Acts 13:35 kjv
Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
Acts 13:35 nkjv
Therefore He also says in another Psalm: 'You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.'
Acts 13:35 niv
So it is also stated elsewhere: "?'You will not let your holy one see decay.'
Acts 13:35 esv
Therefore he says also in another psalm, "'You will not let your Holy One see corruption.'
Acts 13:35 nlt
Another psalm explains it more fully: 'You will not allow your Holy One to rot in the grave.'
Acts 13 35 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference ||---|---|---|| Psa 16:10 | For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. | Original prophecy cited by Paul || Acts 2:27 | ...For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see decay. | Peter's sermon in Acts, applying Psa 16:10 to Jesus || Acts 2:31 | He foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see decay. | Peter reiterating the fulfillment of Psa 16:10 in Jesus || Acts 13:34 | And that he raised him from the dead, no more to return to corruption... | Paul's assertion of Jesus' eternal resurrection || Acts 13:36 | For David, after he had served God's purpose in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption... | Contrast between David (who decayed) and Jesus (who did not) || Acts 2:24 | But God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. | God's power overcoming death for Jesus || Job 19:26 | And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God... | Foreshadowing bodily redemption/resurrection || Isa 53:10 | Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days... | Prophecy of Messiah's ultimate triumph over death || Hos 13:14 | I shall ransom them from the power of Sheol; I shall redeem them from Death. O Death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your sting? | Prophecy of redemption from death || Jn 2:19 | Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” | Jesus predicting His own bodily resurrection || Lk 24:39 | See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have. | Jesus proving His physical, bodily resurrection || Rom 6:9 | We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. | The permanency and completeness of Jesus' resurrection || 1 Cor 15:3 | For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, | Foundational truth of Christ's death (leading to resurrection) || 1 Cor 15:4 | that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, | Foundation truth of Christ's resurrection, per Scripture || 1 Cor 15:20 | But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. | Jesus as the initial and perfect resurrected one || 1 Cor 15:54 | When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” | Victory over decay through Christ's resurrection || Php 3:21 | who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. | Believers' future resurrected bodies will be like His glorious body || Col 1:18 | And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. | Jesus' preeminence as the firstborn from the dead || Heb 5:9 | And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, | Christ's perfected state after suffering and resurrection || Rev 1:18 | and the living one. I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. | Jesus' victory and eternal life after death || Psa 49:15 | But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me. | General hope in God's power over death for His faithful || Zec 9:11 | As for you also, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit. | Foreshadowing redemption from the grave/death |
Acts 13 verses
Acts 13 35 Meaning
Acts 13:35 explains that God promised through King David, in a specific Psalm, that His chosen "Holy One" would not experience physical corruption or decomposition after death. This prophecy directly points to Jesus Christ, asserting that His body, though crucified and buried, did not undergo decay, confirming His unique bodily resurrection and divine nature. It distinguishes Jesus from all other mortals, including David himself, who succumbed to corruption.
Acts 13 35 Context
Acts 13:35 is part of the Apostle Paul's powerful sermon in the synagogue at Antioch of Pisidia. Paul meticulously traces salvation history, starting from Israel's Exodus, through the kingship of David, and culminating in Jesus Christ. He systematically demonstrates how God's promises made to Israel found their fulfillment in Jesus, particularly through His death, burial, and resurrection. Following the prophecy from Psalm 2 in verse 33, Paul then appeals to Psalm 16:10 in verse 35 to provide Old Testament scriptural proof that Jesus' body would not undergo decay, contrasting this with David who "saw corruption" (v. 36). This assertion is crucial for establishing Jesus as the true Messiah who uniquely triumphed over death, offering forgiveness of sins and justification to all who believe. The immediate context of Paul's message is an evangelistic appeal to both Jews and God-fearing Gentiles present in the synagogue.
Acts 13 35 Word analysis
- Therefore (Dio): Connects this statement logically to the preceding argument in Paul's sermon, building on the evidence presented about Jesus' death, burial, and God's promise to raise Him.
- He also says (kai en heterō Psaltērion legei): Attributes the statement directly to God, indicating divine authority and prophetic certainty. The phrase "also says" implies an additional, distinct prophetic text from what was previously cited (like Psa 2).
- in another Psalm (en heterō Psaltērion): Specifies that the quote comes from a different part of the book of Psalms, namely Psalm 16:10. This precision emphasizes Paul's thorough knowledge of the Scriptures and his ability to draw specific prophetic connections.
- You will not allow (oude doseis): This strong negative expression highlights God's sovereign intent and action. "Doseis" (from didōmi, to give or permit) underscores that it is by God's explicit decision that the "Holy One" would not experience decay.
- Your Holy One (ton Hosios Sou):
- Greek: Ho hosios (ὁ ὅσιος). It signifies someone holy, devout, pure, consecrated, righteous, and upright, particularly in relation to God.
- Significance: In the Old Testament context of Psalm 16, "holy one" (Hebrew: ḥasîḏ, 'faithful/pious one') could refer to any godly person. However, its definitive New Testament interpretation here, alongside Acts 2:27, 31 and other contexts, clearly applies uniquely to Jesus. It emphasizes His sinlessness, unique consecration, and perfect fidelity to God, setting Him apart as the divinely appointed Messiah who fulfills the prophecy. He is the singular "Holy One" who perfectly pleased God.
- to undergo decay (idein diaphthoran):
- Greek: Diaphthoran (διαφθοράν) meaning corruption, decomposition, physical decay, or perishing.
- "Idein" (from horao, to see/perceive) here means to experience or undergo.
- Significance: This is the pivotal aspect of the prophecy. It asserts that Jesus' physical body, though dead, would not suffer the natural process of putrefaction and decomposition that is the common fate of all deceased human bodies. This physical integrity of the body is undeniable proof of His resurrection, setting it apart as a unique and supernatural event, affirming His victory over death in its entirety, including physical corruption.
Acts 13 35 Bonus section
The distinction drawn between David and Jesus regarding "decay" is crucial. While Psalm 16 initially held meaning for David's hope in not being utterly abandoned by God, its full Messianic implications were only understood through Christ. Peter and Paul both powerfully employ this prophecy to prove Jesus' resurrection, arguing that David himself, whose tomb and bones remained, could not be the ultimate subject of "not seeing decay." Jesus' incorruptible body post-crucifixion serves as the unique sign that He conquered not only death's separation of soul and body but also death's degenerative power over the body itself. This truth establishes Jesus as the "firstfruits" of resurrection, guaranteeing the future bodily resurrection and transformation for all believers, offering an enduring hope that transcends the natural decay of human existence.
Acts 13 35 Commentary
Acts 13:35 is a foundational verse in Paul's systematic explanation of Jesus' Messiahship, offering crucial scriptural evidence for His bodily resurrection. By citing Psalm 16:10, Paul argues that Jesus, as God's uniquely "Holy One," did not undergo the physical decay typically experienced after death. This directly contrasts Jesus with David, who, though great, eventually saw corruption (Acts 13:36). The non-decay of Jesus' body is a vital distinction, underscoring that His resurrection was not merely a spiritual one, but a physical and complete triumph over death, thereby validating His claims and the promises of God. It provides a definitive fulfillment of ancient prophecy, demonstrating the living hope offered through Christ.