Acts 13:36
What does Acts 13:36 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 13:36 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 13:36 means
Paul clarifies why Psalm 16:10 cannot refer to King David, despite his righteous life. He explains that David, true to his generation, served God’s purpose and then 'fell asleep' (a euphemism for death) and was buried with his ancestors. Crucially, David's body *did* 'see corruption,' meaning it underwent natural decay. This historical fact demonstrates that David, though a great king, was merely human and subject to death's physical processes, thus proving that the prophecy of incorruption must point to someone else, namely Jesus.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For David, after he had in his own generation served the counsel of God, fell asleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:
KJV
King James Version · 1611For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For David, after he had in his own generation served the counsel of God, fell asleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Now David, having done God's work for his generation, went to sleep, and was put with his fathers, and his body came to destruction:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for David, indeed, his own generation having served by the will of God, did fall asleep, and was added unto his fathers, and saw corruption,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For David, when he had served in his generation, according to the will of God, slept: and was laid unto his fathers and saw corruption.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For David indeed, having in his own generation ministered to the will ofGod, fell asleep, and was added to his fathers and saw corruption.
Context
Having quoted Psalm 16:10 in verse 35 to describe a 'Holy One' who would not see corruption, Paul uses this verse to explicitly show that King David *did* experience corruption in death. This direct contrast is vital for proving that David himself was not the fulfillment of this prophecy. This explanation immediately precedes and sets up the powerful conclusion in verse 37, where Paul definitively states that only Jesus fully satisfies the prophecy, thereby building an irrefutable case for Jesus's unique resurrection and Messianic identity.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Corinthians 15:6
then he appeared to above five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain until now, but some are fallen asleep;
- Job 19:26
And after my skin, eventhisbody, is destroyed, Then without my flesh shall I see God;
- 2 Chronicles 21:1
And Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David: and Jehoram his son reigned in his stead.
- 2 Samuel 7:12
When thy days are fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, that shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.
- Acts 13:22
And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king; to whom also he bare witness and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my heart, who shall do all my will.
- 1 Chronicles 15:12
and said unto them, Ye are the heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of Jehovah, the God of Israel, unto the place that I have prepared for it.
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