Acts 2:28
What does Acts 2:28 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 2:28 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 2:28 means
Completing the Psalm 16 quotation, this verse speaks of God making known 'the ways of life' and filling with 'gladness with thy countenance.' It points to a restored relationship with God that brings fullness of joy and life. For Peter, this joy and life are ultimately found through Jesus Christ, who, by conquering death, truly revealed the path to eternal life and joy in God's presence, a gladness not fully experienced until resurrection.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Thou madest known unto me the ways of life; Thou shalt make me full of gladness with thy countenance.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Thou madest known unto me the ways of life; Thou shalt make me full of gladness with thy countenance.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949You have made me see the ways of life; I will be full of joy when I see your face.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Thou didst make known to me ways of life, Thou shalt fill me with joy with Thy countenance.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Thou hast made known to me the ways of life: thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Thou hast made known to me [the] paths of life, thou wilt fill me with joy with thy countenance.
Context
This verse concludes Peter's quotation from David's psalm, speaking of made-known ways of life and gladness in God's presence. These hopeful words directly set the stage for Peter's explanation of how this prophecy could not apply to David himself, but must refer to Jesus, as he explicitly states in the verses that immediately follow.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 21:6
For thou makest him most blessed for ever: Thou makest him glad with joy in thy presence.
- Psalms 21:4
He asked life of thee, thou gavest it him, Even length of days for ever and ever.
- Psalms 17:15
As for me, I shall behold thy face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with beholding thy form.
- Proverbs 2:19
None that go unto her return again, Neither do they attain unto the paths of life:
- Hebrews 12:2
looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
- Psalms 25:4
Show me thy ways, O Jehovah; Teach me thy paths.
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