---
title: Luke 24:47
url: https://jw-apologetics.app/verses/luke-24-47/
markdown: https://jw-apologetics.app/verses/luke-24-47.md
type: verse
perspective: Protestant (historic Nicene) response to Jehovah's Witness teaching
reference: Luke 24:47
testament: NT
section: Gospels
index: https://jw-apologetics.app/llms.txt
---

# Luke 24:47

## Text (Berean Standard Bible)

> and in His name repentance and forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem.

## NWT Wording of the Key Phrase

- NWT (2013 revision): "and on the basis of his name, repentance for forgiveness of sins would be preached in all the nations—starting out from Jerusalem."

## JW Usage

Taken as Jesus commissioning the preaching work — repentance and forgiveness proclaimed to all the nations, which the Watchtower identifies with the door-to-door ministry. The phrase "on the basis of his name" is read as meaning that forgiveness is available because of the ransom Jesus provided; Jehovah remains the one who forgives.

## Protestant Usage

The commission is real, and the JW at your door is obeying what they understand of it. The question worth raising is quieter: whose name is forgiveness preached in? Through the Old Testament, forgiveness is asked for on the ground of Jehovah's name and no other. Psalm 25:11 — "for the sake of your name, O Jehovah, forgive my error." Psalm 79:9 — "deliver us and forgive our sins for the sake of your name." Psalm 54:1 — "save me, O God, by your name." The name is the ground of pardon, and Isaiah 43:25 has Jehovah say he blots out transgressions for his own sake. Here, in the risen Christ's last instruction, that whole structure is transferred. Forgiveness is now proclaimed on the basis of his name. Peter says the same at Acts 4:12 and again at Acts 10:43, that everyone believing in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name. Ask gently: in the Hebrew Scriptures, could pardon be sought in any name but Jehovah's? Then read this verse. Compare Psalms 25:11, Psalms 79:9, Hosea 13:4.

## Arguments Using This Verse

- [The Salvation-Name Dilemma](https://jw-apologetics.app/arguments/salvation-name-dilemma.md) — Old Testament — only Jehovah's name saves. New Testament — only Jesus' name saves. [Deity of Christ]