King James Version

What Does Acts 13:37 Mean?

Acts 13:37 in the King James Version says “But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.” — study this verse from Acts chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.”

Acts 13:37 · KJV

Context

35

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

36

For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: after: or, after he had in his own age served the will of God

37

But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.

38

Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:

39

And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption (διαφθοράν, diaphthoran)—Paul's climactic contrast in his synagogue sermon. While David saw corruption (13:36), Jesus did not. The Greek diaphthora means decay, dissolution, the biological decomposition every human body undergoes.

This resurrection proof was central to apostolic preaching (Acts 2:27-31). Peter used the same Psalm 16:10 argument at Pentecost: David's tomb was with us unto this day (2:29), but Christ's tomb was empty. Paul reasons: David died, was buried, and his body decayed—therefore Psalm 16 must speak of David's greater Son. The incorruptible resurrection body proves Jesus is the Holy One of God, vindicating His messianic claims and securing our justification (Romans 4:25).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Paul preached this in the synagogue at Pisidian Antioch (c. AD 47-48) during his first missionary journey. His careful exegesis of Psalm 16:10 reflects rabbinic interpretive methods, arguing from Scripture to prove Jesus is the promised Messiah. The synagogue audience would have known David's tomb in Jerusalem and understood Paul's logic.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the physical resurrection of Jesus (no bodily corruption) serve as proof of His deity and vindication?
  2. Why was the argument from David's decayed body versus Christ's incorruptible body so persuasive to first-century Jews?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 8 words
ὃν1 of 8

“he whom”

G3739

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

δὲ2 of 8

“But”

G1161

but, and, etc

ὁ3 of 8
G3588

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

θεὸς4 of 8

“God”

G2316

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

ἤγειρεν5 of 8

“raised again”

G1453

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

οὐκ6 of 8

“no”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

εἶδεν7 of 8

“saw”

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

διαφθοράν8 of 8

“corruption”

G1312

decay

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 13:37 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 13:37 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Acts 13:30Acts 2:24

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