What does "repentance for the forgiveness of sins" mean in Luke 24:47? Text and Immediate Context Luke 24:47 : “and in His name repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” The risen Christ is speaking, commissioning the disciples after grounding their faith in His bodily resurrection (24:36-43) and “opening their minds to understand the Scriptures” (24:45). Verse 47 summarizes the message—and the order—of gospel proclamation: (1) repentance, (2) resulting forgiveness, (3) universal scope, (4) rooted in Christ’s name. Definition of “Repentance” (Μετάνοια, metanoia) Metanoia denotes a change of mind that issues in a change of direction (cf. Luke 3:8; Acts 26:20). It is not mere remorse (μετάμελος) but a Spirit-enabled turning from sin toward God (Isaiah 55:7). The Septuagint uses the cognate in passages such as Ezekiel 18:30-32, capturing covenantal return. Jesus’ ministry began with the same summons (Mark 1:15), showing continuity between His earthly preaching and His post-resurrection mandate. “For the Forgiveness of Sins” The preposition εἰς (“for”) indicates purpose/result. Forgiveness (ἄφεσις) is release from debt or captivity. In Luke-Acts the term is tied to Christ’s blood (Luke 22:20; Acts 2:38) and prophetic promise (Jeremiah 31:34). Repentance is the human response; forgiveness is the divine act grounded in the cross-resurrection event (Romans 4:25). Old Testament Foundations The covenant formula “Return…that your sins may be blotted out” (Isaiah 44:22) anticipates Luke 24:47. Day of Atonement imagery (Leviticus 16) prefigures the definitive sacrifice (Hebrews 9:12). Prophets link national and individual turning with pardon (Hosea 6:1-3). Thus the command rests on a seamless canonical storyline. Christ’s Resurrection as Ground and Guarantee Luke places repentance-forgiveness after the resurrection proof to show that God’s acceptance of the sacrifice is confirmed historically (Acts 17:31). Joseph of Arimathea’s tomb, empty and located near Jerusalem, fits the mandate to begin preaching “in Jerusalem.” Early creedal material (1 Corinthians 15:3-5) corroborates that the risen Christ personally authorizes the offer of forgiveness. Universal Mission, Particular Starting Point “Beginning at Jerusalem” honors divine faithfulness to Israel (Romans 1:16). Archaeological evidence—the Pilate Stone (Caesarea), the Nazareth Decree, and first-century ossuaries bearing “Jesus” and “James son of Joseph”—places the gospel in verifiable history. From that datable locus, the message moves “to all nations,” fulfilling Genesis 12:3. Theological Synthesis 1. Repentance is the Spirit-wrought turning of the whole person to God. 2. Forgiveness is judicial acquittal based on Christ’s atoning death and vindicating resurrection. 3. The two are inseparable in application but logically distinguished: repentance appropriates the accomplished redemption. 4. The proclamation is mediated through human messengers yet empowered by the risen Lord (Acts 1:8). Practical and Pastoral Implications Preaching must call hearers to conscious turning, not abstract belief. Assurance of pardon rests not in intensity of emotion but in the objective work of Christ. Counseling addicted or traumatized individuals integrates repentance with ongoing sanctification (2 Timothy 2:25-26). Congregations exhibit corporate repentance (Revelation 2–3), modelling continual reform. Historical Reception Patristic writers—Ignatius (Ephesians 15) and Irenaeus (AH 3.4.3)—echo Luke 24:47’s formula. The Didache (4:14) instructs confession “that your sacrifice may be pure,” reflecting the earliest church’s link between repentance and forgiveness. Reformation catechisms retain the same order, emphasizing sola fide while insisting faith is inseparable from repentant turning. Summary Statement “Repentance for the forgiveness of sins” in Luke 24:47 is the divinely mandated announcement that through the risen Jesus, sinners who turn from self and sin to God receive full judicial release, beginning historically in Jerusalem and extending to every nation until the end of the age. |
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