Acts 13:32

KJV

And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} we {G2249} declare {G2097} unto you {G5209} glad tidings {G2097}, how that {G3754} the promise {G1860} which was made {G1096} unto {G4314} the fathers {G3962},

Complete Jewish Bible

“As for us, we are bringing you the Good News that what God promised to the fathers,

Berean Standard Bible

And now we proclaim to you the good news: What God promised our fathers

American Standard Version

And we bring you good tidings of the promise made unto the fathers,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 13:32 captures the climactic moment in Paul's sermon at Pisidian Antioch, where he transitions from a historical overview of Israel to the core of the Gospel message. He announces to his Jewish and God-fearing Gentile audience the "glad tidings" that God's ancient promise, made to the patriarchs of Israel, has now been definitively fulfilled. This declaration sets the stage for Paul to reveal Jesus Christ as the long-awaited Messiah, the ultimate embodiment of God's faithfulness and redemptive plan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within Paul's inaugural recorded sermon in Acts, delivered in the synagogue at Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:16-41). Paul meticulously traces God's redemptive history, beginning with the Exodus, through the period of the judges, the establishment of the monarchy under Saul and David, and the prophetic anticipation of a Messiah. Having laid this historical groundwork from [Acts 13:17-25](/acts/13-17-25 "Paul's Historical Overview"), Paul then introduces John the Baptist as the forerunner to Jesus (Acts 13:24-25). Acts 13:32 serves as the crucial pivot point, where Paul shifts from recounting the past to proclaiming the present reality of God's redemptive work in Jesus. It signals the immediate revelation of the "good news" that is the culmination of all prior divine activity and promise.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul's audience in the synagogue consisted of both Jews and "God-fearers" (Gentiles who adhered to Jewish monotheism and ethical standards but had not fully converted). For this audience, the concept of a divine "promise" made to their "fathers" (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) was foundational to their identity and hope. They understood these promises to include land, nationhood, and crucially, a deliverer or Messiah. Paul's declaration would resonate deeply with their expectation of God's faithfulness to His covenant people. Pisidian Antioch was a Roman colony, a strategic location for Paul's missionary endeavors, allowing the Gospel to spread efficiently through established trade routes and Roman infrastructure.
* **Key Themes:** Acts 13:32 introduces and reinforces several critical themes that permeate the book of Acts and Paul's theology. The most prominent is the **Fulfillment of Promise**, highlighting that God's ancient covenants, particularly those made to Abraham and David, find their ultimate realization in Jesus Christ. This underscores God's unwavering **Faithfulness** across generations, demonstrating that His purposes are never thwarted, even when centuries pass between promise and fulfillment. Furthermore, the phrase "glad tidings" emphasizes the **Nature of the Gospel** as supremely good news, a message of joy, hope, and salvation, echoing the angelic proclamation at Jesus' birth in [Luke 2:10](/luke/2-10 "The Angel's Glad Tidings"). This verse sets the stage for the **Messianic Identity of Jesus**, presenting Him not merely as a historical figure but as the promised deliverer who embodies God's redemptive plan.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **declare glad tidings (Greek, _euangelízō'_):** This verb, from which we derive "evangelize" and "gospel," means "to announce good news" or "to preach the gospel." In this context, Paul is not merely relaying information but proclaiming a message of profound joy and hope—the very essence of the Christian message concerning salvation through Christ. It signifies a public, authoritative declaration of a divinely significant event.
* **promise (Greek, _epangelía'_):** This noun refers to an "announcement," "assent," or "pledge," specifically a "divine assurance of good." It carries the weight of God's covenantal faithfulness, pointing to the solemn, unbreakable commitment God made to His people throughout their history, particularly to the patriarchs. The use of this term highlights the continuity of God's redemptive plan from the Old Testament to the New.
* **fathers (Greek, _patḗr'_):** This term, meaning "father" or "parent," refers here specifically to the patriarchs of Israel—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—and by extension, to the covenantal lineage of the Jewish people. By referencing "the fathers," Paul grounds his message in the historical and theological heritage of his Jewish audience, emphasizing that the "glad tidings" are not a new, disconnected revelation but the long-anticipated fulfillment of what God initiated with their ancestors.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And we declare unto you glad tidings":** This opening clause immediately establishes the nature of Paul's communication. The "we" refers to Paul and Barnabas, acting as God's appointed messengers. The phrase "declare unto you glad tidings" (euangelízō) signifies a formal, authoritative proclamation of profoundly good news. It's an announcement meant to evoke joy and hope, setting the tone for the revelation that follows.
* **"how that the promise which was made unto the fathers":** This clause specifies the content of the "glad tidings." It is not a generic good message, but specifically concerns "the promise" – a singular, pivotal divine pledge. By identifying it as the promise "made unto the fathers," Paul connects his message directly to the ancient covenants with Abraham (e.g., [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1-3 "God's Promise to Abraham")) and David (e.g., [2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12-16 "God's Covenant with David")), thereby establishing continuity between God's historical dealings with Israel and the present reality of Jesus Christ.

#### Literary Devices
Paul's declaration in Acts 13:32 employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Proclamation**, as Paul uses the verb `euangelízō` ("declare glad tidings"), indicating a formal, public, and authoritative announcement of a message of supreme importance. This is not a casual remark but a weighty declaration, designed to capture the audience's attention and convey the momentous nature of the news. There is also a strong sense of **Historical Continuity** and **Fulfillment Language**. By explicitly linking the "glad tidings" to "the promise which was made unto the fathers," Paul establishes an unbreakable theological and historical chain. He is not introducing a new, disconnected religion, but rather demonstrating that the events surrounding Jesus are the direct, long-awaited culmination of God's ancient promises to Israel. This rhetorical strategy would have been particularly effective for his Jewish audience, grounding the radical claims about Jesus within their familiar covenantal framework.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 13:32 is a theological linchpin, asserting the profound continuity of God's redemptive plan across history. It emphasizes that the Gospel is not an arbitrary new development but the climactic fulfillment of divine promises initiated centuries earlier. This highlights God's unwavering faithfulness and His sovereign control over history, demonstrating that His word never returns void. The "glad tidings" are precisely that the long-anticipated Messiah, the heir to the promises made to Abraham and David, has arrived, bringing salvation and restoration. This truth underpins the entire New Testament narrative, affirming that Jesus is the culmination of all Old Testament hopes and prophecies.

* [Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "God's Promise to Abraham")
* [Romans 1:16](/romans/1-16 "The Power of the Gospel")
* [Hebrews 10:23](/hebrews/10-23 "God's Faithfulness to His Promises")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 13:32 serves as a powerful reminder of God's incredible faithfulness and the enduring relevance of His promises. In a world often characterized by broken pledges and unfulfilled expectations, this verse anchors our hope in a God who meticulously works through history to bring His redemptive plan to fruition. For us today, the "glad tidings" are not merely a historical announcement but a living reality that continues to transform lives. It calls us to recognize the profound depth of God's commitment to humanity, a commitment that culminates in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Understanding this continuity should bolster our trust in God's reliability and inspire us to live in light of the fulfilled promise, eagerly anticipating the full realization of His kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the historical continuity of God's promises, as highlighted in this verse, strengthen your faith in His faithfulness today?**
* **In what ways do you personally experience the "glad tidings" of the Gospel as a source of joy and hope in your daily life?**
* **Considering Paul's example, how can we effectively declare the "glad tidings" of Jesus Christ to those around us, connecting it to their own experiences and hopes?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of Paul declaring "glad tidings" specifically about "the promise which was made unto the fathers"?**

Answer: The significance lies in two key aspects: first, the nature of the message, and second, its historical grounding. "Glad tidings" (Greek: `euangelízō`) is the very word from which "gospel" is derived, indicating a message of supreme good news—salvation, forgiveness, and new life through Christ. By linking this message directly to "the promise which was made unto the fathers" (referring to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob), Paul emphasizes that the Gospel is not a new, disconnected religion but the long-anticipated fulfillment of God's ancient covenant with Israel. This continuity would have been crucial for his Jewish audience, demonstrating that Jesus is the true Messiah, the culmination of their history and hope, as prophesied in passages like [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1-3 "God's Covenant with Abraham") and [2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12-16 "God's Covenant with David"). It underscores God's faithfulness and the unfolding of His redemptive plan throughout history.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 13:32 serves as a powerful Christ-centered declaration, revealing Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of God's ancient promises. Paul's "glad tidings" are precisely that the long-awaited Messianic promise, made to the patriarchs and reiterated through the prophets, has been realized in Jesus of Nazareth. This promise, initially given to Abraham that "in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed" ([Genesis 22:18](/genesis/22-18 "God's Promise to Abraham")), and later confirmed to David concerning an eternal kingdom and a descendant on his throne ([2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12-16 "God's Covenant with David")), finds its complete and final embodiment in Christ. Jesus, through His life, death, and resurrection, perfectly accomplishes all that God had promised. His resurrection, which Paul immediately elaborates on in [Acts 13:33-37](/acts/13-33-37 "The Resurrection as Fulfillment"), is the divine attestation that He is indeed the promised Son, the one who brings forgiveness of sins and justification to all who believe, as articulated in [Acts 13:38-39](/acts/13-38-39 "Forgiveness through Jesus"). Thus, the "glad tidings" are the good news of Jesus Christ, in whom all God's promises find their "Yes" and "Amen" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "God's Promises in Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Romans 4:13

For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, [was] not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

Acts 26:6

And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:

Ezekiel 34:23

And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, [even] my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.

Acts 13:38

Be it known unto you therefore, men [and] brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:

Jeremiah 23:5

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

Galatians 3:16

Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

Galatians 3:18

For if the inheritance [be] of the law, [it is] no more of promise: but God gave [it] to Abraham by promise.