Acts 2:34
What does Acts 2:34 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 2:34 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 2:34 means
To further prove Jesus' exalted position at God's right hand, Peter again quotes David, demonstrating that David himself recognized a 'Lord' distinct from himself, who would sit at the 'right hand' of God. Peter argues that David 'ascended not into the heavens,' meaning David's words could not refer to his own exaltation but rather to a greater, divine figure who would occupy this unique place of power and authority—the Messiah.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For David ascended not into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
KJV
King James Version · 1611For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For David ascended not into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For David has not gone up into heaven, but says, himself, The Lord said to my Lord, Be seated at my right hand,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for David did not go up to the heavens, and he saith himself: The Lord saith to my lord, Sit thou at my right hand,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For David ascended not into heaven; but he himself said: The Lord said to my Lord: Sit thou on my right hand,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For David has not ascended into the heavens, but he says himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit at my right hand
Context
Having connected Jesus' exaltation and the Spirit's outpouring to what the crowd had seen and heard, Peter provides further scriptural proof for Jesus' exalted status. This verse quotes another psalm of David, using the argument that David himself did not ascend to heaven, setting up the explanation in the next verse that David was prophesying about a different 'Lord' altogether.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 110:1
Jehovah saith unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, Until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
- 1 Corinthians 15:25
For he must reign, till he hath put all his enemies under his feet.
- Matthew 22:42
saying, What think ye of the Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The son of David.
- Ephesians 1:22
and he put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church,
- Mark 12:36
David himself said in the Holy Spirit, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Till I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet.
- Luke 20:42
For David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
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