King James Version

What Does Acts 2:29 Mean?

Acts 2:29 in the King James Version says “Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchr... — study this verse from Acts chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. let me: or, I may

Acts 2:29 · KJV


Context

27

Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

28

Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.

29

Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. let me: or, I may

30

Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;

31

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


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Peter's rhetorical move - 'let me freely speak' (Greek 'meta parresías,' with boldness) - signals his shift from exposition to application. Acknowledging David's death and burial ('his sepulchre is with us unto this day') distinguishes patriarch from Messiah. The visible tomb proved David's words couldn't refer to himself, requiring prophetic interpretation. This hermeneutical principle - distinguishing personal experience from prophetic vision - unlocks Christocentric reading of the Psalms.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

David's tomb on Mount Zion was Jerusalem's most venerated site after the Temple. Its continued presence was irrefutable evidence David hadn't experienced resurrection, forcing Peter's audience to recognize the prophecy's true subject. Josephus describes the tomb's magnificence and Herod's attempted plundering.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you discern when Old Testament passages speak of their immediate context versus messianic prophecy?
  2. What does David's tomb's preservation 'unto this day' teach about God's providential preparation for gospel proclamation?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 28 words
Ἄνδρες1 of 28

Men

G435

a man (properly as an individual male)

ἀδελφοί2 of 28

and brethren

G80

a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)

ἐξὸν3 of 28

me

G1832

so also ???? <pronunciation strongs="ex-on'"/> neuter present participle of the same (with or without some form of g1510 expressed); impersonally, it

εἰπεῖν4 of 28

let

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

μετὰ5 of 28

freely

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

παῤῥησίας6 of 28
G3954

all out-spokenness, i.e., frankness, bluntness, publicity; by implication, assurance

πρὸς7 of 28

unto

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

ὑμᾶς8 of 28

you

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

περὶ9 of 28

of

G4012

properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas

τοῦ10 of 28
G3588

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

πατριάρχου11 of 28

the patriarch

G3966

a progenitor ("patriarch")

Δαβίδ12 of 28

David

G1138

david, the israelite king

ὅτι13 of 28

that

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

καὶ14 of 28

and

G2532

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

ἐτελεύτησεν15 of 28

dead

G5053

to finish life (by implication, of g0979), i.e., expire (demise)

καὶ16 of 28

and

G2532

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

ἐτάφη17 of 28

buried

G2290

to celebrate funeral rites, i.e., inter

καὶ18 of 28

and

G2532

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

τὸ19 of 28
G3588

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

μνῆμα20 of 28

sepulchre

G3418

a memorial, i.e., sepulchral monument (burial-place)

αὐτοῦ21 of 28

his

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

ἔστιν22 of 28

is

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

ἐν23 of 28

with

G1722

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

ἡμῖν24 of 28

us

G2254

to (or for, with, by) us

ἄχρι25 of 28

unto

G891

(of time) until or (of place) up to

τῆς26 of 28
G3588

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

ἡμέρας27 of 28

day

G2250

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

ταύτης28 of 28
G3778

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


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 2:29 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 2:29 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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