Devine Scripture

Acts 13:31

What does Acts 13:31 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 13:31 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 13:31 means

Paul provides evidence for Jesus's resurrection: He was seen for many days by those who had accompanied Him from Galilee to Jerusalem. These witnesses, who had intimately known Jesus during His earthly ministry, were now commissioned to testify to His resurrection. Their firsthand accounts provided credible and numerous testimonies, confirming that Jesus was truly alive after His crucifixion. This eyewitness testimony established the historical reality of the resurrection, making it a verifiable fact rather than a mere belief.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and he was seen for many days of them that came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses unto the people.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and he was seen for many days of them that came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses unto the people.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And for a number of days he was seen by those who came with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses before the people.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and he was seen for many days of those who did come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Who was seen for many days by them who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who to this present are his witnesses to the people.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

who appeared for many days to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people.

Context

Following the crucial declaration of Jesus's resurrection in verse 30, this verse immediately offers compelling evidence for that claim: the numerous eyewitnesses who saw Him over many days. This verification moves the resurrection from a theological assertion to a historically attested event. This solidifies the foundation for Paul's subsequent proclamation of the 'good tidings' of God's promise and its fulfillment in Jesus, which he elaborates upon in verses 32-33.

v.30But God raised him from the dead:

v.31This passage

v.32And we bring you good tidings of the promise made unto the fathers,

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 5:32

    And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

  • John 20:19

    When therefore it was evening, on that day, the firstdayof the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

  • Hebrews 2:3

    how shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation? which having at the first been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed unto us by them that heard;

  • Luke 24:36

    And as they spake these things, he himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

  • Matthew 28:16

    But the eleven disciples went into Galilee, unto the mountain where Jesus had appointed them.

  • Acts 1:3

    to whom he also showed himself alive after his passion by many proofs, appearing unto them by the space of forty days, and speaking the things concerning the kingdom of God:

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