Acts 2:23
What does Acts 2:23 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 2:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 2:23 means
In a bold and convicting statement, Peter declares that Jesus' crucifixion, though carried out by 'lawless men,' was nonetheless part of 'the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God.' This asserts God's sovereign plan over all events, including the most heinous act of human sin—the killing of His Son. While holding his audience accountable for their role, Peter simultaneously affirms God's redemptive purpose, leading to the necessary truth of the resurrection.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000him, being delivered up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye by the hand of lawless men did crucify and slay:
KJV
King James Version · 1611Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901him, being delivered up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye by the hand of lawless men did crucify and slay:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Him, when he was given up, by the decision and knowledge of God, you put to death on the cross, by the hands of evil men:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862this one, by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, being given out, having taken by lawless hands, having crucified--ye did slay;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752This same being delivered up, by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, you by the hands of wicked men have crucified and slain.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890— him, given up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge ofGod, ye, by [the] hand of lawless [men], have crucified and slain.
Context
Building on the affirmation of Jesus' divine authentication in the previous verse, Peter here confronts his audience with their role in His death. He boldly declares that Jesus' crucifixion, though by human hands, was part of God's sovereign plan. This sets up the dramatic and central truth of the resurrection, which immediately follows, demonstrating God's ultimate triumph over human sin.
v.22Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God unto you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him in the midst of you, even as ye yourselves know;
v.23This passage
v.24whom God raised up, having loosed the pangs of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 7:52
Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute? and they killed them that showed before of the coming of the Righteous One; of whom ye have now become betrayers and murderers;
- Luke 24:20
and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him.
- Acts 4:10
be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even in him doth this man stand here before you whole.
- Jude 1:4
For there are certain men crept in privily, even they who were of old written of beforehand unto this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
- Daniel 9:24
Seventy weeks are decreed upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy.
- Psalms 76:10
Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: The residue of wrath shalt thou gird upon thee.
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