“And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”
My Notes
What Does Luke 24:47 Mean?
The risen Jesus commissions his disciples with a specific message: repentance and remission of sins, preached in his name, among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
The content is twofold: repentance (turning from sin) and remission (forgiveness of sin). Both are preached. Neither is optional. The gospel includes both the call to change and the offer of pardon.
"In his name" — the authority behind the message is Christ's. The disciples preach not on their own authority but under his. The name carries the weight.
"Among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem" establishes both the scope and the starting point. The gospel is for every nation — no ethnic or geographic limit. But it starts locally, where you are, before it extends to the ends of the earth.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Why does the gospel require both repentance and forgiveness — not just one?
- 2.What does 'beginning at Jerusalem' mean for your immediate context?
- 3.How does the risen Jesus giving this commission change its weight?
- 4.Who in your daily life needs to hear both the call to turn and the offer of pardon?
Devotional
Repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations. The message is simple: turn, and be forgiven. Both halves matter. Repentance without forgiveness is despair. Forgiveness without repentance is cheap grace.
In his name. The name of Jesus is the authority, the power, and the credential behind every word. The message does not come from the messenger. It comes from the name.
Among all nations. No exceptions. No people group excluded. No culture too different, no nation too far. The gospel's intended reach is total.
Beginning at Jerusalem. Start where you are. The global mission begins local. You do not have to reach the nations before you reach your neighbors. Jerusalem first — your immediate context, your daily circle. Then outward.
The risen Jesus gives this commission — not the pre-crucifixion Jesus but the post-resurrection one. The authority behind the command is resurrection authority. The one sending you has conquered death. And the message he asks you to carry is both a call to turn and an offer to forgive.
Who in your Jerusalem needs to hear this today?
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
And it came to pass, while he blessed them,.... Just as he was finishing the words, by which he expressed the blessings…
Repentance - Sorrow for sin and forsaking of it. It was proper that the “necessity” of repentance should be preached…
Repentance - See its nature fully explained on Mat 3:1 (note).
Remission of sins - Αφεσιν ἁμαρτιων, The taking away -…
Five times Christ was seen the same day that he rose: by Mary Magdalene alone in the garden (Joh 20:14), by the women as…
. remission of sins See on Luk 1:77."Your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake," and 1Jn 2:12.
among all nations…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture