Acts 2:25 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For David says concerning him, "‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;

NIV: David said about him: " ‘I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

NASB: For David says of Him, ‘I SAW THE Lord CONTINUALLY BEFORE ME, BECAUSE HE IS AT MY RIGHT HAND, SO THAT I WILL NOT BE SHAKEN.

CSB: For David says of him: I saw the Lord ever before me; because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

NLT: King David said this about him: ‘I see that the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.

KJV: For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:

NKJV: For David says concerning Him: ‘I foresaw the Lord always before my face, For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken.

Peter is explaining to a crowd how the murder of Jesus was unjustified, that Jesus rose again, and that He is the Messiah God promised. Peter starts with a prophecy from David that David's "Lord" would not remain dead.

Acts 2:25–28 quotes David's words in Psalm 16:8–11. The wording is subtly different from how any particular English translation might render those words in its rendering of the Old Testament. As with most Old Testament quotes in the New Testament, the reference words are from the Septuagint: the Greek translation of the Hebrew/Aramaic Scriptures. There is no change in meaning, however.

Psalm 16:8–11, and therefore Acts 2:25–28, is in the form of a literary device called a chiasm. The ideas in the verses are mirrored throughout the passage. The idea of Acts 2:25–26, that the presence of God brings joy, is repeated in Acts 2:28. The comment about the psalmist's flesh dwelling in hope (Acts 2:26) is fulfilled in Acts 2:28 when he is shown the paths of life. Acts 2:27 is the core of the passage as all our hope and joy is centered around Jesus' resurrection.

In Psalm 16:8, David claims his Lord is with him and leading him; David places the Lord before himself. He chooses to follow his Lord. Having the Lord with him provides security—he will "not be shaken"—as well as joy (Psalm 16:11; Acts 2:28).

One's "right hand" is a metaphor for power and authority. To David, his Lord is the source of his power and authority. That power and authority will stand just as God's promise that David will have an eternal heir on his throne will stand (2 Samuel 7:12–13). David couldn't have had such assurance if he thought his Lord would die and not be resurrected (Acts 2:30–31).

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.