Acts 10:38
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
Acts 10:38
This verse highlights Jesus’s anointing with the Holy Spirit and power, marking the beginning of his public mission. “Went about doing good” reflects Jesus’s compassion in acts of mercy, justice, and healing. “Oppressed of the devil” points to spiritual battle, where sickness, bondage, and oppression reflect a broken creation under sin. God’s accompaniment—“for God was with him”—signals divine endorsement and empowerment. In Luke-Acts, the Spirit’s anointing is the enabler of Jesus’s works and the proof of his messianic identity. The emphasis on healing and liberation aligns with the prophetic mandate of Messiah to bring God’s Kingdom’s effects into human experience. This verse also reframes Jesus’s miracles as signs pointing to the in-breaking of God’s reign, not merely demonstrations of power.
Theological themes include the Spirit-empowered messiah, the goodness and compassion of Jesus, and the victory over Satan’s oppression. This passage connects the Trinity’s involvement in Jesus’s ministry: the Spirit’s anointing is the means by which Jesus accomplishes God’s will. It also clarifies the mission: Jesus did not come to be served but to serve and to heal; his authority over evil foreshadows the ultimate victory on the cross and resurrection. It reaffirms the continuity between Old Testament prophecy and Jesus’s ministry.
Today, believers can relate to Jesus’s model of doing good—acts of mercy, compassion, and healing in practical ways. This can mean volunteering in outreach programs, supporting healthcare and mental health initiatives, and advocating for the vulnerable. Spirit-filled living means seeking empowerment to resist oppression—whether in personal struggles, addictions, or systemic injustices. Churches can emulate Jesus by organizing healing prayer ministries, support groups, and community aid that address physical and spiritual needs. It’s a reminder that faith should translate into tangible, compassionate action in everyday life.
Cross-References: Isaiah 61:1-2; Luke 4:18-19; Acts 1:8; Matthew 12:28; Romans 15:19