people (Acts 1:8). This phrase also connects to the broader biblical narrative of Israel's role in God's plan, as seen in Romans 1:16, where the gospel is for the Jew first and then the Gentile. It underscores the continuity of God's covenantal faithfulness to Israel while also foreshadowing the inclusion of the Gentiles in the salvation plan.
The resurrection did not leave Jesus merely alive again; the Father exalted Him. Acts 2:33 says, “Exalted, therefore, to the right hand of God…”. Philippians 2:9–11 declares that God “highly exalted Him and gave Him the name above every name.” This exaltation:
• Validates every promise Jesus made (John 14:6).
• Demonstrates His victory over sin, death, and hell (1 Corinthians 15:54–57).
• Fulfills Old Testament expectation that Messiah would be raised to honor (Isaiah 52:13).
The “right hand” is the seat of supreme authority and favor. Psalm 110:1 foretold, “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet”, a verse repeatedly applied to Jesus (Hebrews 1:3; Ephesians 1:20–22). At the right hand:
• He rules; the throne is active, not ceremonial (1 Peter 3:22).
• He intercedes; Hebrews 7:25 says He “always lives to intercede” for believers.
• He awaits the final subjection of all rule, power, and authority (1 Corinthians 15:24–26).
“Prince” stresses leadership—He is the Author of life (Acts 3:15). “Savior” highlights deliverance—“Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you—He is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). Together they show:
• He initiates and He rescues; the same Lord who commands also redeems (Hebrews 2:10).
• His authority and compassion cannot be separated; Titus 2:13 calls Him “our great God and Savior.”
• Believers follow Him as Captain and rest in Him as Deliverer.
Repentance is not self-generated; it is a gift. Acts 11:18 notes that “God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.” Additional confirmation comes from 2 Timothy 2:25 and Romans 2:4, where God’s kindness leads to repentance. This gift involves:
• Conviction of sin by the Holy Spirit (John 16:8).
• A turning of mind and heart toward God (1 Thessalonians 1:9).
• Renewal that bears fruit in obedience (Matthew 3:8).
Repentance’s twin blessing is forgiveness. Ephesians 1:7 proclaims, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses.” Colossians 1:14 echoes the same. This forgiveness is:
• Full—“He will remember their sins no more” (Hebrews 8:12).
• Free—offered without cost to the sinner because Christ paid in full (1 Peter 2:24).
• Final—there is now “no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).
Peter’s immediate audience was Israel, the covenant nation that had rejected Messiah. Acts 3:26 reminds them, “God raised up His Servant and sent Him first to you to bless you…” The promise to Israel shows:
• God’s faithfulness to Abraham’s descendants (Romans 11:28–29).
• A pattern: “first to the Jew, then to the Gentile” (Romans 1:16).
• Hope for national restoration when “all Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:26), while individual Jews and Gentiles alike receive salvation now.
Acts 5:31 compresses the gospel into one sentence. The Father exalted the risen Jesus to the place of highest authority, installing Him as the ruling Prince and rescuing Savior. From that throne He grants the twin gifts of repentance and forgiveness, offered first to Israel but available to all. The verse celebrates the triumph of Christ, the generosity of God, and the sure promise that every repentant sinner will be forgiven through Him.
(31) Him hath God exalted.--It is significant that St. Peter should use a word which, while it does not occur as applied to our Lord in the first three Gospels, meets us as so applied in St. John (John 3:14; John 12:32 : "lifted up" in the English version). It had also been used of the righteous sufferer in the LXX. version of Isaiah 3:13, and was afterwards used of the ascended and glorified Christ by St. Paul in Philippians 2:9.A Prince.--See Note on Acts 3:15. . . .
Verse 31. - Did God exalt for hath God exalted, A.V.; remission for forgiveness, A.V. With his right hand; i.e. by his mighty power, as the instrument of Christ's exaltation. A Prince (Acts 3:15, note). Repentance first, "a new heart and a new spirit" (Ezekiel 36:26), and forgiveness next (comp. Acts 2:38; Acts 3:19, etc.).