Acts 2:25

KJV

For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} David {G1138} speaketh {G3004} concerning {G1519} him {G846}, I foresaw {G4308} the Lord {G2962} always {G1223}{G3956} before {G1799} my {G3450} face, for {G3754} he is {G2076} on {G1537} my {G3450} right hand {G1188}, that {G3363} I should {G4531} not {G3363} be moved {G4531}:

Complete Jewish Bible

For David says this about him:

‘I saw Adonai always before me,
for he is at my right hand,
so that I will not be shaken.

Berean Standard Bible

David says about Him: ‘I saw the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

American Standard Version

For David saith concerning him, I beheld the Lord always before my face; For he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 2:25 is a foundational verse within Peter's powerful sermon on the Day of Pentecost, where he quotes from [Psalm 16:8](/psalms/16-8 "Psalm 16:8 - David's Prophecy of the Messiah") to unequivocally demonstrate that King David, speaking under divine inspiration, prophesied not of himself, but of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. This prophetic utterance serves as a critical proof text in Peter's argument for Jesus' resurrection from the dead and His subsequent exaltation to the right hand of God, establishing Him as the long-awaited Lord and Christ.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 2:25 is embedded within Peter's inaugural sermon on the Day of Pentecost, delivered to a diverse crowd in Jerusalem immediately following the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Peter's address begins by explaining the miraculous speaking in tongues as a fulfillment of Joel's prophecy ([Acts 2:16-21](/acts/2-16-21 "Acts 2:16-21 - Joel's Prophecy Fulfilled")). He then shifts to the central message: the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. Peter systematically builds his case, asserting that Jesus was "delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God" and "crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men" ([Acts 2:23](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23 - The Divine Plan and Human Responsibility")). The climactic point of his argument, leading directly into Acts 2:25, is the declaration that God "raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it" ([Acts 2:24](/acts/2-24 "Acts 2:24 - God Raises Jesus")). Acts 2:25-31 then serves as Peter's scriptural proof from the Old Testament, specifically from the Psalms of David, that the Messiah *must* rise from the dead and not see corruption, a prophecy that could only be fulfilled by Jesus, not David himself.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Day of Pentecost (Shavuot) was one of the three major pilgrimage festivals in Judaism, drawing devout Jews from across the Roman world to Jerusalem. This explains the diverse linguistic groups present, as mentioned in [Acts 2:9-11](/acts/2-9-11 "Acts 2:9-11 - The Multitude from Every Nation"). Peter's audience would have been deeply familiar with the Psalms and held King David in immense reverence as Israel's greatest king and a prophet. The concept of a Messiah, a divinely appointed deliverer, was central to Jewish expectation. Peter's strategy of quoting a revered text like Psalm 16 and reinterpreting it in light of Jesus' resurrection was culturally astute, appealing to their shared heritage and prophetic understanding. The idiom "on my right hand" was universally understood in the ancient Near East as a position of honor, power, protection, and authority. For a king or a person of significance, having someone at their right hand implied unwavering support and partnership.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Acts and the broader New Testament. Firstly, it highlights **Prophetic Fulfillment**, demonstrating that God's ancient promises and prophecies, particularly those concerning the Messiah, are precisely fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth. David, though a great king, was also a prophet who spoke of a future reality beyond his own experience. Secondly, it underscores the **Divine Sovereignty and Plan**, revealing that Jesus' death and resurrection were not accidental but part of God's predetermined will. Thirdly, the phrase "I foresaw the Lord always before my face" speaks to the theme of **Constant Divine Presence and Reliance**, emphasizing a deep, abiding consciousness of God's active involvement and support. Finally, "that I should not be moved" speaks to **Unshakable Security and Triumph**, particularly Jesus' victory over death and the grave, and by extension, the secure foundation offered to believers who trust in His resurrection ([Romans 8:38-39](/romans/8-38-39 "Romans 8:38-39 - Nothing Can Separate Us from God's Love")). This Messianic identity, rooted in resurrection, is central to the early Christian proclamation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **foresaw (Greek, _prooráō'_):** G4308 from πρό (pro, "before") and ὁράω (horao, "to see"). This verb means "to behold in advance," "to notice previously," or in the middle voice, "to keep in one's own view." In Acts 2:25, Peter uses it to convey David's prophetic foresight, indicating that David had a continuous and settled perception of the Lord's presence and future actions concerning the Messiah, even before they occurred. It implies a divinely granted vision or understanding of future events.
* **Lord (Greek, _kýrios'_):** G2962 from κῦρος (kyros, "supremacy"). This term signifies "supreme in authority," "controller," or "Master." It is a title of profound respect and power, often used for God Himself (Yahweh in the Old Testament) and here, applied to Jesus as the resurrected and exalted Christ. Peter's application of _kýrios_ to Jesus in this context is a strong Christological claim, asserting Jesus' divine authority and sovereignty.
* **right hand (Greek, _dexiós'_):** G1188 meaning "the right side or hand." This is a common biblical idiom signifying a position of strength, favor, honor, authority, and assistance. To be "on one's right hand" implies being a chief helper, protector, or champion. In the context of the Messiah, it points to His exalted position of power and authority alongside God the Father, from which He rules and intercedes.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For David speaketh concerning him,"**: Peter introduces the quotation from Psalm 16:8-11, asserting that David, as a prophet, was not speaking about himself but "concerning him," referring to the Messiah, Jesus. This immediately sets up the interpretive framework for the audience, shifting their focus from David's personal experience to his prophetic utterance about a greater figure.
* **"I foresaw the Lord always before my face,"**: This clause, directly from Psalm 16:8, indicates a constant, conscious awareness of God's presence and sovereignty. For David, it was a deep spiritual reality; for Jesus, it speaks to His unwavering communion with the Father, even in the face of suffering and death. It implies a life lived in full dependence and alignment with God's will, with God as the focal point of all vision and purpose.
* **"for he is on my right hand,"**: This phrase signifies unwavering divine support, protection, and strength. The "right hand" is the place of power and honor. For the Messiah, this means God's active presence and assistance, ensuring His triumph over all adversaries, including death. It is the guarantee of divine vindication and exaltation.
* **"that I should not be moved:"**: This concluding clause speaks to the absolute stability, security, and immovability that results from the Lord's constant presence and support. For Jesus, this meant that death could not hold Him, and His mission would not be thwarted. For believers, it signifies an unshakable spiritual foundation in Christ, providing resilience and steadfastness in the face of life's trials and opposition.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 2:25 employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Quotation**, as Peter directly cites [Psalm 16:8](/psalms/16-8 "Psalm 16:8 - David's Prophecy of the Messiah"). This use of Old Testament scripture is a powerful rhetorical strategy, grounding Peter's argument in the revered texts of his Jewish audience. This quotation also functions as a **Prophecy**, with Peter asserting that David's words were not merely autobiographical but divinely inspired foresight concerning the Messiah. Furthermore, the phrase "on my right hand" is a clear **Idiom**, conveying a position of honor, power, and unwavering support, rather than a literal physical placement. Finally, "that I should not be moved" functions as a **Metaphor** for stability and security, implying resistance to spiritual, emotional, or existential disturbance, ultimately referring to the Messiah's triumph over death and the grave.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 2:25 serves as a theological linchpin, connecting the Old Testament's prophetic voice with the New Testament's fulfillment in Jesus Christ. It underscores the reliability of God's Word and His meticulous plan for salvation. The verse highlights the active role of the Triune God: the Father's sovereign plan, the Son's obedient fulfillment, and the Spirit's inspiration of prophecy and empowerment of the early church. It affirms Jesus' unique identity as the Messiah, not merely a great human, but one who transcends death and is exalted to divine authority. This Messianic triumph over death is the bedrock of Christian hope, confirming the power of the resurrection and the ultimate victory of God's kingdom.

* [Psalm 16:8](/psalms/16-8 "Psalm 16:8 - David's Prophecy of the Messiah")
* [Acts 2:31](/acts/2-31 "Acts 2:31 - David Spoke of Christ's Resurrection")
* [Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Jesus, the Pioneer and Perfecter of Faith")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 2:25 offers profound spiritual encouragement and a powerful call to live in conscious awareness of God's presence. Just as Christ, in His humanity, lived with the Father "always before His face," facing unimaginable suffering and death with the assurance of divine support, so too can believers find an unshakable foundation in Him. When we actively cultivate a life where the Lord is "always before our face"—meaning we prioritize His will, His Word, and His presence—we gain a spiritual stability that transcends circumstances. Our security is not in our own strength, wisdom, or resources, but in the resurrected Christ, who is at God's right hand, interceding for us and sustaining us. This truth empowers us to face trials, temptations, and uncertainties with confidence, knowing that we "should not be moved" from our faith, hope, or ultimate destiny in Him. It calls us to a deeper reliance on God's unwavering support, even when the world around us seems to be shaking.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does keeping "the Lord always before my face" practically manifest in my daily decisions and perspectives?**
* **In what areas of my life do I tend to feel "moved" or unstable, and how can the truth of Christ's unshakeable security strengthen me there?**
* **How does understanding Peter's use of Old Testament prophecy in Acts 2:25 deepen my trust in the reliability and interconnectedness of God's Word?**

### FAQ

**Why does Peter quote Psalm 16:8 in his sermon on Pentecost?**

Answer: Peter quotes [Psalm 16:8](/psalms/16-8 "Psalm 16:8 - David's Prophecy of the Messiah") to provide irrefutable scriptural proof for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. His Jewish audience revered King David and the Psalms as divinely inspired. Peter argues that David, though a prophet, died and saw corruption ([Acts 2:29](/acts/2-29 "Acts 2:29 - David's Tomb is Still with Us")). Therefore, David's words in Psalm 16, particularly the promise that "you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption" ([Psalm 16:10](/psalms/16-10 "Psalm 16:10 - The Holy One Will Not See Corruption")), could not have been spoken of himself. Instead, Peter asserts that David was speaking prophetically of the Messiah, Jesus, whose body did not undergo decay and who was raised from the dead. This quotation is central to Peter's theological argument for Jesus' Messianic identity and divine vindication.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 2:25 finds its ultimate and profound Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus of Nazareth, the very person Peter proclaims. David's prophetic words, "I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved," are not merely a general statement of piety but a specific foretelling of the Messiah's unwavering communion with God and His ultimate triumph over death. Jesus, as the incarnate Son, perfectly embodied the spirit of having "the Lord always before His face," living a life of complete obedience and dependence on the Father, even unto the cross. The promise that "He is on my right hand, that I should not be moved" finds its glorious fulfillment in Jesus' resurrection and His subsequent ascension to the Father's right hand ([Acts 2:33](/acts/2-33 "Acts 2:33 - Jesus Exalted at God's Right Hand")). This position signifies His supreme authority, power, and ongoing intercession for His people ([Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ Intercedes for Us")). Thus, David's prophecy, which seemed to speak of an individual's steadfastness, truly points to the Messiah's divine nature, His victory over sin and death, and His eternal reign as Lord of all ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Christ's Exaltation")). Jesus is the One who was not, and could not be, "moved" by the grave, ensuring that all who are in Him share in His unshakeable security and eternal life.

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

Psalms 16:8

¶ I have set the LORD always before me: because [he is] at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

Psalms 16:11

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence [is] fulness of joy; at thy right hand [there are] pleasures for evermore.

Isaiah 41:13

For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

Psalms 62:6

He only [is] my rock and my salvation: [he is] my defence; I shall not be moved.

Psalms 109:31

For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save [him] from those that condemn his soul.

Isaiah 50:7

For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.

Isaiah 50:9

Behold, the Lord GOD will help me; who [is] he [that] shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up.