Acts 10:39

“And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem.”

He then points out that he and his fellow believers were witnesses of all that he did ‘in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem'. The country of the Jews presumably covers Judaea, Galilee and Peraea. But Jerusalem was never looked on as part of Judaea but as a city on its own. Note the emphasis on witness. These things had been seen, and there were many who could testify to them, including Peter.

It is interesting to notice the nuances that are occurring because of the nature of his audience. ‘The country of the Jews' is a description suitable for Gentiles. He stresses the beginning of the ministry as being in Galilee (of the nations) whereas he has not previously mentioned Galilee in his speeches. The mention of ‘the Lord of all' stresses that all men are involved, not only Jews. And this is the only reference by him to ‘the good news of peace', that which brought peace with God and peace between Jew and Gentile (Ephesians 2:11) and peace among men (Luke 2:14).

“Whom also they slew, hanging him on a tree.”

As regularly, following the description of Jesus' life he describes His death. Here he places emphasis on the fact that He ‘hung on a tree'. To be hung on a tree was the sign of a criminal, of one who was under a curse (Deuteronomy 21:22). They would have heard of the crucifixion of Jesus. Well let them recognise that it was because He was made a curse for us that He hung there (Galatians 3:13).