Acts 2 32

Acts 2:32 kjv

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

Acts 2:32 nkjv

This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.

Acts 2:32 niv

God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it.

Acts 2:32 esv

This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.

Acts 2:32 nlt

"God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this.

Acts 2 verses

Acts 2 32 Meaning

Acts 2:32 states unequivocally that God Himself resurrected Jesus Christ from the dead. This act of divine power is affirmed by a unified group of eyewitnesses—the apostles—who personally encountered the risen Christ. This verse serves as a foundational declaration of the early Christian message, establishing the physical resurrection of Jesus as an undeniable historical and theological truth, validated by God and attested by those chosen to bear witness.

Acts 2 32 Context

Acts 2:32 is a core statement within Peter’s powerful sermon on the day of Pentecost, addressed to a devout Jewish audience gathered in Jerusalem. The immediate context (Acts 2:22-31) describes Peter's systematic argument for Jesus' Messiahship and resurrection. He asserts that Jesus, though crucified by human hands, was part of God's predetermined plan. Peter then cites Psalm 16:8-11 to argue that King David, who prophesied not seeing corruption, could not have been speaking of himself, as his tomb was still present and decaying. Therefore, Peter reasons, David must have spoken prophetically of the Messiah’s resurrection, which is Jesus. Verse 32 serves as the direct application and conclusion of this argument: the very Jesus whom they had seen crucified is the one God raised, and they are irrefutable witnesses to this fact. This statement provides the crucial evidence needed for Peter to then declare Jesus as both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36). The broader context highlights the pivotal role of the resurrection as the cornerstone of the apostolic proclamation and the very foundation of the burgeoning Christian church, demonstrating God's vindication of Jesus and establishing His ongoing authority. It countered contemporary Jewish skepticism by appealing to the very scriptures they revered and direct historical evidence.

Acts 2 32 Word analysis

• This Jesus (Greek: Τοῦτον τὸν Ἰησοῦν, Touton ton Iesoun): The demonstrative pronoun "This" points emphatically to the specific individual Jesus whom the audience knew, whom they had seen crucified (Acts 2:23), and about whom Peter had just spoken. It eliminates any ambiguity regarding the identity of the resurrected one, distinguishing Him from any other person, and asserts His personal victory over death.
• God raised up again (Greek: ὁ Θεὸς ἀνέστησεν, ho Theos anestesen): This phrase underscores divine agency. The verb anistemi (ἀνίστημι) in this active, causative sense means "to cause to rise, raise up." It is not Jesus resuscitating Himself, but God the Father performing a direct, powerful act. This signifies God's vindication of Jesus, proving His claims and overcoming the ultimate consequence of sin—death. This divine act is central to the New Testament understanding of the resurrection (e.g., Rom 4:24; 8:11; 1 Cor 6:14). It distinguishes resurrection from resuscitation (like Lazarus), as it signifies a transformative entrance into a new, glorified existence, free from decay and death's dominion.
• to which: Refers directly to the event of "God raised Him up again." This clarifies the specific truth that the apostles are witnessing.
• we are all witnesses (Greek: πάντες ἡμεῖς μάρτυρές ἐσμεν, pantes hēmeis martyres esmen):
  • we: Refers primarily to the apostles, who were uniquely chosen and commissioned by Jesus to bear witness to His resurrection (Acts 1:8, 22; Lk 24:48). It speaks to their unity and shared experience.
  • all: Emphasizes the collective, undeniable nature of their testimony. Their witness is not solitary or fragmented but a unanimous, authoritative proclamation.
  • witnesses (Greek: μάρτυρες, martyres): This term signifies those who provide firsthand, empirical evidence based on what they have seen, heard, and touched (1 Jn 1:1-3). Their role was to convey factual data about the risen Christ. This witness was foundational to the early Christian faith, differentiating it from mere belief or philosophy by rooting it in a historical, observable event. The martyres became crucial conveyors of the Gospel message.

Acts 2 32 Bonus section

• The Kerygmatic Center: The resurrection of Jesus, attested by witnesses, is consistently the core (kerygma) of early apostolic preaching throughout the book of Acts (e.g., Acts 3:15; 4:2; 5:30; 13:33). It is not an add-on, but the central truth.
• Divine Approval and Vindication: God raising Jesus from the dead signifies divine approval and vindication against the unjust crucifixion. It validated Jesus’ claims to be the Son of God and the Messiah, transforming human rejection into divine affirmation.
• Foundation for Christian Hope: The resurrection of Jesus is the absolute guarantee and prototype for the future resurrection of believers (1 Cor 15:20-23; Rom 6:4). It forms the living hope mentioned in 1 Pet 1:3.
• Theology of the Resurrection: The resurrection is depicted as a Trinitarian act at various points in Scripture—God the Father raising Jesus (Acts 2:32), the Son raising Himself (Jn 2:19), and the Holy Spirit raising Jesus (Rom 8:11). While Acts 2:32 highlights the Father’s primary agency, it underscores the unified divine work.

Acts 2 32 Commentary

Acts 2:32 encapsulates the very essence of the apostolic message: the Christ who was crucified is the same one God sovereignly raised from the dead, an event affirmed by an unbroken chain of eyewitness testimony. Peter’s sermon systematically builds to this point, connecting prophecy (Ps 16) with fulfilled reality (Jesus’ resurrection). This verse emphasizes God’s supreme power over death, His vindication of His Son, and the vital role of the apostles as direct, credible witnesses. The resurrection is not a mere theological concept but a divinely wrought, verifiable event, forming the cornerstone of Christian faith and hope. It established Jesus' Lordship and Messiahship, offering the promise of new life to all who believe. This message empowered the early church to proclaim boldly even in the face of persecution.