Jesus

31It was the day to get ready, and the next day was a special Sabbath, a day of rest. The Jewish leaders did not want the bodies left on the crosses that day. So they asked Pilate to have the men's legs broken and the bodies taken away.

The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.

NoteThe Sabbath was the Jewish day of rest, when nobody worked. It began on Friday evening. The day before was called the day of preparation, because people got their food and work done early. Breaking a man's legs made him die faster. The leaders asked for this so the bodies could be taken down before the rest day began.

32The soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man. Then they broke the legs of the other man.

Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.

33But when they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead. So they did not break his legs.

But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:

34Instead, one of the soldiers pushed a spear into Jesus' side. Right away blood and water came out.

But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.

NoteA spear is a long pole with a sharp metal point. Soldiers used one to make sure a man had really died.

35The man who saw this has told what happened, and what he says is true. He knows he is telling the truth, so that you may believe.

And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.

36These things happened so that the Scriptures would come true: "Not one of his bones will be broken."

For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.

37Another place in the Scriptures says, "They will look at the one they pierced."

And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.

Note"Pierced" means made a hole in something with a sharp point.

38After this, Joseph from the town of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Joseph followed Jesus, but he kept it secret because he was afraid of the leaders. Pilate said yes, so Joseph came and took the body away.

And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.

39Nicodemus came too. He was the man who had first come to Jesus at night. He brought about seventy-five pounds of myrrh and aloes, which are sweet-smelling spices.

And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.

NoteThe King James Bible says "an hundred pound." A Roman pound was smaller than ours, about three quarters as heavy. So it was about seventy-five of our pounds. That is very heavy to carry. Sweet-smelling spices were put with a body when someone was buried.

40They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it in strips of linen cloth with the spices. That was the Jewish way of burying someone.

Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.

NoteLinen is cloth made from a plant called flax. It is light and smooth, like a thin sheet.

41There was a garden in the place where Jesus was crucified. In the garden was a new tomb. No one had ever been laid there.

Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid.

NoteA tomb was not a hole in the ground. It was a small room cut into a rock hillside. A big round stone was rolled across the door to close it.

42It was the Jewish day to get ready, and the tomb was close by. So they laid Jesus there.

There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.

1It was the first day of the week. Very early, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb. She saw that the stone had been rolled away from it.

The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.

NoteA tomb was a small room cut into rock. A dead body was laid inside it. A big round stone was rolled across the doorway. Magdalene means Mary came from a town called Magdala. The first day of the week was our Sunday.

2So she ran to Simon Peter and to the other follower, the one Jesus loved. She said, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb. We do not know where they put him."

Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the LORD out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.

NoteSimon Peter and Peter are the same man. He had two names, like a nickname.

3So Peter and that other follower started out for the tomb.

Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.

4Both men ran together. The other follower ran faster than Peter and got there first.

So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.

5He bent down and looked in. He saw the linen cloths lying there. But he did not go inside.

And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.

NoteLinen is a smooth, strong cloth. A dead body was wrapped in long linen strips before burial.

6Then Simon Peter came up behind him. He went right into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there.

Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,

7The cloth that had been around Jesus' head was not with them. It was rolled up in a place by itself.

And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.

8Then the other follower went in too, the one who got there first. He saw, and he believed.

Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.

9Until then they had not understood what the Scriptures said. God's book said that Jesus had to rise from the dead.

For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.

NoteThe Scriptures are the holy writings of God's people. They were written long before Jesus was born.

10Then the two followers went back to their homes.

Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.

11But Mary stayed outside the tomb, crying. While she cried, she bent down and looked inside.

But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,

12She saw two angels dressed in white, sitting where Jesus' body had been. One sat where his head had been. The other sat where his feet had been.

And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.

NoteAngels are messengers that God sends to people.

13They asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?" She said, "They have taken my Lord away. I do not know where they put him."

And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my LORD, and I know not where they have laid him.

NoteCalling a person "Woman" was not rude back then. It was an ordinary, gentle way to speak.

14Then she turned around. She saw Jesus standing there. But she did not know it was him.

And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

15Jesus asked her, "Woman, why are you crying? Who are you looking for?" She thought he was the gardener. She said, "Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you put him. Then I will go and get him."

Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.

NoteThe tomb was in a garden. So Mary thought this man took care of the plants there.

16Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned to him and said, "Rabboni!" That word means "Teacher."

Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

NoteRabboni is a word from the language Mary spoke. It means "my teacher" and shows great love and respect. Mary said this word in Hebrew. Hebrew is the name of the language her people spoke.

17Jesus said to her, "Do not hold on to me. I have not yet gone up to my Father. Go to my brothers and tell them this: I am going up to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God."

Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

Note"My Father" means God. When Jesus says "my brothers," he means his followers, not his family.

18Mary Magdalene went and told the followers, "I have seen the Lord!" And she told them everything he had said to her.

Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the LORD, and that he had spoken these things unto her.

19That evening, the same first day of the week, the followers were together. The doors were locked, because they were afraid of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them. He said, "Peace be with you."

Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

Note"The Jews" here means the leaders in Jerusalem. Those leaders had sent men to arrest Jesus. Jesus and his followers were Jewish too.

20Then he showed them his hands and his side. The followers were full of joy to see the Lord.

And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the LORD.

NoteJesus had been nailed to a cross. A soldier had cut his side with a spear. The marks showed his followers it was really him.

21Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. My Father sent me. Now I am sending you."

Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

22Then he breathed on them. He said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit."

And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

NoteIn their language, one word meant both breath and spirit. The Holy Spirit is God's own Spirit, who helps people.

23"If you forgive people their sins, their sins are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."

Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

NoteTo forgive a sin means you stop holding a wrong against someone.

24Thomas was one of the twelve close followers. He was also called Didymus. He was not there when Jesus came.

But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

NoteThe twelve were the men Jesus chose to stay closest to him. Didymus is a Greek word. It means "twin."

25The other followers told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But Thomas said, "I must see the nail marks in his hands. I must put my finger where the nails were. I must put my hand into his side. Until then I will not believe."

The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the LORD. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

26Eight days later the followers were inside again. Thomas was with them this time. The doors were locked. Jesus came and stood among them. He said, "Peace be with you."

And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.

NoteThey counted the first day as day one. So "eight days later" means the next Sunday.

27Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here. Look at my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."

Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

28Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!"

And Thomas answered and said unto him, My LORD and my God.

29Jesus said to him, "Thomas, you believe because you have seen me. Blessed are the people who believe without seeing me."

Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

NoteBlessed means truly happy, because good has come to you.

30Jesus did many other signs, amazing things, while his followers watched. Those are not written in this book.

And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:

NoteA sign is a wonder that points to something, the way an arrow does. Jesus' signs showed people who he was.

31But these are written so you will believe this. Jesus is the Christ, the king God promised to send. He is the Son of God. And by believing you will have life through him.

But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

Note"Christ" means "the chosen one." God's people had waited many years for the king God promised them.

1Later, Jesus let his followers see him again. This happened by the Sea of Tiberias. Here is how it went.

After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.

NoteThe Sea of Tiberias is a big lake in the land of Galilee. It is also called the Sea of Galilee. Many people caught fish there for their work. His followers were the people who learned from him.

2Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, and Zebedee's sons were together. Two other followers were with them.

There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.

NoteDidymus means "twin." It was a second name for Thomas. Zebedee's sons were two brothers named James and John.

3Simon Peter said, "I am going fishing." They said, "We will come with you." They got into the boat right away. All that night they caught nothing.

Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.

NoteFishermen often worked all night, because night was a good time to catch fish. They dropped big nets into the water from the boat.

4Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore. But his followers did not know it was Jesus.

But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.

5Jesus called to them, "Children, do you have any fish?" They answered, "No."

Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.

Note"Children" here is a warm word, like saying "boys" or "friends." Jesus was speaking to grown men he knew well.

6He said, "Throw your net out on the right side of the boat. Then you will find some." They threw the net out. So many fish went in that they could not pull it up.

And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.

7The follower Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Peter heard that, he pulled on his coat, because he had nothing on. Then he jumped into the water.

Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.

NoteThe man who wrote this book calls himself "the follower Jesus loved." He never writes his own name. Men took their coats off to work in a boat. Peter pulled his coat back on before he jumped in.

8The other followers came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish. They were not far from land, only about a hundred yards.

And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.

NoteThe King James says "two hundred cubits." A cubit was the length of a grown-up's arm, from the elbow to the fingertips.

9When they got to land, they saw a fire of hot coals. Fish were laid on it, and there was bread.

As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.

NoteCoals are pieces of wood that have burned down. They stay hot for a long time. People cooked food on them.

10Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you just caught."

Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.

11Simon Peter went and pulled the net onto the land. It was full of big fish, 153 of them. Even with so many, the net did not tear.

Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.

12Jesus said, "Come and eat." No one dared to ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord.

Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.

13Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them. He gave them the fish too.

Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise.

14This was the third time Jesus let his followers see him. It was after he rose from the dead.

This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.

NoteJesus had died a few days before this. Then he came back to life. This was the third time his friends saw him after that.

15When they finished eating, Jesus spoke to Simon Peter. He said, "Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me more than these do?" Peter said, "Yes, Lord. You know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."

So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

NotePeople were often named after their father, like "Simon, son of Jonas." Lambs are baby sheep. A shepherd feeds sheep and keeps them safe. Jesus is asking Peter to look after people that way.

16Jesus asked a second time, "Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me?" Peter said, "Yes, Lord. You know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."

He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

17Jesus asked a third time, "Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me?" Peter felt hurt that Jesus asked him three times. He said, "Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep."

He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

NoteEarlier, Peter had said three times that he did not know Jesus. Now Jesus asks him three times if he loves him.

18"I tell you the truth. When you were young, you dressed yourself. You walked wherever you wanted. When you are old, you will stretch out your hands. Someone else will dress you. He will take you where you do not want to go."

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.

NotePeople wore long clothes tied with a belt. Dressing yourself meant you were strong and could go where you liked. Stretching out your hands was a way of saying a person was tied up and led away.

19Jesus said this to show what kind of death Peter would die, and how it would bring honor to God. Then Jesus said to him, "Follow me."

This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

NoteTo bring honor to God means to help other people see how great God is.

20Peter turned around and saw the follower Jesus loved walking behind them. At the supper, this man had leaned close to Jesus. He had asked, "Lord, who is going to hand you over?"

Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?

NoteAt meals, people lay on their sides on cushions around a low table. So it was easy to lean close and whisper. "Hand you over" means showing Jesus' enemies where to find him.

21When Peter saw him, he asked Jesus, "Lord, what about this man?"

Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?

22Jesus said, "If I want him to stay here until I come back, that is not your concern. You follow me."

Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.

NoteJesus meant the day when he would come back to the world again.

23So people who believed began to say that this follower would not die. But Jesus did not say he would not die. He said, "If I want him to stay until I come, what is that to you?"

Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?

24This is the follower who tells about these things. He is the one who wrote them down. And we know that what he says is true.

This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.

NoteHe saw all this with his own eyes. He was not telling a story he heard from someone else.

25Jesus did many other things too. If every one of them were written down, I think the whole world could not hold the books. Amen.

And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

Note"Amen" is a word people said at the end of something. It means "yes, this is true."

1Dear Theophilus, in my first book I wrote about Jesus. I told about everything he began to do and to teach.

The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,

NoteTheophilus was a man this book was written for. His name sounds like Thee-OFF-il-us. The writer's first book tells the story of Jesus's life.

2I wrote about him up to the day he was taken up into heaven. Before he went, God's Spirit helped him give instructions to his apostles. Apostles were the men Jesus chose to go out and speak for him.

Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:

NoteThe King James Bible says "the Holy Ghost." That does not mean a spooky ghost. Ghost was an old word for spirit. It means God's Spirit.

3Jesus had suffered and died. After that he showed these men that he was alive. He gave them many proofs they could not doubt. They saw him for forty days. He talked with them about God's kingdom.

To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

NoteThe King James says Jesus showed himself alive "after his passion." Passion is an old word for suffering. "The kingdom of God" means the world with God as its king.

4One day they were all together with him. Jesus told them not to leave Jerusalem. He said, "Wait here for the gift my Father promised. You heard me talk about it."

And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.

NoteJerusalem was the biggest, most important city for the Jewish people. Many of them came there to worship God.

5"John baptized people with water. He dipped them in water. But in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."

For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

NoteJohn was a man called John the Baptist. He dipped people in the river as a sign. It showed they wanted to start fresh with God.

6So when they were all together, they asked him a question. "Lord, are you going to make Israel its own kingdom again now?"

When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

NoteIsrael was the land of the Jewish people. In those days soldiers from Rome ruled it. Many people hoped for a king of their own again.

7Jesus said to them, "It is not for you to know the times or dates. My Father has decided them himself."

And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

8"But the Holy Spirit will come to you, and you will get power. Then you will tell people about me. You will start in Jerusalem, then all of Judea, then Samaria. You will go to the farthest parts of the earth."

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

NoteJudea was the land around Jerusalem. Samaria was the land just north of Judea.

9After Jesus said this, he was lifted up while they watched. A cloud came and hid him from their eyes.

And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

10They kept staring up at the sky as he went. Suddenly two men in white clothes were standing beside them.

And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

NoteClothes that shining white were a sign. These two were messengers sent from God.

11The men said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking at the sky? Jesus has been taken away from you into heaven. He will come back the very same way you saw him go."

Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

NoteGalilee was the part of the country far north of Jerusalem. Most of these men grew up there.

22"Men of Israel, listen to me. God showed you that Jesus of Nazareth came from him. God did miracles, wonders, and signs through Jesus, right in front of you. You know this is true."

Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:

NoteNazareth was the small town where Jesus grew up. A miracle is something only God can do. A sign is a wonder that shows people something true.

23"Jesus was handed over. God knew this would happen, and he had planned it. You took him. Through the hands of wicked men, you nailed him to a cross and killed him."

Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

NoteA cross was a tall wooden post used for killing people. The Roman rulers killed people that way, outside where all could watch.

24"But God raised Jesus back to life. God set him free from the pain of death. Death could not keep its hold on him."

Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

25"David wrote about Jesus. He said, 'I always saw the Lord in front of me. He is right beside me, so I will not be shaken.'"

For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:

NoteDavid was a king of Israel long, long ago. He wrote many of the songs and prayers in the Bible. Sitting at someone's right side was the best place of honor.

26"'So my heart is happy and my words are glad. My body will rest, still full of hope.'"

Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:

27"'You will not leave me in the place of the dead. You will not let your Holy One rot in the grave.'"

Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

NoteThe King James says "hell" here. It means the place where dead people go. "See corruption" means a dead body rotting away.

28"'You have shown me the paths that lead to life. Being close to you will fill me with joy.'"

Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.

29"Brothers, I can say this plainly. David, the father of our people, died and was buried. His grave is still here today."

Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.

NoteThe King James calls David a "patriarch." That means a father of a whole people. David lived about a thousand years before Peter.

30"David was a prophet. God had made him a solemn promise. One of David's own family would sit on his throne. That one would be the Christ, God's chosen king."

Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;

Note"Christ" means the chosen king God had promised to send. The King James says "the fruit of his loins." That means a child born later in his family.

31"David saw this ahead of time. He spoke about the Christ coming back to life. The Christ was not left in the place of the dead. His body did not rot in the grave."

He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

32"God raised this same Jesus back to life. We all saw it, and we tell you it is true."

This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

33"God lifted Jesus up to the place of honor at his right side. The Father gave Jesus the Holy Spirit he had promised. Jesus has poured that Spirit out. That is what you see and hear right now."

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.

34"David did not go up into heaven. But David himself said, 'The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right side,'"

For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

35"'until I put your enemies under your feet, like a stool.'"

Until I make thy foes thy footstool.

NoteA footstool is a low stool for resting your feet on. A winning king would put his foot on a beaten enemy.

36"So everyone in Israel should know this for sure. God has made this Jesus both Lord and Christ. He is the one you nailed to the cross."

Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

Note"Lord" means master, the one who is in charge.

12Peter saw this and said to them, "Men of Israel, why are you surprised? Why do you stare at us? We did not make this man walk by our own power or goodness."

And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?

NoteIsrael was another name for God's people, the Jews. Peter was speaking to a crowd of them at the temple.

13"The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has honored his servant Jesus. You handed Jesus over and said you did not want him. You did this in front of Pilate, even though he wanted to let Jesus go."

The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.

NoteAbraham, Isaac, and Jacob lived hundreds of years before this. All of God's people came from their family. In Peter's day, Rome ruled the land, and Pilate was the Roman leader in charge.

14"You said no to the Holy and Good One. You asked for a killer to be set free instead."

But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;

NotePilate had let the crowd pick one prisoner to go free. They picked a man who had killed someone, and not Jesus.

15"You killed the one who gives life. But God raised him from the dead. We saw it, and we are telling you it is true."

And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.

16"The name of Jesus made this man strong. You see him and you know him. Trusting in Jesus made him completely well, right in front of you all."

And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

17"Now, my brothers, I know you did not understand what you were doing. Your leaders did not understand either."

And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.

18"Long ago God spoke through all his prophets. God said his chosen King would suffer. That is just what happened."

But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.

NoteGod's people were waiting for a special King that God had promised to send. "Christ" is the word for that promised King. Peter is telling them that Jesus is the one. A prophet was someone who told people what God said.

19"So be sorry for your sins and turn back to God. Then your sins will be wiped away. Times of rest will come from the Lord."

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;

NoteSins are the wrong things people do. "Wiped away" is like wiping writing off a board. God takes the wrong away and does not count it anymore.

20"And God will send you Jesus, the King he chose. He is the one you were told about before."

And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:

21"Jesus must stay in heaven until the time comes to make everything right again. God said this long ago through his holy prophets."

Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

22"Moses told our fathers, 'The Lord your God will send you a prophet like me. He will come from among your own people. Listen to everything he tells you.'"

For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.

NoteMoses led God's people out of Egypt long, long before this. God gave his rules to the people through Moses.

23"'Anyone who will not listen to that prophet will be cut off from God's people.'"

And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.

NoteTo be "cut off" means to be no longer part of God's people. It is like being left out of the family.

24"Samuel and all the prophets after him spoke about these days too."

Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.

NoteSamuel was a prophet who lived hundreds of years before Jesus. He spoke for God and chose Israel's first kings.

25"You belong to the family of the prophets. You also belong to the promise God made with our fathers. God told Abraham, 'Through your family, every family on earth will be blessed.'"

Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.

NoteA promise like this one was very serious and lasted forever. Abraham was the first father of God's people, long ago. God told him that his family would bring good to the whole world.

26"God raised up his servant Jesus. He sent him to you first, to bless you. He blesses you by turning each of you away from your wrong ways."

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.