Acts 13:37

KJV

But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} he, whom {G3739} God {G2316} raised again {G1453}, saw {G1492} no {G3756} corruption {G1312}.

Complete Jewish Bible

However, the one God raised up did not see decay.

Berean Standard Bible

But the One whom God raised from the dead did not see decay.

American Standard Version

but he whom God raised up saw no corruption.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 13:37 stands as a profound declaration within Paul's sermon in Antioch of Pisidia, asserting the unique and incorruptible nature of Jesus Christ's resurrection. In stark contrast to King David, who "saw corruption" after his death, Jesus, whom God raised, experienced no decay, thereby fulfilling ancient prophecy and confirming His divine identity and the perfection of His victory over death. This verse forms a cornerstone of the apostolic proclamation, underscoring the physical reality and theological significance of Christ's triumph over the grave.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 13:37 is situated within the heart of Paul's inaugural recorded sermon in a synagogue, specifically in Antioch of Pisidia, as detailed in [Acts 13:16-41](/acts/13-16-41 "Paul's Sermon in Antioch of Pisidia"). This sermon meticulously traces God's redemptive history from the calling of Israel, through the Davidic covenant, to the advent of John the Baptist, culminating in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Paul systematically presents Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah, substantiating his claims with Old Testament prophecies. Immediately preceding verse 37, Paul contrasts Jesus with King David, stating that David, despite being a man after God's own heart, "fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption" ([Acts 13:36](/acts/13-36 "Acts 13:36 - David's Death and Corruption")). Verse 37 then provides the climactic counter-point, emphasizing Christ's distinct and superior resurrection, thus serving as the linchpin for Paul's argument for Jesus' Messiahship and divine authority.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul's sermon took place in a synagogue, a common setting for early Christian evangelism, where Jewish attendees and God-fearing Gentiles would gather to hear the Law and Prophets. Antioch of Pisidia was a Roman colony in Galatia, a significant city for the spread of the Gospel. The audience would have been deeply familiar with the Old Testament, particularly the figure of King David, revered as Israel's greatest king and the progenitor of the Messiah. The concept of physical death and decay was a universal human experience, making the claim of a body not seeing corruption revolutionary. Paul's appeal to [Psalm 16:10](/psalms/16-10 "Psalm 16:10 - The Holy One Will Not See Corruption"), which speaks of God's "Holy One" not seeing corruption, would have resonated with their understanding of prophetic expectation, allowing Paul to bridge the gap between their heritage and the new revelation in Christ.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes prevalent in the book of Acts and broader New Testament theology. Foremost is the **Resurrection of Jesus Christ**, presented not merely as a resuscitation but as a unique, incorruptible triumph over death, distinguishing Him from all other human beings, including revered figures like David. This leads to the theme of **Fulfillment of Prophecy**, as Paul explicitly links Christ's incorruptible resurrection to Old Testament texts, particularly [Psalm 16:10](/psalms/16-10 "Psalm 16:10 - Prophecy of Christ's Incorruption"), demonstrating Jesus as the true Messiah foretold by the prophets. Furthermore, the verse highlights **Christ's Uniqueness and Divine Nature**, as His victory over decay signifies His absolute perfection and His status as the Son of God. It also undergirds the theme of **Salvation and Hope**, as Christ's incorruptible resurrection serves as the guarantee of future resurrection and eternal life for believers, a promise further expounded in passages like [1 Corinthians 15](/1_corinthians/15 "1 Corinthians 15 - The Resurrection Chapter").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **But (Greek, _dé'_):** This particle serves as an adversative or continuative conjunction, here emphasizing a strong contrast. It signals a shift from the previous statement about David's corruption to the unique outcome for Jesus, highlighting the stark difference in their post-death experience. It sets up the central argument of Christ's distinct resurrection.
* **raised again (Greek, _egeírō'_):** This verb means "to waken," "rouse," or "raise up." In the context of death, it specifically refers to being brought back to life from the dead. Its use here underscores the divine agency involved ("God raised again"), emphasizing that Jesus' resurrection was not a natural occurrence but a miraculous act of God, signifying His power over death.
* **saw (Greek, _eídō'_):** This verb primarily means "to see," but in its perfect tense, as implied here, it carries the nuance of "to know" or "to experience." Thus, "saw no corruption" means Jesus did not experience or undergo the process of decay. This emphasizes the physical reality and completeness of His preservation from decomposition.
* **corruption (Greek, _diaphthorá'_):** Derived from a word meaning "to destroy thoroughly," _diaphthorá_ refers specifically to decay, decomposition, or putrefaction, particularly of a dead body. Its negation ("no corruption") is central to the verse's meaning, asserting that Jesus' body remained physically intact and free from the natural process of biological breakdown, a powerful testament to His unique resurrection.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But he, whom God raised again,"**: This clause immediately establishes a contrast with the preceding verse (Acts 13:36), which describes David's death and subsequent corruption. The "he" refers to Jesus, and the phrase "whom God raised again" explicitly attributes the resurrection to divine power, emphasizing that Jesus' return to life was not self-initiated but an act of God the Father, validating Jesus' claims and mission.
* **"saw no corruption."**: This is the pivotal assertion of the verse. Building on the previous clause, it declares the unique nature of Jesus' resurrection. Unlike all other human bodies, including that of the revered King David, Jesus' body did not undergo the natural process of decay or decomposition after death. This physical preservation is presented as evidence of His divine nature, His sinlessness, and the complete victory He achieved over death and the grave, fulfilling ancient prophecies.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Acts 13:37 is **Contrast**. Paul deliberately juxtaposes the fate of King David, who "saw corruption" ([Acts 13:36](/acts/13-36 "Acts 13:36 - David's Death and Corruption")), with that of Jesus, who "saw no corruption." This stark comparison highlights the radical uniqueness of Christ's resurrection, distinguishing it from the common human experience of death and decay. This contrast serves to elevate Jesus above all other figures, including Israel's greatest king, thereby underscoring His divine nature and messianic identity. Furthermore, the verse functions as a powerful **Assertion** of a foundational theological truth, presented as an undeniable fact that validates the entire Christian message.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 13:37 is a cornerstone of Christian theology, affirming the absolute triumph of Jesus Christ over death and decay, a victory that distinguishes Him uniquely as the Son of God and the promised Messiah. The physical incorruptibility of His resurrected body is not merely a biological anomaly but a profound theological statement: it attests to His sinlessness, for sin is the root of death and decay, and it confirms the perfection of His atoning sacrifice. Because He saw no corruption, His resurrection is not a mere resuscitation but a transformation into a glorified, eternal state, providing the ultimate guarantee of eternal life and future resurrection for all who believe. This truth undergirds the entire Christian hope, demonstrating that death has been conquered and a new, incorruptible life is available through Him.

* [Psalm 16:10](/psalms/16-10 "Psalm 16:10 - Prophecy of Christ's Incorruption"): "For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption."
* [Acts 2:27](/acts/2-27 "Acts 2:27 - Peter's Sermon on Christ's Incorruption"): "Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption."
* [1 Corinthians 15:20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ as the Firstfruits of Resurrection"): "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The profound truth of Acts 13:37 offers immense comfort, certainty, and hope to believers. In a world constantly confronting decay, loss, and the inevitability of physical death, Christ's incorruptible resurrection stands as an unshakeable anchor for our faith. It assures us that His victory over sin and death was absolute and complete, providing the solid foundation for our salvation. We are not trusting in a dead savior, but in one who lives, reigns, and has conquered the grave. This reality empowers us to face our own mortality with courage, knowing that just as Christ's body saw no corruption, those who are "in Christ" will also experience a future bodily resurrection into incorruptible, glorified bodies. This truth calls us to live with an eternal perspective, investing our lives in that which endures, and to share this glorious hope with a world desperately in need of it.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the unique, incorruptible nature of Christ's resurrection deepen your understanding of His divine identity and power?**
* **In what ways does the promise of our own future incorruptible bodies, guaranteed by Christ's resurrection, impact your daily life and priorities?**
* **How can the truth of Christ's victory over corruption strengthen your hope and resolve in the face of suffering, loss, or the fear of death?**

### FAQ

**Why is it significant that Jesus "saw no corruption" when others, even David, did?**

Answer: The significance lies in the theological implications of "corruption" (Greek: _diaphthorá_), which refers to physical decay and decomposition after death. For Jesus to "see no corruption" means His body did not undergo this natural process. This is crucial for several reasons:
* **Fulfillment of Prophecy:** It directly fulfills prophecies like [Psalm 16:10](/psalms/16-10 "Psalm 16:10 - The Holy One Will Not See Corruption"), which foretold that God's "Holy One" would not see decay. This confirms Jesus' identity as the promised Messiah.
* **Evidence of Sinlessness:** Decay is a consequence of the curse of sin ([Genesis 3:19](/genesis/3-19 "Genesis 3:19 - Return to Dust")). Jesus, being without sin ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Knew No Sin")), was not subject to the full effects of the curse, including physical decomposition.
* **Uniqueness of His Resurrection:** Unlike Lazarus or others who were resuscitated and later died, Jesus' resurrection was a transformation into an incorruptible, glorified body. This makes His resurrection qualitatively different and superior, establishing Him as the "firstfruits" of a new creation ([1 Corinthians 15:20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ as the Firstfruits")). It signifies His complete victory over death, not just a temporary reprieve.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 13:37 is a pivotal declaration of Christ's triumph, serving as a foundational truth upon which the entire edifice of New Testament theology is built. Jesus' incorruptible resurrection is the ultimate vindication of His claims and the Father's seal of approval on His atoning work. His body, unlike any other, did not succumb to the natural processes of decay, signifying His sinless perfection and His absolute victory over the power of death and the grave. This unique event is the "firstfruits" of a new humanity, guaranteeing the future bodily resurrection of all who believe in Him ([1 Corinthians 15:20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ as the Firstfruits")). Because Christ was raised incorruptible, believers are promised that their perishable bodies will one day be clothed with imperishability, and their mortal bodies with immortality ([1 Corinthians 15:53](/1_corinthians/15-53 "1 Corinthians 15:53 - Our Future Incorruptible Bodies")). His incorruption is the bedrock of our hope, assuring us that death has lost its sting ([1 Corinthians 15:55](/1_corinthians/15-55 "1 Corinthians 15:55 - Death's Sting Removed")) and that through Him, we too will share in eternal, glorified life, forever free from the dominion of decay and death.

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

Acts 13:30

But God raised him from the dead:

Acts 2:24

Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.