Acts 2:38

38. ἔφη omitted with אAC, which however add, what the Vulg. appears to have read, φησίν after μετανοήσατε. There is much variation in the word as well as in its position in the different MSS. and versions.

Add ὑμῶν after ἁμαρτιῶν with אABC and Vulg.

38. μετανοήσατε. This was in accordance with the directions of Jesus before His Ascension (Luke 24:47) ‘that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name.’ On the omission of both ἔφη and φησίν in this verse, cf. Acts 25:22; Acts 26:28, where the best MSS. are without any verb = he said. It should be noticed that the Vulg. has ‘Pænitentiam (inquit) agite.’

βαπτισθήτω. The verb is here singular from the close connexion with the distributive ἕκαστος, but the plural with which the verse commenced is resumed immediately in λήμψεσθε.

The exhortation to baptism is in accord with Christ’s injunction (Matthew 28:19), and though there the baptism is directed ‘to be in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost,’ and here it is only said ‘in the name of Jesus Christ,’ we are not to suppose any change made from the first ordinance, but only that as the Church was to be called Christ’s, so in mentioning the Sacrament for the admission of its members His name was specially made prominent. It was belief in Christ as the Son of God which constituted the ground of admission to the privileges of His Church. This made the whole of St Peter’s Creed (Matthew 16:16) when Christ pronounced him blessed.

δωρεὰν τ. ἁγ. πν. This is expressly stated to have been bestowed on some of the first converts (see Acts 8:17; Acts 10:44, &c.), and the prompt repentance of these earliest hearers of the truth would not be without its reward.