Acts 2 31

Acts 2:31 kjv

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

Acts 2:31 nkjv

he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption.

Acts 2:31 niv

Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay.

Acts 2:31 esv

he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption.

Acts 2:31 nlt

David was looking into the future and speaking of the Messiah's resurrection. He was saying that God would not leave him among the dead or allow his body to rot in the grave.

Acts 2 verses

Acts 2 31 Meaning

Acts 2:31 signifies that David, speaking under divine inspiration in Psalm 16, prophetically foresaw the resurrection of the Messiah. He foretold that the Messiah's soul would not be left in Hades, the realm of the dead, and crucially, His physical body would not experience decomposition or decay in the grave. This verse is central to Peter's Pentecost sermon, presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of this ancient prophecy, thereby affirming His divine identity and bodily resurrection.

Acts 2 31 Context

Acts 2:31 is part of Peter's pivotal sermon on the day of Pentecost, immediately after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Addressing a crowd of devout Jews from various nations, Peter begins by explaining the phenomenon of speaking in tongues (Act 2:1-21) and then transitions to presenting Jesus of Nazareth as the promised Messiah (Act 2:22-36). The core of his argument for Jesus' Messiahship hinges on the resurrection, proving that He was not merely a good teacher but the divine Christ. Peter cites Old Testament prophecy, specifically Psalm 16:8-11, to establish that David, a revered king and prophet, was speaking not of himself (who died and saw decay, Act 2:29), but of the future Messiah who would not experience physical corruption or remain in the realm of the dead. This verse serves as a direct, scriptural proof-text for the resurrection of Jesus Christ to the original Jewish audience who held the Old Testament Scriptures in high regard.

Acts 2 31 Word analysis

• He: Refers to David. Peter directly attributes the prophecy of Psalm 16 to King David (Acts 2:29). This establishes David as a prophetic voice speaking under inspiration concerning the Messiah.
• seeing this before: Translates from Greek "προϊδὼν" (proïdon), meaning "having foreseen" or "looking ahead." It emphasizes David's prophetic foresight, a supernatural insight into future events. This indicates divine inspiration, not mere speculation, allowing David to speak concerning the Messiah's experience beyond his own.
• spake of the resurrection: Greek "ἐλάλησεν περὶ ἀναστάσεως" (elalēsen peri anastaseōs), literally "spoke about resurrection." This clearly defines the subject of David's prophecy as the raising of the dead, specifically the Messiah's resurrection. The verb is past tense, emphasizing the historical reality of David's prophecy.
• of Christ: Greek "τοῦ Χριστοῦ" (tou Christou). The definite article "the" combined with "Christ" identifies Him not merely as a Christ (anointed one) but the Messiah, the specific prophesied deliverer. This firmly connects David's prophecy to Jesus of Nazareth, whom Peter asserts is "both Lord and Christ" (Acts 2:36).
• that his soul: Greek "ὅτι οὐ κατελείφθη ἡ ψυχὴ αὐτοῦ" (hoti ou kateleiphthē hē psychē autou). "ψυχὴ" (psychē) refers to the individual's inner being, spirit, or life principle. In this context, it signifies Christ's human spirit, distinguishing it from the physical body.
• was not left: Greek "οὐ κατελείφθη" (ou kateleiphthē), literally "was not abandoned" or "was not forsaken." It denotes that Christ's soul did not remain permanently in Hades. It was a temporary sojourn, not an enduring confinement. This is crucial; Christ did not simply pass out of existence but retained conscious identity, even in the state of death.
• in hell: Greek "ἐν ᾅδῃ" (en Hadē). This term is Hades, not Gehenna (the hell of eternal torment). Hades is the common Greek word for the underworld or the realm of the dead, equivalent to the Hebrew Sheol. For Jews of the time, Sheol was a subterranean realm where the spirits of the dead, both righteous and unrighteous, resided awaiting final judgment or resurrection. Peter's point is that Christ's soul did not stay there, demonstrating victory over death's grip.
• neither his flesh: Greek "οὐδὲ ἡ σάρξ αὐτοῦ" (oude hē sarx autou). "σάρξ" (sarx) refers to the physical body, emphasizing the corporeal nature of Christ's resurrection. This distinguishes it from merely a spiritual experience, asserting a full, embodied resurrection.
• did see corruption: Greek "εἶδεν διαφθοράν" (eiden diaphthoran), literally "did see decay" or "did experience corruption." "διαφθορά" (diaphthora) specifically denotes the decomposition and putrefaction of a dead body. This is a crucial element of the proof: a decayed body cannot be physically resurrected without transformation. The emphasis here is on the preservation of Christ's physical body from the natural process of decomposition.

Words-group Analysis:

• "He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ": This phrase succinctly states that David possessed prophetic insight into the future event of the Messiah's resurrection. It frames Psalm 16 as a predictive prophecy, explicitly identifying its subject as the Anointed One, Jesus. Peter establishes David's authority as a prophet whose words point directly to Christ's historical experience. This directly challenges any Jewish interpretation that limited the Psalm's application solely to David, who certainly did "see corruption" (Acts 2:29).
• "that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption": This pivotal statement describes the two inseparable aspects of Christ's resurrection victory: the triumph over death's dominion over the spirit (soul in Hades) and the conquest of the physical decay of the body. Both were prophesied not to happen to the Messiah, a direct counter-argument to anyone claiming Christ's body decayed or that His resurrection was merely spiritual. The double negative "not left in... neither did see" reinforces the complete nature of His preservation from the effects of death. This constitutes a direct polemic against Sadduceean disbelief in resurrection and clarifies the fate of Jesus' body in contrast to common Jewish understandings of what happened to the dead.

Acts 2 31 Bonus section

• The term "Holy One" (Psa 16:10 Hebrew: ḥāsîḏ; Greek: hosion) carries significant messianic implications, referring to the one set apart by God. Its application to Christ underscores His unique relationship with God and His sinlessness, which is foundational to His ability to overcome death and decay, unlike any other human.
• The absence of corruption in Christ's body is a key distinction from other biblical resurrections, such as Lazarus. Lazarus, though raised, was still subject to decay and death later; Jesus was raised never to die again, in an incorruptible body.
• This verse supports the understanding that Jesus, after His death, went to Hades (the realm of the dead) but was not held captive there. He passed through death completely, enduring its separation of soul and body, yet triumphed over it, emerging with both soul and a non-decayed body reunited.
• The explicit denial of physical corruption for Jesus directly undercuts any ancient or modern Gnostic-like tendencies to spiritualize the resurrection. Peter insists on a real, physical, non-decaying body for Jesus. This physical resurrection is presented as the foundational "infallible proof" (Acts 1:3) of His messianic claims.

Acts 2 31 Commentary

Acts 2:31 is the lynchpin of Peter's sermon, bridging the ancient prophecy of Psalm 16 with the contemporary event of Jesus' resurrection. By quoting Psalm 16:10 and clarifying its subject, Peter decisively demonstrates that David's prophecy of a "Holy One" who would not be abandoned to Hades nor suffer decay could not apply to David himself, whose tomb was present for all to see, signifying his death and physical corruption. Instead, the prophecy definitively referred to the Messiah. The fulfillment is seen in Jesus: His soul did not remain in the realm of the dead, and His physical body, though dead, was divinely preserved from decomposition before His bodily resurrection. This specific detail — the absence of physical corruption — was crucial proof for a Jewish audience accustomed to burial customs. It affirms the unique status of Jesus as the Holy One of God, victor over the ultimate consequences of death.