Acts 2:30

Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;

Therefore {G3767} being {G5225} a prophet {G4396}, and {G2532} knowing {G1492} that {G3754} God {G2316} had sworn {G3660} with an oath {G3727} to him {G846}, that of {G1537} the fruit {G2590} of his {G846} loins {G3751}, according to {G2596} the flesh {G4561}, he would raise up {G450} Christ {G5547} to sit {G2523} on {G1909} his {G846} throne {G2362};

Therefore, since he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn an oath to him that one of his descendants would sit on his throne,

But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that He would place one of his descendants on his throne.

Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins he would set one upon his throne;

Commentary

Acts 2:30 is a pivotal verse in Peter's sermon on the Day of Pentecost, offering a profound theological argument for Jesus Christ's identity and kingship, rooted deeply in Old Testament prophecy.

Context

This verse is part of the Apostle Peter's powerful sermon to the Jewish crowd gathered in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost. Having just witnessed the miraculous outpouring of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues, Peter explains these extraordinary events by connecting them to God's ancient promises. He specifically highlights King David, portraying him not merely as a historical monarch but as a prophet who foresaw the coming of the Messiah. Peter is building a compelling case for Jesus' messianic claims, directly appealing to the Jewish audience's understanding of their own scriptures and the long-awaited King from David's lineage.

Key Themes

  • David's Prophetic Insight: Peter emphasizes that David, though deceased, spoke prophetically about the future resurrection and reign of the Messiah. David understood that God's promise to establish his kingdom forever was not merely about his physical descendants, but about a specific, divine descendant who would be the Christ.
  • Fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant: The verse directly references God's sworn oath to David, promising that one of his offspring would sit on his throne eternally. Peter asserts that Jesus, through his human lineage ("according to the flesh"), is the precise fulfillment of this ancient and significant covenant.
  • Christ's Royal Exaltation: The phrase "raise up Christ to sit on his throne" speaks to Jesus' resurrection from the dead and subsequent exaltation to a position of ultimate authority and kingship at God's right hand. It signifies that Jesus is not just a prophet or a teacher, but the divinely appointed King of Israel and the world, reigning from the heavenly throne and fulfilling all messianic expectations.

Linguistic Insights

The idiom "fruit of his loins" (Greek: ek karpou tes osphuos autou) is a common biblical expression emphasizing direct physical descent. It underscores Jesus' genuine human lineage from David, a crucial detail for Jewish audiences who awaited a Messiah from the Davidic line. The term "Christ" (Greek: Christos) means "Anointed One," which is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew "Messiah," highlighting Jesus' designated role as the prophesied King and Deliverer.

Related Scriptures

This verse ties directly into several foundational Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah:

Practical Application

Acts 2:30 powerfully reminds believers of the unwavering faithfulness of God to His promises. The precise fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant in Jesus assures us that God's divine plan for salvation and ultimate kingship is unfolding exactly as foretold. It calls us to acknowledge Jesus as the reigning King, not just historically, but presently and eternally. For us today, this truth reinforces that Jesus is indeed the prophesied Messiah, the rightful heir to David's throne, and the one to whom all authority has been given (Matthew 28:18). This profound understanding should inspire deep worship, unwavering trust, and joyful obedience to Him as our sovereign Lord.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.
The Historical Reliability of the Book of Acts An Analysis of Peter's Sermon at Pentecost (Acts 2) 3 Key Turning Points in the Book of Acts Peter's Sermon at Pentecost An Introduction to the Acts of the Apostles: The Birth of the Church

Cross-References

  • Psalms 132:11

    ¶ The LORD hath sworn [in] truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.

  • Psalms 132:18

    His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish.

  • Psalms 89:3

    I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant,

  • Psalms 89:4

    Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah.

  • Jeremiah 33:14

    Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will perform that good thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel and to the house of Judah.

  • Jeremiah 33:15

    In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land.

  • 2 Samuel 7:11

    And as since the time that I commanded judges [to be] over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house.
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