Peter answers the question with the clause, “to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.” Jesus had told his disciples that “the Father judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son” (John 5:22; John 5:27). So Peter himself in Cornelius’ house spoke of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection and concluded that “he is the one appointed by God the Father to be judge of the living and the dead” (Acts 10:42; see also 2 Corinthians 5:10). It is true that Peter had earlier written that the “Father…judges” (1 Peter 1:17; see also 1 Peter 2:23). Those references, however, do not refer to the final judgment, that is, the judgment “of the living and the dead.” All judgment on that day belongs to Jesus Christ.
5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.