Acts 2:30
What does Acts 2:30 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 2:30 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 2:30 means
Peter explains that David, acting as a prophet, foresaw the Messiah's coming, knowing that God had sworn to him an oath: that one of his descendants would sit on his throne. This promise, fulfilled spiritually in Christ's eternal kingship, provides the interpretive key for understanding David's prophetic words. David's prophetic insight was not about his own resurrection but about a future descendant who would conquer death and sit on God's throne, Jesus.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins he would set one upon his throne;
KJV
King James Version · 1611Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins he would set one upon his throne;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But being a prophet, and having in mind the oath which God had given to him, that of the fruit of his body one would take his place as a king,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862a prophet, therefore, being, and knowing that with an oath God did swear to him, out of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, to raise up the Christ, to sit upon his throne,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Whereas therefore he was a prophet and knew that God hath sworn to him with an oath, that of the fruit of his loins one should sit upon his throne.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Being therefore a prophet, and knowing thatGod had sworn to him with an oath, of the fruit of his loins to set upon his throne;
Context
Building on the previous verse's argument that David himself died and was buried, this verse explains *how* David could speak prophetically about the resurrection. Peter emphasizes David's prophetic role and God's oath concerning his descendant on the throne, which prepares the reader for the direct application of David's prophecy to Christ's resurrection.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Amos 9:11
In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up its ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old;
- Hebrews 6:17
Wherein God, being minded to show more abundantly unto the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, interposed with an oath;
- Psalms 89:19
Then thou spakest in vision to thy saints, And saidst, I have laid help upon one that is mighty; I have exalted one chosen out of the people.
- Hebrews 4:7
he again defineth a certain day, To-day, saying in David so long a time afterward (even as hath been said before), To-day if ye shall hear his voice, Harden not your hearts.
- Luke 24:44
And he said unto them, These are my words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must needs be fulfilled, which are written in the law of Moses, and the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me.
- Hebrews 7:21
(for they indeed have been made priests without an oath; but he with an oath by him that saith of him, The Lord sware and will not repent himself, Thou art a priest for ever);
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