Acts 2:31 - Printer Friendly

ESV: he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption.

NIV: Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay.

NASB: he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that He was neither abandoned to Hades, nor did His flesh suffer decay.

CSB: Seeing what was to come, he spoke concerning the resurrection of the Messiah: He was not abandoned in Hades, and his flesh did not experience decay.

NLT: David was looking into the future and speaking of the Messiah’s resurrection. He was saying that God would not leave him among the dead or allow his body to rot in the grave.

KJV: He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

NKJV: he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption.

Peter is using David's prophecy of Psalm 16:8–11 to explain that Jesus of Nazareth is David's heir who will sit on his throne for eternity. Near the end of a psalm wherein David speaks for himself, there is one verse where he speaks for his Lord (Psalm 16:10). This verse can't apply to David; not only is David dead, and his body "corrupted" or decayed, Peter and his audience know where David's tomb is (Acts 2:29).

David was a prophet, as many of his psalms prove. And he knew that God promised he would have an heir who would reign over Israel forever (2 Samuel 7:16). So, David saw that this heir would die, but would rise again; he would not stay in the place of the dead—not even long enough for his body to decay. These are very specific qualifications that have only been fulfilled in one person: Jesus (Acts 2:32).

Peter uses the word "Christ" which is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word mashiyach, which we translate "Messiah." Jesus' disciples understood Him to be the Messiah (Mark 8:27–29), but they were very confused about what the Messiah was. They knew the Messiah was the promised one of Isaiah 9:1–7, whom they believed would free Israel from Roman rule and usher in a time of great peace and prosperity. They didn't understand He was also the suffering servant of Isaiah 53 who had to die for the sins of the world. Even in the very last moments before Jesus ascended into heaven, the disciples thought He would take control of the nation (Acts 1:6). It wasn't until they received the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1–4) that they understood that, for now, His kingdom is in the hearts of His people (John 18:36).

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.