2:40a
With many other words: This phrase indicates that Peter spoke much more.
he testified: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as testified can also mean “warned.” Peter probably did both. He probably told the crowd about other evidence that Jesus was the Christ. He probably also told them forcefully that they should heed his words and believe in Jesus, if they did not want God to punish them. Of course, this does not mean that Peter spoke harshly or unkindly to them. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
Peter made his appeal to them (Good News Translation)
-or-
he testified further and advised them to listen
-or-
he explained more about Jesus as the Christ, warning them to take heed
2:40b
he urged them: The tense on the Greek verb probably indicates that Peter urged them for some time. He urged them more than once during his speech.
Be saved: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as Be saved is a command to allow God to rescue the person from the consequences of sin. The Greek clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:
⌊ask God⌋ to save you
-or-
⌊allow God⌋ to save you
this corrupt generation: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as corrupt is literally “crooked” (as in the Revised Standard Version). The phrase refers to the Jewish people living at that time. They had rejected Jesus. They turned away from obeying God’s laws and went their own ways. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
this perverse generation (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
this wicked people (Good News Translation)
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