King James Version

What Does Acts 3:25 Mean?

Acts 3:25 in the King James Version says “Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in th... — study this verse from Acts chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.

Acts 3:25 · KJV


Context

23

And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.

24

Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.

25

Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.

26

Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Peter reminds his audience: 'ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant.' Their privileged position increases responsibility. The Abrahamic promise - 'in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed' - finds fulfillment in Jesus, Abraham's ultimate seed.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 12:3, 22:18) promised blessing to all nations through Abraham's descendant. Paul develops this christologically in Galatians 3:16, identifying Christ as the 'seed.'

Reflection Questions

  1. How does covenant privilege increase accountability for responding to Christ?
  2. What does Christ being Abraham's seed mean for global mission?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 29 words
ὑμεῖς1 of 29

Ye

G5210

you (as subjective of verb)

ἐστε2 of 29

are

G2075

ye are

υἱοὶ3 of 29

the children

G5207

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

τῶν4 of 29
G3588

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

προφητῶν5 of 29

of the prophets

G4396

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

Καὶ6 of 29

And

G2532

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

τῆς7 of 29
G3588

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

διαθήκης8 of 29

of the covenant

G1242

properly, a disposition, i.e., (specially) a contract (especially a devisory will)

ἡς9 of 29

which

G3739

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

διέθετο10 of 29

made

G1303

to put apart, i.e., (figuratively) dispose (by assignment, compact, or bequest)

11 of 29
G3588

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

θεὸς12 of 29

God

G2316

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

πρὸς13 of 29

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,

τοὺς14 of 29
G3588

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

πατέρας15 of 29

fathers

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

ἡμῶν16 of 29

our

G2257

of (or from) us

λέγων17 of 29

saying

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

πρὸς18 of 29

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,

Ἀβραάμ,19 of 29

Abraham

G11

abraham, the hebrew patriarch

Καὶ20 of 29

And

G2532

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

τῷ21 of 29
G3588

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

σπέρματί22 of 29

seed

G4690

something sown, i.e., seed (including the male "sperm"); by implication, offspring; specially, a remnant (figuratively, as if kept over for planting)

σου23 of 29

in thy

G4675

of thee, thy

ἐνευλογηθήσονται24 of 29

be blessed

G1757

to confer a benefit on

πᾶσαι25 of 29

all

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

αἱ26 of 29
G3588

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

πατριαὶ27 of 29

the kindreds

G3965

paternal descent, i.e., (concretely) a group of families or a whole race (nation)

τῆς28 of 29
G3588

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

γῆς29 of 29

of the earth

G1093

soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)


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 3:25 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 3:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study