Acts 2:23 - Printer Friendly

ESV: this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.

NIV: This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.

NASB: this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death.

CSB: Though he was delivered up according to God’s determined plan and foreknowledge, you used lawless people to nail him to a cross and kill him.

NLT: But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him.

KJV: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

NKJV: Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death;

Peter is talking to a group of Jews who have traveled from all over the Roman Empire and the Middle East to come to Jerusalem to celebrate Pentecost (Acts 2:9–11). It's unlikely that many of these men were present fifty days prior, during the Passover, when Jesus was crucified. And Peter's words may be directed at the few locals present. But Peter still lays Jesus' death at all their feet.

God's relationship with Israel was unique. To a large extent, it was corporate—God blessed or punished the people for obedience or rebellion that was prevalent across the entire nation. Eternal salvation was individual and required individual faith (Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 11:1–2). But God often held all Jews responsible for what was done under the authority of the leadership, and the crucifixion of Jesus certainly applies (John 19:12–16). Jewish leaders and a Jewish mob delivered Jesus to be crucified by Romans: "lawless men." The ruling council of Jews had no legal reason to execute Jesus under the Mosaic law so they manipulated those outside the Mosaic law to murder Him.

God exists outside of time. When Adam and Eve sinned, He didn't have to spontaneously come up with a plan to save the human race. He always knew Adam and Eve would sin, and He always planned for Jesus to die for us (1 Peter 1:20–21). The first inkling we have is in Genesis 3:15, right after Adam and Eve sinned. But there are many more places in Scripture where God gave His people hints of what would happen (Matthew 26:56; 27:9; Mark 14:49; Luke 22:37; 24:44; John 13:18; 15:25; 17:12; 19:36–37).

"Definite" is from the Greek root word horizō, and "plan" is from the Greek root word boule. "Foreknowledge" is from the Greek root word prognōsis. Together, they mean God understood all possible conditions, outcomes, and variables, and decided His purpose would be best met by the act of Jesus' crucifixion.

Acts 2:14–36 transcribes the first sermon ever given by a Christian. The Holy Spirit that Jesus promised (John 14:16–17) has come upon 120 of His followers in Jerusalem (Acts 1:15; 2:1–4). They immediately start speaking in different languages, shocking a crowd of Jews and proselytes who are in town to celebrate Pentecost (Acts 2:5–11). Some of the crowd dismiss the speech as nonsense; others are very interested (Acts 2:12–13). Peter, combining his natural enthusiasm as spokesman for the group with wisdom from the Spirit, responds by obeying Jesus and being His witness (Acts 1:8).

Acts 2 describes the beginning of the church in three episodes. First, the Holy Spirit comes upon the Jesus-followers in Jerusalem, equipping them with the ability to teach the gospel in different languages (Acts 2:1–13). Second, Peter gives a public declaration using Old Testament prophecy to show Jesus is the long-awaited Jewish Messiah (Acts 2:14–36). Third, people believe. They repent, trust Jesus will forgive their sins, and agree to be baptized as a public sign that they are now Jesus-followers (Acts 2:37–47). That quickly, the church is born.

Acts 2 describes the creation of Jesus' church. Forty days after Jesus' resurrection He ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9). One hundred and twenty disciples obeyed His command to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4, 2–15). In Acts 2, they receive the Holy Spirit and share the gospel with a crowd of people who have come to celebrate Pentecost. Three thousand believe, and the church comes to life. In the following chapters, Jesus-followers fulfill Jesus' promise that they will be His witnesses ''in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth'' (Acts 1:8).

The summary of the book of Acts is provided in Jesus' words in Acts 1:8: ''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'' In Acts 2:1–13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14—7:60 describes the rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. Chapters 8—12 find Jewish persecution inadvertently spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. And in chapters 13—28, Paul and his companions spread the good news throughout the Roman Empire.