King James Version

What Does Acts 13:22 Mean?

Acts 13:22 in the King James Version says “And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I ... — study this verse from Acts chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.

Acts 13:22 · KJV


Context

20

And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.

21

And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.

22

And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.

23

Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:

24

When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God's testimony about David - 'I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will' - connects Jesus to Davidic promises. Paul's citation emphasizes that God's choice rested on character ('after mine own heart') rather than external qualifications, pointing forward to Jesus as David's greater Son who perfectly fulfills God's will.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This quotation combines 1 Samuel 13:14 and Psalm 89:20, showing how early Christian preaching wove Scripture together to demonstrate Jesus's messianic credentials. David's flawed life found ultimate fulfillment in Christ's perfect obedience.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean to be a person 'after God's own heart' despite personal failures and sins?
  2. How does understanding Jesus as David's fulfillment change your reading of David's story?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 29 words
καὶ1 of 29

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

μεταστήσας2 of 29

when he had removed

G3179

to transfer, i.e., carry away, depose or (figuratively) exchange, seduce

αὐτοῖς3 of 29

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἤγειρεν4 of 29

he raised up

G1453

to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from

αὐτοῖς5 of 29

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

τὸν6 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Δαβὶδ7 of 29

David

G1138

david, the israelite king

εἰς8 of 29

to be

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

βασιλέα9 of 29

their king

G935

a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively)

ὃς10 of 29

to whom

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

καὶ11 of 29

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

εἶπεν12 of 29

and said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

μαρτυρήσας13 of 29

he gave testimony

G3140

to be a witness, i.e., testify (literally or figuratively)

Εὗρον14 of 29

I have found

G2147

to find (literally or figuratively)

Δαβὶδ15 of 29

David

G1138

david, the israelite king

τὸν16 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

τοῦ17 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰεσσαί18 of 29

the son of Jesse

G2421

jessae (i.e., jishai), an israelite

ἄνδρα19 of 29

a man

G435

a man (properly as an individual male)

κατὰ20 of 29

after

G2596

(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)

τὴν21 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

καρδίαν22 of 29

heart

G2588

the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle

μου23 of 29

mine own

G3450

of me

ὃς24 of 29

to whom

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ποιήσει25 of 29

shall fulfil

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

πάντα26 of 29

all

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

τὰ27 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θελήματά28 of 29

will

G2307

a determination (properly, the thing), i.e., (actively) choice (specially, purpose, decree; abstractly, volition) or (passively) inclination

μου29 of 29

mine own

G3450

of me


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 13:22 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 13:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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