The Meaning of Acts 10:48 Explained

Acts 10:48

KJV: And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

YLT: he commanded them also to be baptized in the name of the Lord; then they besought him to remain certain days.

Darby: And he commanded them to be baptised in the name of the Lord. Then they begged him to stay some days.

ASV: And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  he commanded  them  to be baptized  in  the name  of the Lord.  Then  prayed they  him  to tarry  certain  days. 

What does Acts 10:48 Mean?

Context Summary

Acts 10:34-48 - Gentiles Receive The Holy Spirit
The address with which Peter answered the centurion's inquiry was largely a recapitulation of the great facts of gospel history. The ministry of Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit was probably already familiar to his hearers. The story of the crucifixion was equally well-known. These things were not done in a corner. But the third division of the address, Acts 10:39-41, in which the Apostle told of the Resurrection and of our Lord's appearance to chosen witnesses, of whom he was one, was probably replete with new and startling tidings. Notice the implied invitation of Acts 10:43 to them all to believe in Jesus, for the remission of sin.
The Holy Spirit fell upon the audience, as on the day of Pentecost, Acts 10:44. There must have been that wonderful stirring and moving among the people which we have beheld, in a modified form, in modern audiences, when moved by the celestial wind, as a harvest field by the breeze. Peter never finished his sermon. It seemed as if the Holy Spirit put the Apostle aside, saying, "Thou hast spoken enough; leave the rest to me!" [source]

Chapter Summary: Acts 10

1  Cornelius, a devout man, being commanded by an angel, sends for Peter,
11  who by a vision is taught not to despise the Gentiles;
17  and is commanded by the Spirit to go with the messenger to Caesarea
25  Cornelius shows the occasion of his sending for him
34  As he preaches Christ to Cornelius and his company,
44  the Holy Spirit falls on them, and they are baptized

Greek Commentary for Acts 10:48

Commanded [προσεταχεν]
First aorist active indicative. Peter himself abstained from baptizing on this occasion (cf. Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:14). Evidently it was done by the six Jewish brethren. [source]
Them to be baptized [αυτους βαπτιστηναι]
Accusative of general reference with the first aorist passive infinitive. In the name of Jesus Christ (εν τωι ονοματι Ιησου Χριστου — en tōi onomati Iēsou Christou). The essential name in Christian baptism as in Acts 2:38; Acts 19:5. But these passages give the authority for the act, not the formula that was employed (Alvah Hovey in Hackett‘s Commentary. See also chapter on the Baptismal Formula in my The Christ of the Logia). “Golden days” (αυρει διες — aurei dies Bengel) were these for the whole group. [source]
In the name of Jesus Christ [εν τωι ονοματι Ιησου Χριστου]
The essential name in Christian baptism as in Acts 2:38; Acts 19:5. But these passages give the authority for the act, not the formula that was employed (Alvah Hovey in Hackett‘s Commentary. See also chapter on the Baptismal Formula in my The Christ of the Logia). “Golden days” (αυρει διες — aurei dies Bengel) were these for the whole group. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 10:48

Matthew 28:19 In the name [εἰς τὸ ὄνομα]
Rev., correctly, “into the name.” Baptizing into the name has a twofold meaning. 1. Unto, denoting object or purpose, as εἰς μετάνοιαν , unto repentance (Matthew 3:11); εἰς ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν , for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). 2. Into, denoting union or communion with, as Romans 6:3, “baptized into Christ Jesus; into his death;” i.e., we are brought by baptism into fellowship with his death. Baptizing into the name of the Holy Trinity implies a spiritual and mystical union with him. E ἰς , into, is the preposition commonly used with baptize. See Acts 8:16; Acts 19:3, Acts 19:5; 1 Corinthians 1:13, 1 Corinthians 1:15; 1 Corinthians 10:2; Galatians 3:27. In Acts 2:38, however, Peter says, “Be baptized upon ( ἐπὶ ) the name of Jesus Christ; and in Acts 10:48, he commands Cornelius and his friends to be baptized in ( ἐν ) the name of the Lord. To be baptized upon the name is to be baptized on the confession of that which the name implies: on the ground of the name; so that the name Jesus, as the contents of the faith and confession, is the ground upon which the becoming baptized rests. In the name ( ἐν ) has reference to the sphere within which alone true baptism is accomplished. The name is not the mere designation, a sense which would give to the baptismal formula merely the force of acharm. The name, as in the Lord's Prayer (“Hallowed be thy name”), is the expression of the sum total of the divine Being: not his designation as God or Lord, but the formula in which all his attributes and characteristics are summed up. It is equivalent to his person. The finite mind can deal with him only through his name; but his name is of no avail detached from his nature. When one is baptized into the name of the Trinity, he professes to acknowledge and appropriate God in all that he is and in all that he does for man. He recognizes and depends upon God the Father as his Creator and Preserver; receives Jesus Christ as his only Mediator and Redeemer, and his pattern of life; and confesses the Holy Spirit as his Sanctifier and Comforter. [source]
Matthew 18:5 In my name [επι τωι ονοματι μου]
For “one such little child” (ανψ βελιεςερ ιν Χριστ — any believer in Christ) Luke (Luke 9:48) has “this little child” as a representative or symbol. “On the basis or ground of my name,” “for my sake.” Very much like εις ονομα — eis onoma in Matthew 10:41 which does not differ greatly from εν ονοματι — en onomati (Acts 10:48). [source]
Acts 11:14 Whereby thou shalt be saved, thou and all thy house [εν οις σωτησηι συ και πας ο οικος σου]
Future passive indicative of σωζω — sōzō to save. Clearly Cornelius was unsaved in spite of his interest in Jewish worship. Clearly also the household of Cornelius would likewise be won to Christ by the words of Simon Peter. This is household conversion before the household baptism (Acts 10:48; Acts 11:17). [source]
Acts 2:38 And be baptized every one of you [και βαπτιστητω εκαστος μων]
Rather, “And let each one of you be baptized.” Change of number from plural to singular and of person from second to third. This change marks a break in the thought here that the English translation does not preserve. The first thing to do is make a radical and complete change of heart and life. Then let each one be baptized after this change has taken place, and the act of baptism be performed “in the name of Jesus Christ” In accordance with the command of Jesus in Matthew 28:19 No distinction is to be insisted on between εις το ονομα — eis to onoma and εν τωι ονοματι — en tōi onomati with βαπτιζω — baptizō since εις — eis and εν — en are really the same word in origin. In Acts 10:48 εν τωι ονοματι Ιησου Χριστου — en tōi onomati Iēsou Christou occurs, but εις — eis to ονομα — onoma in Acts 8:16; Acts 19:5. The use of ονομα — onoma means in the name or with the authority of one as εις ονομα προπητου — eis onoma prophētou (Matthew 10:41) as a prophet, in the name of a prophet. In the Acts the full name of the Trinity does not occur in baptism as in Matthew 28:19, but this does not show that it was not used. The name of Jesus Christ is the distinctive one in Christian baptism and really involves the Father and the Spirit. See note on Matthew 28:19 for discussion of this point. “Luke does not give the form of words used in baptism by the Apostles, but merely states the fact that they baptized those who acknowledged Jesus as Messiah or as Lord” (Page). Unto the remission of your sins (eis aphesin tōn hamartiōn hūmōn). This phrase is the subject of endless controversy as men look at it from the standpoint of sacramental or of evangelical theology. In themselves the words can express aim or purpose for that use of eis does exist as in 1 Corinthians 2:7 εις απεσιν των αμαρτιων μων — eis doxan hēmōn (for our glory). But then another usage exists which is just as good Greek as the use of εις — eis for aim or purpose. It is seen in Matthew 10:41 in three examples εις δοχαν ημων — eis onoma prophētouεις — dikaiouεις ονομα προπητου δικαιου ματητου — mathētou where it cannot be purpose or aim, but rather the basis or ground, on the basis of the name of prophet, righteous man, disciple, because one is, etc. It is seen again in Matthew 12:41 about the preaching of Jonah (εις το κηρυγμα Ιωνα — eis to kērugma Iōna). They repented because of (or at) the preaching of Jonah. The illustrations of both usages are numerous in the N.T. and the Koiné{[28928]}š generally (Robertson, Grammar, p. 592). One will decide the use here according as he believes that baptism is essential to the remission of sins or not. My view is decidedly against the idea that Peter, Paul, or any one in the New Testament taught baptism as essential to the remission of sins or the means of securing such remission. So I understand Peter to be urging baptism on each of them who had already turned (repented) and for it to be done in the name of Jesus Christ on the basis of the forgiveness of sins which they had already received. The gift of the Holy Ghost The gift consists (Acts 8:17) in the Holy Spirit (genitive of identification). [source]
1 Corinthians 1:13 Was Paul crucified for you? [Μη Παυλος εσταυρωτη υπερ υμων]
An indignant “No” is demanded by μη — mē Paul shows his tact by employing himself as the illustration, rather than Apollos or Cephas. Probably υπερ — huper over, in behalf of, rather than περι — peri (concerning, around) is genuine, though either makes good sense here. In the Koiné{[28928]}š υπερ — huper encroaches on περι — peri as in 2 Thessalonians 2:1. Were ye baptized into the name of Paul? (εις το ονομα Παυλου εβαπτιστητε — eis to onoma Paulou ebaptisthēte̱). It is unnecessary to say into for εις — eis rather than in since εις — eis is the same preposition originally as εν — en and both are used with βαπτιζω — baptizō as in Acts 8:16; Acts 10:48 with no difference in idea (Robertson, Grammar, p. 592). Paul evidently knows the idea in Matthew 28:19 and scouts the notion of being put on a par with Christ or the Trinity. He is no rival of Christ. This use of ονομα — onoma for the person is not only in the lxx, but the papyri, ostraca, and inscriptions give numerous examples of the name of the king or the god for the power and authority of the king or god (Deissmann, Bible Studies, pp. 146ff., 196ff.; Light from the Ancient East, p. 121). [source]
1 Corinthians 1:13 Were ye baptized into the name of Paul? [εις το ονομα Παυλου εβαπτιστητε]
It is unnecessary to say into for εις — eis rather than in since εις — eis is the same preposition originally as εν — en and both are used with βαπτιζω — baptizō as in Acts 8:16; Acts 10:48 with no difference in idea (Robertson, Grammar, p. 592). Paul evidently knows the idea in Matthew 28:19 and scouts the notion of being put on a par with Christ or the Trinity. He is no rival of Christ. This use of ονομα — onoma for the person is not only in the lxx, but the papyri, ostraca, and inscriptions give numerous examples of the name of the king or the god for the power and authority of the king or god (Deissmann, Bible Studies, pp. 146ff., 196ff.; Light from the Ancient East, p. 121). [source]
1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ did not send me to be a baptizer [present active infinitive, linear action)]
(present active infinitive, linear action) like John the Baptist. But to preach the gospel (ευαγγελιον — alla euaggelizesthai). This is Paul‘s idea of his mission from Christ, as Christ‘s apostle, to be a gospelizer. This led, of course, to baptism, as a result, but Paul usually had it done by others as Peter at Caesarea ordered the baptism to be done, apparently by the six brethren with him (Acts 10:48). Paul is fond of this late Greek verb from ουκ εν σοπιαι λογου — euaggelion and sometimes uses both verb and substantive as in 1 Corinthians 15:1 “the gospel which I gospelized unto you.” Not in wisdom of words Note μη — ou not απεστειλεν — mē (the subjective negative), construed with ινα μη κενωτηι ο σταυρος του Χριστου — apesteilen rather than the infinitive. Not in wisdom of speech (singular). Preaching was Paul‘s forte, but it was not as a pretentious philosopher or professional rhetorician that Paul appeared before the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 2:1-5). Some who followed Apollos may have been guilty of a fancy for external show, though Apollos was not a mere performer and juggler with words. But the Alexandrian method as in Philo did run to dialectic subtleties and luxuriant rhetoric (Lightfoot). Lest the cross of Christ should be made void (ινα μη — hina mē kenōthēi ho stauros tou Christou). Negative purpose (κενοω — hina mē) with first aorist passive subjunctive, effective aorist, of κενος — kenoō old verb from kenos to make empty. In Paul‘s preaching the Cross of Christ is the central theme. Hence Paul did not fall into the snare of too much emphasis on baptism nor into too little on the death of Christ. “This expression shows clearly the stress which St. Paul laid on the death of Christ, not merely as a great moral spectacle, and so the crowning point of a life of self-renunciation, but as in itself the ordained instrument of salvation” (Lightfoot). [source]
1 Corinthians 1:17 But to preach the gospel [ευαγγελιον]
This is Paul‘s idea of his mission from Christ, as Christ‘s apostle, to be a gospelizer. This led, of course, to baptism, as a result, but Paul usually had it done by others as Peter at Caesarea ordered the baptism to be done, apparently by the six brethren with him (Acts 10:48). Paul is fond of this late Greek verb from ουκ εν σοπιαι λογου — euaggelion and sometimes uses both verb and substantive as in 1 Corinthians 15:1 “the gospel which I gospelized unto you.” [source]

What do the individual words in Acts 10:48 mean?

He commanded now them in the name of Jesus Christ to be baptized Then they asked him to remain days some
προσέταξεν δὲ αὐτοὺς ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ βαπτισθῆναι τότε ἠρώτησαν αὐτὸν ἐπιμεῖναι ἡμέρας τινάς

προσέταξεν  He  commanded 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: προστάσσω  
Sense: to assign or ascribe to, join to.
δὲ  now 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
ὀνόματι  name 
Parse: Noun, Dative Neuter Singular
Root: ὄνομα  
Sense: name: univ.
Ἰησοῦ  of  Jesus 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: Ἰησοῦς  
Sense: Joshua was the famous captain of the Israelites, Moses’ successor.
Χριστοῦ  Christ 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: Χριστός  
Sense: Christ was the Messiah, the Son of God.
βαπτισθῆναι  to  be  baptized 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Passive
Root: βαπτίζω  
Sense: to dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge (of vessels sunk).
ἠρώτησαν  they  asked 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: ἐρωτάω  
Sense: to question.
ἐπιμεῖναι  to  remain 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Active
Root: ἐπιμένω  
Sense: to stay at or with, to tarry still, still to abide, to continue, remain.
ἡμέρας  days 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Plural
Root: ἡμέρα  
Sense: the day, used of the natural day, or the interval between sunrise and sunset, as distinguished from and contrasted with the night.
τινάς  some 
Parse: Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun, Accusative Feminine Plural
Root: τὶς  
Sense: a certain, a certain one.