King James Version

What Does Acts 13:33 Mean?

Acts 13:33 in the King James Version says “God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the ... — study this verse from Acts chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.

Acts 13:33 · KJV


Context

31

And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.

32

And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,

33

God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.

34

And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David. mercies: Gr. holy, or just things: which word the Septuagint in many places, uses for that which is in the Hebrew, mercies

35

Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God hath fulfilled (ἐκπεπλήρωκεν) uses the perfect tense—God's fulfillment stands complete and permanent. The promise made to 'the fathers' now reaches 'their children' (ἡμῖν τοῖς τέκνοις αὐτῶν), demonstrating covenant continuity across generations.

Paul quotes Psalm 2:7Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee (Υἱός μου εἶ σύ, ἐγὼ σήμερον γεγέννηκά σε). The phrase 'this day' (σήμερον) points to resurrection as the moment of Christ's public declaration as Son (Romans 1:4). The verb begotten (γεγέννηκά) doesn't mean Jesus became God's Son at resurrection—He is eternally Son—but that resurrection was His coronation, the public vindication of His Sonship.

This is apostolic hermeneutics: Old Testament psalms about Israel's king find ultimate fulfillment in Jesus. What David's sons shadowed imperfectly, Christ fulfills perfectly. Psalm 2's enthronement psalm becomes resurrection declaration—the crucified Jesus is God's anointed King.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Psalm 2 was used in Davidic coronations, celebrating the king as God's 'son.' But no Davidic king conquered death or ruled eternally. Paul, like other NT writers (Hebrews 1:5, 5:5), applies this psalm to Jesus' resurrection-exaltation, showing how Christ alone fulfills royal psalms completely. First-century Jews debated Psalm 2's fulfillment; Paul declares it fulfilled in the risen Jesus.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding Psalm 2 as a resurrection text change your reading of the Old Testament?
  2. What does Jesus' resurrection-coronation as 'Son' teach about His authority over your life today?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 27 words
ὅτι1 of 27
G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ταύτην2 of 27
G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

3 of 27
G3588

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

θεὸς4 of 27

God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

ἐκπεπλήρωκεν5 of 27

hath fulfilled

G1603

to accomplish entirely

τοῖς6 of 27
G3588

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

τέκνοις7 of 27

children

G5043

a child (as produced)

αὐτῶν8 of 27

their

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

ἡμῖν9 of 27

unto us

G2254

to (or for, with, by) us

ἀναστήσας10 of 27

again

G450

to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)

Ἰησοῦν11 of 27

Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

ὡς12 of 27

as

G5613

which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)

καὶ13 of 27

also

G2532

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

ἐν14 of 27

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῷ15 of 27
G3588

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

ψαλμῷ16 of 27

psalm

G5568

a set piece of music, i.e., a sacred ode (accompanied with the voice, harp or other instrument; a "psalm"); collectively, the book of the psalms

τῷ17 of 27
G3588

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

δευτέρῳ18 of 27

the second

G1208

(ordinal) second (in time, place, or rank; also adverb)

γέγραπται19 of 27

it is

G1125

to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe

Υἱός20 of 27

Son

G5207

a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship

μου21 of 27

my

G3450

of me

εἶ22 of 27

art

G1488

thou art

σύ23 of 27

Thou

G4771

thou

ἐγὼ24 of 27

have I

G1473

i, me

σήμερον25 of 27

this day

G4594

on the (i.e., this) day (or night current or just passed); generally, now (i.e., at present, hitherto)

γεγέννηκά26 of 27

begotten

G1080

to procreate (properly, of the father, but by extension of the mother); figuratively, to regenerate

σε27 of 27

thee

G4571

thee


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 13:33 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 13:33 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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