Acts 2:31

He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

He seeing this before {G4275} spake {G2980} of {G4012} the resurrection {G386} of Christ {G5547}, that {G3754} his {G846} soul {G5590} was {G2641} not {G3756} left {G2641} in {G1519} hell {G86}, neither {G3761} his {G846} flesh {G4561} did see {G1492} corruption {G1312}.

he was speaking in advance about the resurrection of the Messiah, that it was he who was not abandoned in Sh’ol and whose flesh did not see decay.

Foreseeing this, David spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that He was not abandoned to Hades, nor did His body see decay.

he foreseeing this spake of the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was he left unto Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption.

Commentary

Acts 2:31 is a pivotal verse in Peter's sermon on the Day of Pentecost, serving as a cornerstone for his argument regarding the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, unpacks Old Testament prophecy to demonstrate that Jesus is indeed the promised Messiah.

Context

This verse is part of Peter's powerful address to the gathered crowd in Jerusalem, following the miraculous outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4). Peter is explaining the significance of the events they are witnessing, particularly the speaking in tongues, by linking them to the prophecy of Joel (Acts 2:17-21). He then transitions to testifying about Jesus of Nazareth, whom God had attested to by miracles, wonders, and signs (Acts 2:22). Peter argues that Jesus, though crucified, was raised from the dead by God, fulfilling ancient prophecies. Specifically, Peter quotes from Psalm 16:10, which speaks of God not leaving the soul in Hades nor allowing His Holy One to see corruption. Peter then clarifies that King David, the author of the Psalm, could not have been speaking of himself, as his tomb was still among them (Acts 2:29). Therefore, David, being a prophet, foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah.

Key Themes

  • The Resurrection of Christ: The primary message is the literal, physical resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Peter emphasizes that Jesus's soul was not abandoned in the realm of the dead, nor did His body undergo decay. This is the central truth of the Christian faith, demonstrating Jesus's victory over sin and death.
  • Prophecy Fulfilled: The verse powerfully illustrates how Old Testament prophecies, specifically those found in the Psalms, find their ultimate and undeniable fulfillment in Jesus Christ. David, inspired by God, prophesied centuries earlier about an event that would directly apply to the Messiah.
  • Christ's Victory Over Death and the Grave: The statement "his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption" underscores Jesus's triumph. It means that death had no lasting hold on Him, and His body was preserved from the natural process of decay, confirming His divine nature and unique status.

Linguistic Insights

  • The word translated "hell" in the King James Version is Hades (ᾅδης) in the Greek. This term refers to the unseen realm of the dead, the abode of departed spirits, rather than the place of eternal punishment (which is often denoted by Gehenna in the New Testament). The point is that Jesus's soul did not remain in the realm of the dead, but was resurrected.
  • "Corruption" comes from the Greek word diaphthora (διαφθορά), meaning decay, decomposition, or putrefaction. Peter's argument is that Jesus's physical body did not experience this natural process of decay, which is a clear sign of a miraculous and divine resurrection, distinguishing Him from all others, including David himself.

Practical Application

Acts 2:31 provides foundational assurance for believers. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not merely a historical event but the bedrock of Christian hope and faith. It confirms Jesus's identity as the Son of God and the Messiah, validates His teachings, and guarantees the future resurrection of believers (1 Corinthians 15:20-23). This verse reminds us that death is not the end for those who trust in Christ, as He has conquered its power. It reinforces the reliability of God's Word, showing how His ancient promises are perfectly fulfilled in His Son.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Acts 2:27

    Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

  • Psalms 16:10

    For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

  • Acts 13:35

    Wherefore he saith also in another [psalm], Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

  • 1 Peter 1:11

    Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.

  • 1 Peter 1:12

    Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
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