Devine Scripture

Acts 13:32

What does Acts 13:32 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 13:32 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 13:32 means

Paul states that he and Barnabas are bringing 'good tidings'—the gospel—concerning the promise God made to their ancestors. This promise encompassed God's covenant with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David, which ultimately pointed to the coming of the Messiah and the salvation He would bring. Paul establishes a direct link between the ancient promises of God and the present reality of Jesus, emphasizing that the gospel is not a new invention but the divinely intended fulfillment of long-held expectations. This connects their message to the Jewish scriptures.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And we are giving you the good news of the undertaking made to the fathers,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`And we to you do proclaim good news--that the promise made unto the fathers,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And we declare unto you that the promise which was made to our fathers,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And we declare unto you the glad tidings of the promise made to the fathers,

Context

After presenting the irrefutable fact of Jesus's resurrection and the evidence from eyewitnesses in verse 31, Paul transitions in this verse to explain the *meaning* of these events. He frames the resurrection within the context of God's ancient promises to the fathers. This sets the theological stage for explaining how Jesus's resurrection is the ultimate fulfillment of those promises, as further elaborated in verses 33-35, connecting the gospel directly to their Hebrew heritage.

v.31and 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.

v.32This passage

v.33that God hath fulfilled the same unto our children, in that he raised up Jesus; as also it is written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.

Cross references

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

  • Zechariah 13:7

    Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith Jehovah of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered; and I will turn my hand upon the little ones.

  • Luke 1:54

    He hath given help to Israel his servant, That he might remember mercy

  • Romans 4:13

    For not through the law was the promise to Abraham or to his seed that he should be heir of the world, but through the righteousness of faith.

  • Acts 3:19

    Repent ye therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that so there may come seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord;

  • Luke 1:19

    And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and I was sent to speak unto thee, and to bring thee these good tidings.

  • Galatians 3:16

    Now to Abraham were the promises spoken, and to his seed. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

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