Acts 2:31
What does Acts 2:31 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 2:31 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 2:31 means
Peter reveals the prophetic nature of David's words: 'he foreseeing this spake of the resurrection of the Christ.' This declares that David's prophecy was specifically about the Messiah. He again emphasizes that the Christ was 'not left unto Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption,' directly fulfilling the psalm. This directly contrasts with David's own experience, confirming that Jesus is the promised 'Holy One' who conquered death by resurrection.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000he foreseeing this spake of the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was he left unto Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption.
KJV
King James Version · 1611He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901he foreseeing this spake of the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was he left unto Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949He, having knowledge of the future, was talking of the coming again of Christ from the dead, that he was not kept in hell and his body did not see destruction.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862having foreseen, he did speak concerning the rising again of the Christ, that his soul was not left to hades, nor did his flesh see corruption.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Foreseeing this, he spoke of the resurrection of Christ. For neither was he left in hell: neither did his flesh see corruption.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890he, seeing [it] before, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that neither has he been left in hades nor his flesh seen corruption.
Context
This verse is a pivotal interpretive statement, directly applying David's prophecy to Jesus. Following the explanation of David's prophetic understanding in the previous verse, Peter explicitly states that David foresaw and spoke of Christ's resurrection. This assertion immediately leads to the definitive declaration in the next verse that God indeed raised this Jesus, confirming the apostles' eyewitness testimony.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Peter 1:11
searching what time or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did point unto, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glories that should follow them.
- Acts 2:27
Because thou wilt not leave my soul unto Hades, Neither wilt thou give thy Holy One to see corruption.
- Psalms 16:10
For thou wilt not leave my soul to Sheol; Neither wilt thou suffer thy holy one to see corruption.
- Acts 13:35
Because he saith also in another psalm, Thou wilt not give thy Holy One to see corruption.
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