Acts 2 34

Acts 2:34 kjv

For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

Acts 2:34 nkjv

"For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: 'The LORD said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand,

Acts 2:34 niv

For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, "?'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand

Acts 2:34 esv

For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, "'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand,

Acts 2:34 nlt

For David himself never ascended into heaven, yet he said, 'The LORD said to my Lord,
"Sit in the place of honor at my right hand

Acts 2 verses

Acts 2 34 Meaning

Acts 2:34 is a pivotal statement in Peter's Pentecost sermon, where he explains that David, the author of Psalm 110:1, did not himself ascend into the heavens in a divine manner, contrary to popular misconceptions about an immediate or literal entry. Instead, David, as a prophet inspired by God, was speaking prophetically of someone else – the resurrected and exalted Jesus of Nazareth – whom David paradoxically calls "my Lord," indicating Jesus' pre-eminent, divine authority and His ultimate enthronement at God the Father's right hand.

Acts 2 34 Context

Acts chapter 2 records the pivotal day of Pentecost following Jesus' ascension. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, preaches a powerful sermon to the gathered multitude in Jerusalem, explaining the phenomenon of speaking in tongues (vv. 1-13) and connecting it to Joel's prophecy of the outpouring of God's Spirit (vv. 14-21). His sermon then shifts to proclaiming Jesus of Nazareth, whom God accredited through mighty works, who was crucified according to God's plan, and whom God raised from the dead.

In verses 25-32, Peter asserts that David, as a prophet, spoke not of himself regarding resurrection, but of the Christ, referencing Psalm 16. Acts 2:34 specifically follows this line of argument. Peter builds his case for Jesus' unique divine status and role by drawing a clear distinction: David died and his tomb remains, proving he did not personally ascend into the divine realm in fulfillment of Ps 110:1. Therefore, David must have been prophesying about another – the Lord, Jesus Christ, who did ascend and sit at God's right hand. Peter skillfully uses their revered figure, David, to demonstrate Jesus' identity as Messiah, emphasizing His ascension and heavenly enthronement as a fulfillment of prophecy that David could not fulfill himself. This context firmly positions Jesus as the exalted Lord.

Acts 2 34 Word analysis

• For (γάρ, gar): A conjunction introducing a reason or explanation. Peter is giving the logical basis for his earlier statement that David foreknew the resurrection of the Christ (v. 31) and that David's tomb remains with them (v. 29). It clarifies why the previous passage from Psalm 16 was not about David's physical resurrection to heaven but about Christ's.

• David (Δαυίδ, Dauid): Refers to King David of Israel, universally recognized and revered as a prophet and author of many Psalms. Peter leverages David's undisputed authority among his Jewish audience.

• did not ascend (οὐκ ἀνέβη, ouk anebē): Strong negation ("οὐκ" meaning "not"). "ἀνέβη" means "went up" or "ascended." This directly challenges any notion that David himself physically rose to the heavenly realm as his final state, confirming his death and burial (Acts 2:29). This is distinct from a future resurrection, focusing on a present or recent celestial ascension as fulfilled by Jesus.

• into the heavens (εἰς τοὺς οὐρανούς, eis tous ouranous): Denotes the celestial dwelling place of God, the realm of divine presence and authority. Peter stresses that David's physical body did not go there directly after death.

• but he himself says (ἀλλὰ αὐτὸς λέγει, alla autos legei): A sharp contrast ("ἀλλὰ" - "but") shifting the focus from what David didn't do to what he did say, invoking David's own prophetic witness as proof for the Christ. "He himself" (αὐτὸς) emphasizes that the source is David's own authoritative word.

• The LORD said (Εἶπεν Κύριος, Eipen Kyrios): The direct quote from Ps 110:1. "Κύριος" here represents YHWH (Yahweh), the divine covenant name for God the Father. This signifies the ultimate divine authority of the one speaking in the Psalm.

• to my Lord (τῷ Κυρίῳ μου, tō Kyriō mou): The crucial distinction. David calls this second figure "my Lord" ("Κυρίῳ"). While "Kyrios" can mean master, lord, or sir, in this context, where David (the king) addresses his descendant as "my Lord" and God addresses him, it denotes someone superior to David, possessing a divine or supreme authority—pointing directly to the Messiah's pre-eminence and divine nature.

• Sit (Κάθου, Kathou): An imperative command to take a seat. This is not just a casual sitting but signifies enthronement, assumption of authority, kingship, and rest from finished work.

• at My right hand (ἐκ δεξιῶν μου, ek dexiōn mou): The most honorable and authoritative position, signifying co-regency, supreme power, and exalted status alongside the divine speaker (God the Father). This is the position of Christ's triumph and ultimate authority.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "For David did not ascend into the heavens": This phrase establishes the immediate empirical evidence and logical argument. Peter refers to the well-known fact of David's death and burial. It functions as a counter-claim to any literal interpretation of David personally ascending, setting the stage for the true subject of the prophecy. Peter contrasts David's physical absence from heaven with Christ's bodily ascension and enthronement, thereby confirming the historical death of David while highlighting his prophetic role regarding Christ.
  • "but he himself says: 'The LORD said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand,"'": This constitutes Peter's conclusive evidence drawn from sacred scripture (Psalm 110:1). The contrast introduces David's inspired prophetic words, demonstrating that David's ultimate prophetic fulfillment concerns the Messiah. The use of "The LORD said to my Lord" underscores the dialogue between God the Father ("The LORD") and God the Son (David's "Lord"), positioning the Messiah not just as a king but as someone of divine authority and nature, higher even than David. The command to "Sit at My right hand" epitomizes Christ's enthronement, shared sovereignty, and triumphant reign.

Acts 2 34 Bonus section

The significance of Psalm 110:1 for early Christian theology cannot be overstated; it is the Old Testament passage most frequently quoted or alluded to in the New Testament concerning Christ's person and work, specifically His divine Sonship, kingship, and exaltation. Peter's use of this Psalm on Pentecost demonstrates its critical importance in early apostolic preaching as proof of Jesus' Messiahship and deity. This also highlights Peter's astute logical reasoning, building his case upon shared facts (David's tomb) and accepted scriptures (the Psalms), illuminated by the Holy Spirit. Peter's sermon here forms a template for how the apostles consistently interpreted the Old Testament, not as mere historical narratives, but as prophetic blueprints for the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus the Christ.

Acts 2 34 Commentary

Acts 2:34 encapsulates Peter's masterful, Spirit-inspired exegesis of Psalm 110:1. Peter directly addresses and dismisses the literal ascension of David by appealing to the audience's common knowledge that David was buried and his tomb was still among them (Acts 2:29). This physical reality served as irrefutable evidence that Psalm 110:1, which speaks of a 'Lord' being told to 'sit at God's right hand,' could not possibly be about David himself, despite David being the psalmist.

Instead, Peter reveals David's role as a prophet (Acts 2:30), foresightfully speaking of his own greater "Lord"—the Messiah. This establishes the critical distinction between David, the mortal king, and Christ, the immortal divine Son. Peter's argument pivots on the term "my Lord," signifying that David acknowledged a future descendant who would be sovereign over him and, by implication, divine. This was a profound revelation to a Jewish audience, challenging their preconceptions of the Messiah's identity and showing His unique relationship with God the Father.

The phrase "Sit at My right hand" symbolizes Jesus' post-resurrection exaltation, authority, and kingly reign in heaven, a position of unparalleled power and honor alongside God the Father. This is not merely a symbolic placement but denotes co-regency and active sovereignty over creation and redemptive history. This verse is fundamental for understanding Christ's ascended work as King and High Priest. It explains why Jesus did not remain on earth, but ascended to rule.