Acts 24 15

Acts 24:15 kjv

And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

Acts 24:15 nkjv

I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.

Acts 24:15 niv

and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.

Acts 24:15 esv

having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust.

Acts 24:15 nlt

I have the same hope in God that these men have, that he will raise both the righteous and the unrighteous.

Acts 24 verses

Acts 24 15 Meaning

Acts 24:15 declares Paul's firm belief and hopeful expectation in a future bodily resurrection for all people, both those who have lived righteously and those who have lived unrighteously. This belief is not unique to him but is also affirmed by a segment of his Jewish accusers. It posits a divine act of raising the dead from their sleep in the earth, leading to a coming judgment or final state.

Acts 24 15 Context

Acts 24 records Paul's trial before the Roman governor Felix in Caesarea. Paul, falsely accused by the Jewish high priest Ananias and an orator named Tertullus, delivers his defense. Verse 15 is central to this defense. He asserts that his current preaching and life align with the true hope found within Judaism, specifically the belief in a resurrection, a point which directly challenged the Sadducees, who did not believe in resurrection (Acts 23:8), while aligning him with the Pharisees' core belief (Acts 23:6). This statement emphasizes that his Gospel message is not a radical break from his ancestral faith but rather its fulfillment, centered on the promised resurrection which even some of his accusers anticipate. Historically, belief in bodily resurrection was a distinguishing mark within Second Temple Judaism, particularly after the Maccabean period, though not universally held. Paul's statement is both an apologetic for his faith and a strategic maneuver to highlight internal divisions among his accusers.

Acts 24 15 Word analysis

• And have hope: Greek echōn elpida. Elpida (hope) here signifies not a mere wishful desire, but a confident, certain expectation based on God's character, faithfulness, and explicit promises revealed in the Old Testament. This hope is active and central to Paul's life and preaching.

• toward God: Greek eis ton Theon. This preposition indicates the direction, source, and object of Paul's hope. His confident expectation is rooted in and directed towards God himself, implying divine power and faithfulness as the guarantor of the resurrection. It is not an abstract concept but a Person.

• which they themselves also allow: Greek hēn kai autoi houtoi prosdechontai.

  • autoi houtoi ("these very ones," "they themselves"): Emphasizes that this shared belief is held even by those accusing Paul. It refers to at least a faction among his Jewish accusers, specifically the Pharisees who believed in resurrection, as seen in Acts 23:6-8.
  • prosdechontai (allow/accept/await): Signifies an active expectation and acceptance. They not only acknowledge the concept but genuinely look forward to it. This highlights a common ground between Paul and many Jews, underscoring that his teaching on resurrection aligns with prophetic tradition rather than being an innovation. This also served as a subtle polemic against the Sadducees who denied the resurrection.

• that there shall be a resurrection: Greek anastasin mellein esesthai.

  • anastasin (resurrection): Literally "a standing up again," referring to the raising of the body from the dead, not merely the immortality of the soul. This concept distinguishes biblical thought from many Hellenistic philosophical ideas that often disdained the physical body.
  • mellein esesthai (is to be/is about to be): Expresses the certainty and future inevitability of this event. It is a definite, divinely decreed future happening.

• of the dead: Greek nekrōn. Universal in scope, encompassing all who have died, emphasizing that this resurrection is not limited to a select few but extends to humanity.

• both of the just and unjust: Greek dikaiōn te kai adikōn. This crucial phrase clarifies the comprehensive nature of the resurrection.

  • dikaiōn (just/righteous): Refers to those deemed righteous, typically understood as those who believed God and lived accordingly (for the Old Testament saints) and those who are in Christ (for New Testament believers).
  • adikōn (unjust/unrighteous): Refers to those who are outside of God's saving grace and did not live righteously.
  • The pairing highlights that resurrection is for all people, but their subsequent destinies will differ based on their righteousness (or lack thereof), leading to judgment. This distinguishes it from the Sadducees' belief that there was no life after death at all, and it builds upon earlier Jewish apocalyptic literature (e.g., Daniel 12:2) which spoke of a dual resurrection.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow": Paul grounds his belief in a hope shared even by his accusers (the Pharisees), directing their common belief toward God's character and power. He asserts that his "new" Christian faith is deeply rooted in ancestral Jewish expectations and prophecies, making his "heresy" sound more like a fulfillment of shared faith.
  • "that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust": This segment outlines the substance of Paul's hope: a comprehensive bodily resurrection. The universality of this resurrection for both the righteous and unrighteous highlights that everyone will eventually face God. This aligns with Jesus' teaching in John 5:28-29, predicting two outcomes stemming from a single universal resurrection event. This universal scope prepares the ground for divine judgment, underscoring human accountability.

Acts 24 15 Bonus section

The Greek word prosdechontai for "allow" or "accept" is important as it implies not just tolerance, but an active expectation. Many scholarly interpretations emphasize that Paul wasn't just stating that they tolerate the idea, but they themselves are also looking forward to this resurrection. This deepens the common ground Paul sought to establish with the Pharisaic contingent among his accusers, positioning his own faith not as opposition, but as shared conviction and fulfillment. Furthermore, this verse highlights one of the most significant theological divisions within Judaism during the Second Temple period, primarily between the Sadducees, who rejected the resurrection, and the Pharisees, who strongly believed in it. Paul, a former Pharisee, used this to his advantage, not to deny his unique belief in Christ, but to affirm the deep continuity between his past and present beliefs regarding life after death and divine justice. This concept of universal resurrection serves as a critical pre-requisite for final judgment, affirming that no one escapes ultimate divine review of their deeds.

Acts 24 15 Commentary

Acts 24:15 is a foundational theological statement from Paul's defense, skillfully linking his Christian faith with deeply held Jewish beliefs, particularly those of the Pharisees. Paul's "hope toward God" signifies a robust, confident expectation rooted in God's divine promise, not a mere wish. This resurrection is not exclusive to Israel, nor is it simply a spiritual concept; it is a future, definite, and universal bodily raising for all humanity. By emphasizing "both the just and unjust," Paul confirms a dual outcome. For the righteous, it is a resurrection unto life; for the unrighteous, it is a resurrection unto judgment and condemnation, as clarified elsewhere in Scripture. This profound truth ensures justice, confirms God's sovereignty over life and death, and provides the ultimate motivation for righteous living and acceptance of God's provision for righteousness in Christ. It's a cornerstone of the Christian faith, demonstrating continuity with Old Testament prophecy and laying the groundwork for New Testament teachings on final judgment and eternal destinies. This statement effectively demonstrated Paul's adherence to the very scriptures and beliefs his accusers held sacred, reframing his supposed blasphemy into a testimony of their shared eschatological hope.