Acts 3:19

Contemporary English Version

So turn to God! Give up your sins, and you will be forgiven.

Parallel Translations

Simplified Cowboy Version
Turn away from your sin, and turn back to God. If you do, your sins will be blown away like a feed sack in a windstorm.

Legacy Standard Bible
Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;

New American Standard Bible (1995)
"Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;

Bible in Basic English
So then, let your hearts be changed and be turned to God, so that your sins may be completely taken away, and times of blessing may come from the Lord;

Darby Translation
Repent therefore and be converted, for the blotting out of your sins, so that times of refreshing may come from [the] presence of the Lord,

New King James Version
Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,

Christian Standard Bible®
Therefore repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out, that seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,

World English Bible
Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that so there may come times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord,

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Repent ye therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, that the times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,

Weymouth's New Testament
Repent, therefore, and reform your lives, so that the record of your sins may be cancelled, and that there may come seasons of revival from the Lord,

King James Version (1611)
Repent yee therefore, and bee conuerted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shal come from the presence of the Lord.

Literal Translation
Therefore, repent, and convert, for the blotting out of your sins, so that times of refreshing may come from the face of the Lord,

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Do penaunce now therfore and turne you, that youre synnes maye be done awaye, whan the tyme of refreshinge shal come before the presence of the LORDE,

Mace New Testament (1729)
repent therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshment shall come from the presence of the Lord, who shall send Jesus Christ,

THE MESSAGE
"Now it's time to change your ways! Turn to face God so he can wipe away your sins, pour out showers of blessing to refresh you, and send you the Messiah he prepared for you, namely, Jesus. For the time being he must remain out of sight in heaven until everything is restored to order again just the way God, through the preaching of his holy prophets of old, said it would be. Moses, for instance, said, ‘Your God will raise up for you a prophet just like me from your family. Listen to every word he speaks to you. Every last living soul who refuses to listen to that prophet will be wiped out from the people.'

Amplified Bible
"So repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins] and return [to God—seek His purpose for your life], so that your sins may be wiped away [blotted out, completely erased], so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord [restoring you like a cool wind on a hot day];

American Standard Version
Repent ye therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that so there may come seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord;

Revised Standard Version
Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Repent ye therfore and turne yt youre synnes maye be done awaye when the tyme of refresshinge commeth which we shall have of the presence of the Lorde

Update Bible Version
Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out;

Webster's Bible Translation
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,

Young's Literal Translation
reform ye, therefore, and turn back, for your sins being blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,

New Century Version
So you must change your hearts and lives! Come back to God, and he will forgive your sins. Then the Lord will send the time of rest.

New English Translation
Therefore repent and turn back so that your sins may be wiped out,

Berean Standard Bible
Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away,

Complete Jewish Bible
"Therefore, repent and turn to God, so that your sins may be erased;

English Standard Version
Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,

Geneva Bible (1587)
Amend your liues therefore, and turne, that your sinnes may be put away, whe the time of refreshing shal come from the presence of the Lord.

George Lamsa Translation
Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out when the times of tranquility shall come to you from before the presence of the LORD;

Hebrew Names Version
"Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that so there may come times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord,

International Standard Version
Therefore, repent and turn to him to have your sins blotted out,Acts 2:38;">[xr]

Etheridge Translation
Repent therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, and that the times of repose may come to you from before the presence of the Lord;

Murdock Translation
Repent, therefore, and be converted; that so your sins may be blotted out,

New Living Translation
Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.

New Life Bible
But you must be sorry for your sins and turn from them. You must turn to God and have your sins taken away. Then many times your soul will receive new strength from the Lord.

English Revised Version
Repent ye therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that so there may come seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord;

New Revised Standard
Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out,

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Repent ye, therefore, and turn, - unto the blotting out of your sins; to the end that in that case, there may come seasons of refreshing from the face of the Lord,

Douay-Rheims Bible
Be penitent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.

King James Version
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.

Lexham English Bible
Therefore repent and turn back, so that your sins may be blotted out,

Bishop's Bible (1568)
Repent ye therfore and conuert, that your sinnes may be done away, when the tyme of refreshyng shall come, in the presence of the Lorde.

Easy-to-Read Version
So you must change your hearts and lives. Come back to God, and he will forgive your sins.

New American Standard Bible
"Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;

Good News Translation
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that he will forgive your sins. If you do,

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Therfor be ye repentaunt, and be ye conuertid, that youre synnes be don awei,

Contextual Overview

¹² Peter saw that a crowd had gathered, and he said: Friends, why are you surprised at what has happened? Why are you staring at us? Do you think we have some power of our own? Do you think we were able to make this man walk because we are so religious? ¹³ The God that Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and our other ancestors worshiped has brought honor to his Servant Jesus. He is the one you betrayed. You turned against him when he was being tried by Pilate, even though Pilate wanted to set him free. ¹⁴ You rejected Jesus, who was holy and good. You asked for a murderer to be set free, ¹⁵ and you killed the one who leads people to life. But God raised him from death, and all of us can tell you what he has done. ¹⁶ You see this man, and you know him. He put his faith in the name of Jesus and was made strong. Faith in Jesus made this man completely well while everyone was watching. ¹⁷ My friends, I am sure that you and your leaders didn't know what you were doing. ¹⁸ But God had his prophets tell that his Messiah would suffer, and now he has kept that promise. ¹⁹ So turn to God! Give up your sins, and you will be forgiven. ²⁰ Then that time will come when the Lord will give you fresh strength. He will send you Jesus, his chosen Messiah. ²¹ But Jesus must stay in heaven until God makes all things new, just as his holy prophets promised long ago.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Repent: Acts 2:38, Acts 11:18, 2 Timothy 2:25

be: Acts 11:21, Acts 15:3, Acts 26:18-20, Acts 28:27, Psalms 51:13, Isaiah 1:16-20, Isaiah 6:10, Isaiah 55:6, Isaiah 55:7, Jeremiah 31:18-20, Lamentations 3:40, Lamentations 5:21, Ezekiel 18:30-32, Daniel 9:13, Hosea 14:2, Joel 2:13, Matthew 13:15, Matthew 18:3, Luke 1:16, James 4:7-10, James 5:19, James 5:20, 1 Peter 2:25

that: Deuteronomy 4:29-31, 1 Kings 8:48-50, Psalms 32:1-5, Psalms 51:1-3, Psalms 51:9, Psalms 103:12, Isaiah 1:16-18, Isaiah 43:25, Isaiah 44:22, Jeremiah 31:33, Jeremiah 31:34, Jeremiah 50:20, Micah 7:18, Micah 7:19, Revelation 21:4

when: Acts 3:21, Acts 1:6, Acts 17:26, Psalms 72:6-19, Psalms 98:1-9, Isaiah 2:1-3, Isaiah 49:10-22, Isaiah 51:11, Isaiah 52:1-10, Isaiah 54:1-14, Isaiah 60:1-22, Isaiah 61:3, Isaiah 61:9-11, Isaiah 62:1-5, Isaiah 65:17-25, Isaiah 66:10-14, Isaiah 66:18-22, Jeremiah 31:22-26, Jeremiah 32:37-41, Jeremiah 33:15-26, Ezekiel 34:23-31, Ezekiel 37:21-28, Ezekiel 39:25-29, Hosea 2:19-23, Joel 3:16-21, Amos 9:13-15, Micah 7:14, Micah 7:15, Zephaniah 3:14-20, Zechariah 8:20-23, Romans 11:25, 2 Thessalonians 1:7, 2 Thessalonians 1:10, 2 Peter 3:8

Reciprocal: Numbers 5:23 - blot Deuteronomy 4:30 - if thou Deuteronomy 30:10 - turn unto Job 36:10 - commandeth Psalms 7:12 - If Proverbs 1:23 - Turn Isaiah 31:6 - Turn Isaiah 42:23 - will give Isaiah 59:20 - unto Jeremiah 36:3 - that I Ezekiel 3:18 - to save Ezekiel 14:6 - Repent Ezekiel 18:21 - if the Ezekiel 18:27 - when Ezekiel 18:31 - make Ezekiel 33:11 - turn ye Ezekiel 33:14 - if he Jonah 3:8 - let Zechariah 1:4 - Turn Matthew 3:2 - Repent Matthew 4:17 - Repent Matthew 7:13 - at Matthew 9:13 - but Matthew 12:32 - whosoever Mark 4:12 - be converted Mark 6:12 - preached Luke 1:77 - the Luke 5:32 - General Luke 13:3 - except Luke 22:32 - and when Luke 22:57 - he denied Luke 24:47 - that John 3:5 - cannot John 12:40 - and be Acts 3:24 - and all Acts 5:31 - forgiveness Acts 8:22 - Repent Acts 13:32 - how Acts 17:30 - but Acts 20:21 - repentance Acts 22:18 - for Acts 26:20 - repent 2 Corinthians 7:10 - repentance Ephesians 1:7 - the forgiveness Colossians 2:14 - Blotting 1 Thessalonians 1:3 - in the Hebrews 6:1 - repentance

Cross-References

Genesis 3:12
"It was the woman you put here with me," the man said. "She gave me some of the fruit, and I ate it."

Genesis 3:13
The Lord God then asked the woman, "What have you done?" "The snake tricked me," she answered. "And I ate some of that fruit."

Genesis 3:16
Then the Lord said to the woman, "You will suffer terribly when you give birth. But you will still desire your husband, and he will rule over you."

Genesis 3:21
Then the Lord God made clothes out of animal skins for the man and his wife.

Genesis 3:22
The Lord said, "These people now know the difference between right and wrong, just as we do. But they must not be allowed to eat fruit from the tree that lets them live forever."

Genesis 18:27
Abraham answered, "I am nothing more than the dust of the earth. Please forgive me, Lord , for daring to speak to you like this.

Genesis 23:4
"I live as a foreigner in your land, and I don't own any property where I can bury my wife. Please let me buy a piece of land."

Job 1:21
and said: "We bring nothing at birth; we take nothing with us at death. The Lord alone gives and takes. Praise the name of the Lord !"

Job 19:26
My flesh may be destroyed, yet from this body I will see God.

Job 21:26
But we all end up dead, beneath a blanket of worms.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Repent ye therefore,.... The Ethiopic version adds, "and be baptized", :-,

and be converted. The apostle's sense is, repent of the sin of crucifying Christ, which is what he had been charging them with, and turn unto him, and acknowledge him as the Messiah; receive his doctrines, and submit to his ordinances; externally reform in life and conversation, and bring forth fruits meet for repentance, such as will show it to be true and genuine:

that your sins may be blotted out; or forgiven, see Psalms 51:9. Not that repentance and reformation procure the pardon of sin, or are the causes of it, for forgiveness is entirely owing to the free grace of God, and blood of Christ; but inasmuch as that is only manifested and applied to repenting and converted sinners; and who are encouraged to repent, and turn to the Lord from the promise of pardon; it is incumbent on them, and is their interest so to do, that they may have a discovery of the remission of their sins by the blood of Christ. Though no other repentance and conversion may be here meant than an external one; and the blotting out of sin, and forgiveness of it, may intend no other than the removing a present calamity, or the averting a threatened judgment, or the deliverance of persons from national ruin, Exodus 32:32. These Jews had crucified the Lord of glory, and for this sin were threatened with miserable destruction; the apostle therefore exhorteth them to repentance for it, and to a conversion to the Messiah, that so when ruin should come upon their nation, they might be delivered from the general calamity; when it would be terrible times to the unbelieving and impenitent Jews, but times of refreshment, ease, peace, and rest from persecution, to the believers, as is next expressed.

When the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; or "that the times of refreshing may come", as the Syriac version; either seasons of spiritual refreshment, joy, and peace, through the great and precious promises of the Gospel, and by the application of the blood and righteousness of Christ, to such penitent and converted sinners; which refreshment and comfort come from the Lord, and are accompanied with his gracious presence: or else seasons of rest, and deliverance from the violent heat of persecution; which was the case of the saints at the destruction of Jerusalem; they were not only saved from that ruin, but delivered from the wrath of their most implacable enemies. The Ethiopic version renders it, "and the day of mercy shall come from the presence of the Lord", repenting sinners find mercy; and a discovery of pardon is a time of mercy; and when God grants this, he affords his presence. The Jews call the world to come a time of refreshment; and say b,

"better is one hour של קורת רוח, "of refreshment", in the world to come, than the whole life of this world.''

b Pirke Abot, c. 4. sect. 17.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Repent ye - See the notes on Matthew 3:2.

Therefore - Because of your sin in putting Jesus to death, and “because” he is the Messiah, and God through him is willing to show mercy to the chief of sinners.

And be converted - This expression conveys an idea not at all to be found in the original. It conveys the idea of “passivity,” be “converted,” as if they were to yield to some foreign influence I that they were now resisting. But the idea of being “passive” in this is not conveyed by the original word. The word means properly to “turn; to return to a path from which one has gone astray; and then to turn away from sins, or to forsake them.” It is a word used in a general sense to denote “the whole turning to God.” That the form of the word here ἐπιστρέψατε epistrepsate does not denote passivity may be clearly seen by referring to the following places where the same form of the word is used: Matthew 24:18; Mark 13:16; Luke 17:31; 1 Thessalonians 1:9. The expression, therefore, would have been more appropriately rendered “repent and turn, that your sins,” etc. “To be converted” cannot be a matter of obligation, but to “turn to God” is the duty of every sinner. The crimes of which he exhorted them to repent were those pertaining to the death of the Lord Jesus, as well as all the past sins of their lives. They were to turn from the course of wickedness in which they and the nation had been so long walking. That your sins, etc. In order that your sins may be forgiven. Sin cannot be pardoned before man repents of it. In the order of the work of grace, repentance must always precede pardon. Of course, no man can have evidence that his sin is pardoned until he repents. Compare Isaiah 1:16-20; Joel 2:13.

May be blotted out - May be forgiven, or pardoned. The expression “to blot out sins” occurs also in Isaiah 43:25; Psalms 51:1, Psalms 51:9; Jeremiah 18:23; Nehemiah 4:5; Isaiah 44:22. The expression “to blot out a name” is applied to expunging it from a “roll,” or “catalog,” or “list,” as of an army, etc. Exodus 32:32-33; Deuteronomy 9:14; Deuteronomy 25:19; Deuteronomy 29:29, etc. The expression to “blot out sins” is taken from the practice of creditors charging their debtors, and when the debt is paid, cancelling it, or wholly removing the record. The word used here properly refers to the practice of writing on tables covered with wax, and then by inverting the stylus, or instrument of writing, smoothing the wax again, and thus removing every trace of the record. This more entirely expresses the idea of pardoning than blotting does. It means wholly to remove the record, the charge, and every trace of the account against us. In this way God forgives sins.

When the times ... - The word ὅπως hopōs, rendered “when,” is commonly rendered that, and denotes the “final cause,” or the “reason” why a thing is done, Matthew 2:23; Matthew 5:16, Matthew 5:45, etc. By many it has been supposed to have this sense here, and to mean, “repent ...in order that the times of refreshing may come,” etc. Thus, Kuinoel, Grotius, Lightfoot, the Syriac version, etc. If used in this sense, it means that their repentance and forgiveness would be the means of introducing peace and joy. Others have rendered it, in accordance with our translation, “when,” meaning that they might find peace in the day when Christ should return to judgment, which return would be to them a day of rest, though of terror to the wicked. Thus, Calvin, Beza, the Latin Vulgate, Schleusner, etc. The grammatical construction will admit of either, though the former is more in accordance with the usual use of the word.

The objection to the former is, that it is not easy to see how their repenting, etc., would be the means of introducing the times of refreshing. And this, also, corresponds very little with the design of Peter in this discourse. That was to encourage them to repentance; to adduce arguments why they should repent, and why they might hope in his mercy. To do this, it was needful only to assure them that they were living under the times graciously promised by God the times of refreshing, when pardon might be obtained. The main inquiry, therefore, is, What did Peter refer to by the times of refreshing, and by the restitution of all things? Did he refer to any particular manifestation to be made then, or to the influence of the gospel on the earth, or to the future state, when the Lord Jesus shall come to judgment? The idea which I suppose Peter intended to convey was this: “Repent, and be converted. You have been great sinners, and are in danger. Turn from your ways, that your sins may be forgiven.”

But then, what encouragement would there be for this? or why should it be done? Answer: “You are living under the times of the gospel, the reign of the Messiah, the times of refreshing. This happy, glorious period has been long anticipated, and is to continue to the close of the world. The period which will include the restitution of all things, and the return of Christ to judgment, has come, and is, therefore, the period when you may find mercy, and when you should seek it, to be prepared for his return.” In this sense the passage refers to the fact that this time, this dispensation, this economy, including all this, had come, and they were living under it, and might and should seek for mercy. It expresses, therefore, the common belief of the Yews that such a time would come, and the comment of Peter about its nature and continuance. The belief of the Jews was that such times would come.

Peter affirms that the belief of such a period was well founded a time when mercy may be obtained. That time has come. The doctrine that it would come was well founded, and has been fulfilled. This was a reason why they should repent, and hope in the mercy of God. Peter goes on, then, to state further characteristics of that period. It would include the restitution of all things, the return of Christ to judgment, etc. And all this was an additional consideration why they should repent, and turn from their sins, and seek for forgiveness. The meaning of the passage may therefore be thus summed up: “Repent, since it is a true doctrine that such times would come: they are clearly predicted; they were to be expected; and you are now living under them. In these times; in this dispensation, also, God shall send his Son again to judge the world, and all things shall be closed and settled forever. Since you live under this period, you may seek for mercy, and you should seek to avoid the vengeance due to the wicked, and to be admitted to heaven when the Lord Jesus shall return.”

Times of refreshing - The word rendered “refreshing,” ἀνάψυξις anapsuxis, means properly “breathing,” or “refreshment,” after being heated with labor, running, etc. It hence denotes “any kind of refreshment, as rest, or deliverance from evils of any kind.” It is used nowhere else in the New Testament, except that the verb is used in 2 Timothy 1:16, “Onesiphorus ...oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain.” He administered comfort to me in my trials. It is used by the Septuagint in the Old Testament nine times: Exodus 8:15, “But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite”; that is, cessation or rest from the plagues, Hosea 12:8; Jeremiah 49:31; Psalms 69:11, etc. In no place in the Old Testament is the word applied to the terms of the gospel. The idea, however, that the times of the Messiah would be times of rest, ease, and prosperity, was a favorite one among the Jews, and was countenanced in the Old Testament. See Isaiah 28:12, “To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing,” etc. They anticipated the times of the gospel as a period when they would have rest from their enemies, a respite from the evils of oppression and war, and great national prosperity and peace. Under the idea that the happy times of the Messiah had come, Peter now addresses them, and assures them that they might obtain pardon and peace.

Shall come - This does not mean that this period was still future, for it had come; but that the expectation of the Jews that such a Messiah would come was well founded. A remarkably similar construction we have concerning Elijah Matthew 17:11, “And Jesus answered and said, Elias truly shall first come, and restore,” etc.; that is, the doctrine that Elijah would come was true, though he immediately adds that it had already taken place, Acts 3:12. See the notes on that place.

From the presence of the Lord - Greek: “From the face of the Lord.” The expression means that God was “its author.” From the face of the Lord means “from the Lord himself:” Mark 1:2, “I send thy messenger before thy face,” that is, before thee. Compare Malachi 3:1; Luke 1:76; Luke 2:31.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Acts 3:19. Repent ye therefore — Now that ye are convinced that this was the Messiah, let your minds be changed, and your hearts become contrite for the sins you have committed.

And be converted — επιστρεψατε, Turn to God through this Christ, deeply deploring your transgressions, and believing on his name; that your sins may be blotted out, which are not only recorded against you, but for which you are condemned by the justice of God; and the punishment due to them must be executed upon you, unless prevented by your repentance, and turning to him whom ye have pierced. The blotting out of sins may refer to the ceremony of the waters of jealousy, where the curse that was written in the book was to be blotted out with the bitter water. Numbers 5:23. Their sins were written down against them, and cried aloud for punishment; for they themselves had said, His blood be upon us, and upon our children, Matthew 27:25; and unless they took refuge in this sacrificial blood, and got their sins blotted out by it, they could not be saved.

When the times of refreshing shall come — Dr. Lightfoot contends, and so ought all, that ὁπως αν ελθωσι καιροι αναψυξεως, should be translated, THAT the times of refreshing MAY come. αναψυξις, signifies a breathing time, or respite, and may be here applied to the space that elapsed from this time till the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans. This was a time of respite, which God gave them to repent of their sins, and be converted to himself. Taking the word in the sense of refreshment in general, it may mean the whole reign of the kingdom of grace, and the blessings which God gives here below to all genuine believers, peace, love, joy, and communion with himself. Acts 3:21.