King James Version

What Does Acts 2:30 Mean?

Acts 2:30 in the King James Version says “Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according... — study this verse from Acts chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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;

Acts 2:30 · KJV


Context

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.

32

This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God's covenant oath to David that 'of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne' establishes Jesus' legal right to David's kingdom. The phrase 'according to the flesh' (Greek 'kata sarka') emphasizes Christ's genuine humanity through biological descent - He wasn't merely spiritual king but David's physical offspring through Mary. This fulfills 2 Samuel 7's promise of an eternal throne, requiring a deathless King through resurrection.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7:12-16) promised an eternal dynasty, which Solomon's failures and exile's devastation seemed to nullify. Peter declares resurrection as God's oath-keeping mechanism - Christ's endless life ensures dynasty perpetuity. Jewish messianic expectation focused on this promise.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Christ's physical descent from David demonstrate salvation's incarnational necessity?
  2. What does God's oath-keeping across millennium teach about His faithfulness to seemingly impossible promises?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 27 words
προφήτης1 of 27

a prophet

G4396

a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet

οὖν2 of 27

Therefore

G3767

(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly

ὑπάρχων3 of 27

being

G5225

to begin under (quietly), i.e., come into existence (be present or at hand); expletively, to exist (as copula or subordinate to an adjective, particip

καὶ4 of 27

and

G2532

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

εἰδὼς5 of 27

knowing

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

ὅτι6 of 27

that

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ὅρκῳ7 of 27

with an oath

G3727

a limit, i.e., (sacred) restraint (specially, an oath)

ὤμοσεν8 of 27

had sworn

G3660

to swear, i.e., take (or declare on) oath

αὐτοῦ9 of 27

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

10 of 27
G3588

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

θεὸς11 of 27

God

G2316

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

ἐκ12 of 27

that of

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

καρποῦ13 of 27

the fruit

G2590

fruit (as plucked), literally or figuratively

τῆς14 of 27
G3588

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

ὀσφύος15 of 27

loins

G3751

the loin (externally), i.e., the hip; internally (by extension) procreative power

αὐτοῦ16 of 27

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

τὸ17 of 27
G3588

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

κατὰ18 of 27

according to

G2596

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

σάρκα19 of 27

the flesh

G4561

flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e., (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or

ἀναστήσειν20 of 27

he would raise up

G450

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

τὸν21 of 27
G3588

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

Χριστὸν,22 of 27

Christ

G5547

anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus

καθίσαι23 of 27

to sit

G2523

to seat down, i.e., set (figuratively, appoint); intransitively, to sit (down); figuratively, to settle (hover, dwell)

ἐπὶ24 of 27

on

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τοῦ25 of 27
G3588

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

θρόνου26 of 27

throne

G2362

a stately seat ("throne"); by implication, power or (concretely) a potentate

αὐτοῦ27 of 27

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


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 2:30 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 2:30 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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