Acts 1:8

“But ye shall receive power, etc.] From on high, with which they were to be endured, (<422449>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…”

“receive power--See Luk 24:49. and ye shall be witnesses unto me . . . in Jerusalem . . . in all Judea . . . and unto the uttermost part of the earth--This order of apostolic preaching and success supplies the proper key to the plan of the Acts, which relates first the progress of the Gospel "in Jerusalem, and all Judea and Samaria" (the first through ninth chapters), and then "unto the uttermost part of the earth" (the tenth through twenty-eighth chapters).”

“But ye shall receive power ... - Literally, as it is translated in the margin, “Ye shall receive the power of the Holy Spirit coming upon you.” This was said to them to console them. Though they could not know the times which God reserved in his own appointment, yet they should receive the promised Guide and Comforter. The word “power” here refers to the help or aid which the Holy Spirit would grant; the power of speaking with new tongues; of preaching the gospel with great effect; of enduring great trials, etc. See Mark 16:17-18. The apostles had impatiently asked him if he was then about to restore the kingdom to Israel. Jesus by this answer rebuked their impatience, taught them to repress…”

“But ye shall receive power - and shall be witnesses to me - That is, ye shall be empowered to witness my Gospel, both by your preaching and suffering. Acts 1:12”

“1:8 This key verse outlines the geographical extension of the Good News from its Jewish starting point in Jerusalem and Judea (1:6–8:1), out to Samaria (8:4-25), Antioch in Syria (11:19-30), and eventually throughout the Mediterranean world to Rome (13:1–28:31). Christ later gave a similar call to be his witnesses . . . to the ends of the earth to Saul of Tarsus (9:15), who had persecuted the Jewish Christians and then became the primary instrument for taking the Good News to the Gentiles. • The Holy Spirit was the source of power for all this evangelistic and missionary effort.”

“ye shall: Act 2:1-4, Act 6:8, Act 8:19; Mic 3:8; Zac 4:6; Luk 10:19; Rev 11:3-6 power: etc. or, the power of the Holy Ghost coming upon you, Luk 1:35, Luk 24:29; Rom 15:19 and ye: Act 1:22, Act 2:32, Act 3:15, Act 4:33, Act 5:32, Act 10:39-41, Act 13:31, Act 22:15; Mat 28:19; Mar 16:15; Luk 24:46-49; Joh 15:27 in Samaria: Acts 8:5-25 unto: Psa 22:27, Psa 98:3; Isa 42:10, Isa 49:6, Isa 52:10, Isa 66:19; Jer 16:19; Mat 24:14; Rom 10:18, Rom 15:19 Acts 1:9”