Acts 5:30
What does Acts 5:30 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 5:30 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 5:30 means
Peter declares that the God of their fathers raised up Jesus, whom the council had slain by hanging Him on a tree. This ties the gospel to Israel’s history and covenant, confronting the leaders with their role in Jesus’ death. “Hanging on a tree” recalls the curse imagery from the Law, highlighting the shame and severity of the crucifixion. The resurrection is central—God reversed the leaders’ verdict and vindicated Jesus. Peter’s boldness is striking: before the highest Jewish authorities, he proclaims the risen Christ. The verse shows that the apostolic message is not a new religion but the fulfillment of God’s promises to Israel.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew, hanging him on a tree.
KJV
King James Version · 1611The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew, hanging him on a tree.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949The God of our fathers gave Jesus back to life, whom you had put to death, hanging him on a tree.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and the God of our fathers did raise up Jesus, whom ye slew, having hanged upon a tree;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The God of our fathers hath raised up Jesus, whom you put to death, hanging him upon a tree.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890TheGod of our fathers has raised up Jesus, whom ye have slain, having hanged on a cross.
Context
Following the assertion of obedience to God, Peter begins his gospel proclamation. He frames Jesus within Israel’s story, confronting the leaders with the stark reality of the cross and the triumph of the resurrection. The next verse will announce Jesus’ exaltation as Prince and Savior and the purpose of His exaltation—repentance and forgiveness for Israel. The flow builds a concise theology: the cross, the resurrection, the exaltation, and the offer of salvation. This prepares for the appeal to witness—both human and divine—in the following verse.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 10:39
And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom also they slew, hanging him on a tree.
- Luke 1:72
To show mercy towards our fathers, And to remember his holy covenant;
- Acts 13:28
And though they found no cause of death in him, yet asked they of Pilate that he should be slain.
- 1 Chronicles 29:18
O Jehovah, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee;
- Ezra 7:27
Blessed be Jehovah, the God of our fathers, who hath put such a thing as this in the king’s heart, to beautify the house of Jehovah which is in Jerusalem;
- Acts 13:33
that God hath fulfilled the same unto our children, in that he raised up Jesus; as also it is written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.
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