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Acts 3:21

New Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Acts 3:21 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “whom the heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, whereof God spake by the mouth of His holy prophets that have been from of old.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

whom the heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, whereof God spake by the mouth of His holy prophets that have been from of old.
Acts 3:21 — American Standard Version

Context — Acts 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
18But the things which God foreshowed by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ should suffer, he thus fulfilled.
19Repent 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;
20and that he may send the Christ who hath been appointed for you, [even] Jesus:
21whom the heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, whereof God spake by the mouth of His holy prophets that have been from of old.
22Moses indeed said, A prophet shall the Lord God raise up unto you from among your brethren, like unto me. To him shall ye hearken in all things whatsoever he shall speak unto you.
23And it shall be, that every soul that shall not hearken to that prophet, shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.
24Yea and all the prophets from Samuel and them that followed after, as many as have spoken, they also told of these days.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Whom the heaven must receive, etc.] Hold and retain in his human nature; and which does not at all hinder or confront his mission, and coming to his people, in the mean while, in a spiritual way and manner, to their joy and comfort: or, “who must receive heaven”; the kingdom, and glory, and reign there: until the times of the restitution of all things: not of all created beings to their original estate, which there is no reason to believe ever will be; or of the churches of Christ to purity of doctrine, discipline, and conversation, which is to be hoped for, and will be in the spiritual reign of Christ; but of the accomplishment of all promises and prophecies concerning the bringing in the…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“until the times--embracing the whole period between the ascension and the second advent of Christ. restitution of all things--comprehending, probably, the rectification of all the disorders of the fall.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Whom the heavens must receive - The common belief of the Jews was, that the Messiah would reign on the earth forever, John 12:34. On this account they would object that Jesus could not be the Messiah, and hence, it became so important for the apostles to establish the fact that he had ascended to heaven. The evidence which they adduced was the fact that they saw him ascend, Acts 1:9. The meaning of the expression “whom the heavens must receive,” is that it was “fit” or “proper” δεῖ dei that he should ascend. One reason of that fitness or propriety he himself stated in John 16:7; compare John 17:2. It was also fit or expedient that he should do it, to direct the affairs of the universe for…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Till the times of the restitution of all things - The apostle here comprises at once the whole course of the times of the New Testament, between our Lord's ascension and his coming in glory. The most eminent of these are the apostolic age, and that of the spotless Church, which will consist of all the Jews and Gentiles united, after all persecutions and apostacies are at an end. Acts 3:22”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the heaven: Act 1:11 the times: Act 3:19; Isa 1:26; Mal 3:3, Mal 3:4, Mal 4:5, Mal 4:6; Mat 17:11, Mat 17:12; Mar 9:11-13 holy: Act 10:43; Luk 1:70; Pe2 1:21, Pe2 3:2; Rev 18:20, Rev 22:6 Acts 3:22”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification