Acts 2 33

Acts 2:33 kjv

Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

Acts 2:33 nkjv

Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.

Acts 2:33 niv

Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.

Acts 2:33 esv

Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.

Acts 2:33 nlt

Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God's right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today.

Acts 2 verses

Acts 2 33 Meaning

Acts 2:33 declares that Jesus, having been exalted by God's power to the highest position of authority, received the promised Holy Spirit from the Father. With this divine empowerment, He then poured out the Spirit, manifesting in the supernatural signs and wonders that the Pentecost audience was witnessing and hearing. This verse underscores Jesus' divine authority as the Giver of the Spirit, demonstrating His unique status as both the crucified and risen Christ.

Acts 2 33 Context

Acts 2:33 is part of Peter's pivotal sermon delivered on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem. Following the initial outpouring of the Holy Spirit—manifested as a rushing wind, tongues of fire, and miraculous speaking in diverse languages—a crowd of devout Jews gathered, some mocking the disciples as drunk. Peter stood up to refute this claim and explain the extraordinary event. He declares that what they are witnessing is the fulfillment of Joel's prophecy (Joel 2:28-32), asserting that the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth—whom they crucified but God raised—is now glorified and active in heaven. Acts 2:33 serves as the capstone of his argument, explaining how these supernatural signs are occurring: Jesus, from His exalted position, is the one pouring out the promised Holy Spirit.

Acts 2 33 Word analysis

• Therefore (Οὖν - Oun): This conjunction establishes a logical connection, indicating that the statement in verse 33 is a conclusion drawn from Peter's preceding arguments. It links back to Jesus' resurrection (v. 32) and David's prophecy regarding the Messiah's ascension (Ps 110:1, quoted in Acts 2:34-35).
• being by the right hand of God exalted (τῇ δεξιᾷ οὖν τοῦ Θεοῦ ὑψωθεὶς - tē dexiā oun tou Theou hypsōtheis):
  • right hand (δεξιᾷ - dexiā): In biblical thought, the "right hand" symbolizes supreme power, authority, honor, and a position of favor. Jesus is not merely near God but occupies the position of power.
  • God (Θεοῦ - Theou): Refers to God the Father. It is God who exalts Jesus.
  • exalted (ὑψωθεὶς - hypsōtheis): Aorist passive participle, meaning "having been exalted" or "lifted high." This refers to Jesus' ascension into heaven and His subsequent enthronement to a position of supreme divine authority, fulfilling prophecy like Ps 110:1. It signifies His vindication, glorification, and assumption of universal Lordship following His resurrection. This exaltation is a divine act by God the Father.
• and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost (τήν τε ἐπαγγελίαν τοῦ Πνεύματος τοῦ Ἁγίου λαβὼν παρὰ τοῦ Πατρὸς - tēn te epangelian tou Pneumatos tou Hagiou labōn para tou Patros):
  • having received (λαβὼν - labōn): Aorist active participle, indicating an action completed prior to or at the time of the main verb ("shed forth"). Jesus actively received the promise from the Father. This isn't a reception of a new substance for Himself, but the divine authorization and anointing to mediate the Spirit's outpouring.
  • of the Father (παρὰ τοῦ Πατρὸς - para tou Patros): Specifies the source of the promise, confirming the Trinitarian working. The Father is the ultimate Giver.
  • the promise of the Holy Ghost (τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν τοῦ Πνεύματος τοῦ Ἁγίου - tēn epangelian tou Pneumatos tou Hagiou): Refers to the long-standing Old Testament prophecies concerning the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (e.g., Joel 2:28-32, Isa 44:3, Ez 36:27), and Jesus' own post-resurrection promises to His disciples (Lk 24:49, Jn 14-16, Acts 1:4-5). This promise, often called "the promise of the Father," is realized through Christ.
• he hath shed forth this (ἐξέχεεν τοῦτο - exexeō touto):
  • he hath shed forth (ἐξέχεεν - exexeō): Aorist active indicative, meaning "he poured out" or "he caused to gush forth." This verb emphasizes Jesus' active role as the agent through whom the Holy Spirit is given to humanity. He is not merely a recipient but the divine dispenser of the Spirit, reflecting His Messianic authority.
  • this (τοῦτο - touto): A demonstrative pronoun, referring directly to the manifestations of the Holy Spirit that the crowd was experiencing at that very moment (the sound, the speaking in tongues).
• which ye now see and hear (ὃ ὑμεῖς νῦν βλέπετε καὶ ἀκούετε - ho hymeis nyn blepete kai akouete):
  • ye (ὑμεῖς - hymeis): Direct address to the Pentecost crowd.
  • now (νῦν - nyn): Emphasizes the immediate, current reality of the phenomenon.
  • see and hear (βλέπετε καὶ ἀκούετε - blepete kai akouete): Appeals directly to their sensory experience. They witnessed the tongues of fire (Acts 2:3), heard the sound like a rushing wind (Acts 2:2), and heard the disciples speaking in other tongues (Acts 2:4-11). This visible and audible evidence powerfully confirms Peter's theological explanation.

• Words-group Analysis:
• "Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted": This phrase encapsulates Christ's glorious ascent and enthronement in heavenly authority. It signifies God's divine approval, vindication, and the supreme position given to Jesus after His crucifixion and resurrection. It confirms Jesus' true identity as the promised Messiah.
• "and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost": This highlights the divine Trinitarian action behind the outpouring of the Spirit. The Father promises, Christ receives the authority to mediate, and the Holy Spirit is poured out. It signifies that Jesus is the appointed one to dispense the fulfillment of centuries-old prophecy regarding the Spirit. His messianic office is intrinsically linked to the distribution of God's Spirit.
• "he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear": This statement presents the direct and undeniable evidence of Jesus' present authority and role. The manifestations of the Spirit at Pentecost are not random occurrences but the direct result of the exalted Christ's action. This phrase validates Peter's sermon, offering sensory proof of Jesus' glorification and His sending of the promised Helper. It bridges the theological explanation with the tangible experience of the crowd.

Acts 2 33 Bonus section

This verse powerfully illustrates the active participation of the Trinity in salvation history. God the Father exalts the Son; the Son receives the Spirit's promise from the Father; the Son then sheds forth the Spirit. This demonstrates divine harmony and purpose. Acts 2:33 also reinforces Jesus' absolute authority post-resurrection: He doesn't just ascend, but reigns, and from His throne, He sovereignly dispenses the Spirit to build His Church and accomplish His purposes. The Spirit's outpouring, as seen and heard by the crowd, served as indisputable evidence that the "Jesus" they had crucified was indeed God's Messiah, alive, glorified, and now the supreme Lord, initiating a new era of God's presence among His people.

Acts 2 33 Commentary

Acts 2:33 is a theological cornerstone, linking the exaltation of Christ with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the defining event of Pentecost. Peter's argument moves from the fact of Jesus' resurrection (v. 32) and God's powerful exaltation of Him to the Father's right hand. This high status signifies ultimate authority and dominion. Crucially, from this exalted position, Jesus Himself actively pours out the Holy Spirit, which He received as a promise from the Father. This emphasizes Jesus' role as the divine Giver of the Spirit, a testament to His divine nature and the fruit of His finished redemptive work. The visible and audible manifestations (tongues of fire, speaking in other tongues) serve as tangible, undeniable proof of Jesus' active Lordship and the inauguration of the new covenant age of the Spirit. This moment marked the birth of the Church, empowered by the very presence of God for global witness.