Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 10:36

"The word which he sent unto the children of Israel, preaching good tidings of peace by Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all.) --" — Acts 10:36 (ASV)

The word. That is, this is the word, or the doctrine. Few passages in the New Testament have perplexed critics more than this. It has been difficult to ascertain to what the term "word" in the accusative case (ton logon) here refers. Our translation would lead us to suppose that it is synonymous with what is said in the following verse.

But it should be remarked that the term used there, and translated "word" as if it were a repetition of what is said here, is a different term. It is not logon, but rhma, a word, a thing; not a doctrine. I understand the first term "word" to be an introduction of the doctrine that Peter set forth, and to be governed by a preposition understood.

The whole passage may be thus expressed: Peter had been asked to teach Cornelius and his assembled friends. It was expected, of course, that he would instruct them in regard to the true doctrines of religion—the doctrine that had been communicated to the Jews. He commences, therefore, with a statement respecting the true doctrine of the Messiah, or the way of salvation that was now made known to the Jews.

"In regard to the 'word,' or the doctrine that God sent to the children of Israel, proclaiming peace through Jesus Christ, (who is Lord of all), you know already what was done, or the transactions that occurred throughout all Judea, from Galilee, where he commenced after John had preached, that this was by Jesus Christ, since God had anointed him," etc.

Peter here assumes that Cornelius had some knowledge of the principal events of the life of the Saviour, though it was obscure and imperfect; and his discourse professes only to state this more fully and clearly. He commences his discourse by stating the true doctrine on the subject and explaining more perfectly that of which Cornelius had been only imperfectly informed.

Unto the children of Israel. To the Jews. The Messiah was promised to them and spent his life among them.

Preaching. That is, proclaiming or announcing. God did this by Jesus Christ.

Peace. This word sometimes refers to the peace or union that was made between Jews and Gentiles, by breaking down the wall of division between them. But it is here used in a wider sense to denote peace or reconciliation with God. He announced the way by which humanity might be reconciled to God and might find peace.

He is Lord of all. That is, Jesus Christ. He is Sovereign, or Ruler, of both Jews and Gentiles; He is their Proprietor; and therefore Peter saw the propriety of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles as well as Jews. See John 17:2; Matthew 28:18; Ephesians 1:20–22.

This does not necessarily imply divinity, but only that the Lord Jesus, as Mediator, had been constituted or appointed Lord over all nations. It is true, however, that this is a power that we cannot conceive to have been delegated to one that was not divine. Compare Romans 9:5.

1 Peter 3:22; Revelation 17:14