Acts 13 35

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 verses

Acts 13 35 Meaning

Acts 13:35 conveys a core message that God would not permit His specially consecrated Messiah, "His Holy One," to experience bodily decay after death. Paul cites Psalm 16:10 to affirm the unique resurrection of Jesus Christ, asserting that unlike all mortals, Jesus' body did not undergo physical corruption in the tomb, proving His divine identity and victory over death.

Acts 13 35 Context

Acts chapter 13 records Paul and Barnabas's first missionary journey. In Pisidian Antioch, Paul delivers a powerful sermon to the synagogue congregation, tracing Israel's history from the Exodus to David, and then presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah, a descendant of David (Acts 13:16-25). He asserts that Jesus' death and resurrection fulfill Old Testament prophecies. Having just referenced Psalm 2:7 (Acts 13:33) to show that God "raised up Jesus" as His Son, Paul then draws on Psalm 16:10 in Acts 13:35 as irrefutable evidence of Jesus' physical resurrection without decay. This passage is crucial for demonstrating that the Messiah would not remain in the grave to decompose, thus establishing Jesus' unique identity as "the Holy One" of God who truly conquered death.

Acts 13 35 Word analysis

• Therefore (Διό - dio): A strong inferential conjunction, meaning "wherefore," "for this reason," "consequently." It connects the current statement to previous arguments, building a logical conclusion based on what has just been presented about God's fulfillment of promises through Jesus' resurrection (Acts 13:33-34).

• He also says (καὶ ἐν ἑτέρῳ λέγει - kai en heterō legei):

  • He: Refers to God, who speaks through the scriptures.
  • also: Indicates this is an additional scripture reference, further substantiating the claim about Jesus.
  • says: Implies divine inspiration and authority behind the scriptural citation.

• in another Psalm (ἐν ἑτέρῳ ψαλμῷ - en heterō psalmō): Explicitly identifies the source as a different, distinct Psalm (Psalm 16), separate from any previous reference (like Psalm 2:7 in Acts 13:33). This shows a methodical presentation of scriptural proofs.

• You (σύ - sy): Second-person singular pronoun, referring to God the Father, the one being addressed in Psalm 16:10. This emphasizes God's direct agency and promise.

• will not allow (οὐκ ἐγκαταλείψεις - ouk enkataleipseis):

  • οὐκ (ouk): A strong negative, "not," making the statement emphatic.
  • ἐγκαταλείψεις (enkataleipseis): From egkataleipō, meaning "to leave behind," "abandon," "forsake," "desert," or "permit." In this context, it carries the sense of not permitting a particular state or outcome, specifically regarding the body in the grave. It implies divine care and prevention.

• Your Holy One (τὸν ὅσιόν σου - ton hosion sou):

  • ὅσιον (hosion): A critical term, meaning "holy," "devout," "pious," "righteous." It is often associated with adherence to divine law and what is righteous in God's eyes. In the Septuagint, it often translates the Hebrew chasid (חָסִיד), which refers to those loyal to God, often rendered "godly one" or "saints." Here, it points to a uniquely righteous, pure, and consecrated individual. This title is fittingly applied to Jesus, distinguishing Him as supremely devoted and pure before God, making Him impervious to the ordinary fate of humanity. This is a subtle polemic against the idea that even great prophets are ultimately mortal and subject to decay.
  • σου (sou): "Your," possessive, affirming that this "Holy One" uniquely belongs to and is chosen by God.

• to see corruption (ἰδεῖν διαφθοράν - idein diaphthoran):

  • ἰδεῖν (idein): The infinitive "to see," but often used idiomatically in Hebrew and Greek to mean "to experience" or "to undergo." It's not merely seeing with eyes but experiencing a state.
  • διαφθοράν (diaphthoran): From diaphthora, meaning "corruption," "destruction," "decay," specifically referring to the physical decomposition of a body after death. This is the central point: Jesus did not experience or undergo this bodily putrefaction.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Therefore He also says in another Psalm": This phrase functions as a conclusive divine affirmation from the scriptures, building the case for Christ's unique identity and role. It highlights the predictive nature of the Old Testament concerning the Messiah's resurrection.
  • "You will not allow Your Holy One": This emphasizes God's active protection and divine promise regarding His chosen Messiah. It points to a singular individual set apart by God. This sets a boundary, preventing the Holy One from experiencing the normal consequence of death for all humankind.
  • "to see corruption": This specific negative prophecy defines the kind of resurrection that was promised. It distinguishes the Messiah's fate from that of ordinary deceased individuals, focusing on the preservation of the body from decay as proof of God's power and the Messiah's unique status.

Acts 13 35 Bonus section

The choice of hosios (ὅσιον) in the Septuagint (LXX) for the Hebrew chasid (חָסִיד) in Psalm 16:10 is significant. While chasid often means "pious one" or "saint," hosios strongly conveys "holy," especially in relation to duty to God. Applying this term to the Messiah emphasizes His complete consecration and absolute purity, contrasting Him with other 'holy' people who are nevertheless subject to human failings and corruption. The precise rendering of "see corruption" implies an experience of bodily decay, not just the fact of being in the grave. Paul’s emphasis here points to a literal, physical, and undelayed resurrection, differentiating Jesus from previous resurrections in the Old Testament (like Elijah and Elisha's acts), where the raised individuals eventually died again. Jesus' resurrection without corruption signifies a new, eternal form of life. This passage also implicitly counters any Docetic or Gnostic views, which might suggest Jesus' body was not truly physical or capable of corruption, affirming His full humanity while simultaneously declaring His divine invincibility to decay.

Acts 13 35 Commentary

Acts 13:35 is a pivotal verse in Paul's sermon, serving as a scriptural linchpin for the doctrine of Christ's bodily resurrection. By quoting Psalm 16:10, Paul argues that this prophecy cannot refer to David, for David "fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption" (Acts 13:36). David's body decayed. Therefore, the "Holy One" who would not see corruption must be someone else, someone whose body remained perfectly intact in death. That individual is Jesus of Nazareth. This establishes Jesus' divine status, not merely as a prophet or king, but as the unique "Holy One" whom God resurrected before physical decay could set in. The argument asserts a decisive victory over death, confirming the truth of the Gospel. It demonstrates that Jesus' resurrection was a real, physical event, making Him the unique deliverer and the object of saving faith. This also emphasizes that God fulfilled His ancient promises not just through a spiritual experience but through a tangible act of raising Christ from the dead.