Acts 2:31

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 2:31 stands as a profound declaration within Peter's Pentecost sermon, asserting the literal and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. Peter, divinely inspired, interprets King David's prophetic words in Psalm 16 as a direct foretelling of the Messiah's triumph over death, specifically that His soul would not be abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor would His physical body experience decay. This verse serves as a foundational pillar for the early Christian proclamation, establishing Jesus's identity as the Christ and validating His victory over the grave.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 2:31 is nestled within the climactic portion of Peter's sermon delivered on the Day of Pentecost, immediately following the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. After explaining the miraculous speaking in tongues as a fulfillment of Joel's prophecy ([Acts 2:17-21](/acts/2-17-21 "Peter's Quote of Joel's Prophecy")), Peter shifts his focus to Jesus of Nazareth. He meticulously builds his case, moving from Jesus's attested life and crucifixion ([Acts 2:22-23](/acts/2-22-23 "Jesus' Life, Death, and God's Plan")) to God's act of raising Him from the dead ([Acts 2:24](/acts/2-24 "God Raised Jesus from the Dead")). To substantiate this, Peter quotes Psalm 16:8-11 ([Acts 2:25-28](/acts/2-25-28 "Peter Quotes Psalm 16")), arguing that David, the psalmist, could not have been speaking of himself, as his tomb was still present and his body had indeed seen corruption ([Acts 2:29](/acts/2-29 "Peter's Argument About David's Tomb")). Therefore, David, being a prophet, foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, which is the very point Acts 2:31 articulates.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Jerusalem during the Feast of Pentecost, a significant Jewish pilgrimage festival. The audience is a diverse crowd of devout Jews and proselytes from various nations ([Acts 2:5-11](/acts/2-5-11 "Diverse Crowd at Pentecost")). For this Jewish audience, the concept of resurrection was familiar, though interpretations varied, particularly between the Pharisees (who believed in it) and the Sadducees (who denied it). The idea of a Messiah was deeply ingrained in Jewish expectation, but the notion of a suffering and resurrected Messiah was revolutionary. Peter's sermon leverages their understanding of the Old Testament Scriptures, particularly the Psalms, to demonstrate that Jesus fulfills these ancient prophecies. The immediate historical context is the nascent Christian movement, empowered by the Holy Spirit, beginning its public proclamation of Jesus as the resurrected Lord in the very city where He was crucified.
* **Key Themes:** Acts 2:31 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Acts and broader New Testament theology. The most prominent is the **Resurrection of Jesus Christ**, which is presented not merely as a historical event but as the central, undeniable proof of Jesus's divine identity and messianic claim. This verse underscores the theme of **Prophecy Fulfilled**, showing how the Old Testament, particularly the Psalms, intricately foretold the coming and triumph of the Messiah. Peter's argument highlights the **Reliability of God's Word** and His sovereign plan, demonstrating that God orchestrates history to bring about His purposes. Furthermore, it establishes Jesus's **Victory Over Death and Hades**, asserting that death had no ultimate dominion over Him, a crucial theological point that underpins the hope of salvation and eternal life for believers, as seen in passages like [1 Corinthians 15](/1_corinthians/15 "1 Corinthians 15 - The Resurrection Chapter").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **proeídō (Greek, _proeídō'_):** From πρό (pro, "before") and εἴδω (eídō, "to see"), this word means "to foresee" or "to see beforehand." In Acts 2:31, it emphasizes David's prophetic insight. Peter asserts that David, inspired by the Holy Spirit, did not merely speak generally but specifically "saw this before"—he had a divinely granted foresight into the resurrection of the Messiah, which would involve His soul not being abandoned to Hades and His body not undergoing corruption. This highlights the preordained nature of Christ's resurrection.
* **háidēs (Greek, _háidēs'_):** This term refers to the "unseen" realm or the "place (state) of departed souls." It is commonly translated as "hell" in the KJV, but in this context, it signifies the abode of the dead, not necessarily the place of eternal punishment (Gehenna). The crucial point of the verse is that Jesus's soul, though it entered this realm, did not *remain* there; it was not "left" or abandoned to its power, signifying a temporary passage rather than a permanent state.
* **diaphthorá (Greek, _diaphthorá'_):** Meaning "decay," "decomposition," or "corruption," this word describes the natural process of organic matter breaking down after death. Peter's argument hinges on the fact that Jesus's physical flesh did *not* experience this process. This absence of corruption is presented as irrefutable evidence of a unique, supernatural resurrection, distinguishing Jesus from all other deceased individuals, including David himself, whose body did indeed decay.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ":** This opening clause establishes the prophetic nature of David's words. Peter attributes to David a divinely inspired foresight ("seeing this before") regarding a future event: the "resurrection of Christ." This implies that David, as a prophet, was speaking not of himself, but of the Messiah, whose resurrection was a preordained divine act. The focus is on Christ as the subject of David's prophecy.
* **"that his soul was not left in hell":** This clause directly quotes and interprets Psalm 16:10. "His soul" refers to Christ's soul, and "hell" (Greek: _Hades_) refers to the realm of the dead. The crucial point is the negation "was not left." While Christ's soul descended into Hades after His death, it was not abandoned there. This signifies a temporary stay, a passage through the realm of the dead, rather than a permanent imprisonment, demonstrating His power over death's domain.
* **"neither his flesh did see corruption":** This second part of the interpretation further clarifies the nature of Christ's resurrection. "His flesh" refers to Christ's physical body. "Did see corruption" means to undergo the natural process of decay or decomposition. The emphatic "neither" reinforces the previous negation. Peter's argument is that unlike ordinary human bodies, including David's, Jesus's body did not experience putrefaction. This physical preservation is presented as undeniable proof of His unique, miraculous, and divine resurrection, setting Him apart as the Holy One of God.

#### Literary Devices
Peter's sermon, and specifically Acts 2:31, masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. **Prophetic Fulfillment** is the overarching device, as Peter meticulously demonstrates how David's ancient words in Psalm 16 directly and exclusively apply to Jesus's resurrection. This involves a sophisticated form of **Exposition** and **Argumentation**, where Peter first quotes the prophecy, then systematically eliminates David as the subject, thereby logically concluding that the prophecy must refer to the Messiah. The use of **Negation** ("was not left," "neither...did see") powerfully emphasizes the unique aspects of Christ's resurrection—His soul's triumph over Hades and His body's preservation from decay—creating a strong **Contrast** between Christ's fate and that of ordinary mortals, including the revered King David. This rhetorical strategy builds an irrefutable case for Jesus's messianic identity and divine power.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 2:31 is a cornerstone of Christian theology, affirming the absolute necessity and reality of Christ's resurrection. It establishes that Jesus's victory over death was not merely spiritual but also physical, ensuring that His body did not undergo decay and His soul was not permanently held captive by the grave. This truth is foundational to the gospel message, demonstrating Jesus's unique identity as the Son of God and the promised Messiah. Theologically, it underscores God's faithfulness in fulfilling His ancient promises and His sovereign power over life and death. The preservation of Jesus's body from corruption is a powerful sign of His sinless nature and His ultimate triumph, setting Him apart as the "Holy One" who could not be held by death's grip.

* [Psalm 16:10](/psalm/16-10 "Psalm 16:10 - The Prophecy of Resurrection")
* [1 Corinthians 15:3-4](/1_corinthians/15-3-4 "1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - The Gospel Message of Christ's Death and Resurrection")
* [Romans 1:3-4](/romans/1-3-4 "Romans 1:3-4 - Jesus Declared Son of God by Resurrection")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 2:31 offers profound assurance and a call to faith for believers today. The historical and physical reality of Jesus's resurrection, as powerfully articulated by Peter, is the bedrock of our hope. It means that death, which is the ultimate enemy, has been decisively conquered by Christ. For those who trust in Him, death is not an end but a transition, because He has gone before us, defeating the grave's power. This verse reassures us that our faith is not in vain, for if Christ was not raised, our preaching is empty and our faith is futile ([1 Corinthians 15:14](/1_corinthians/15-14 "1 Corinthians 15:14 - The Futility of Faith Without Resurrection")). It also calls us to live with the confidence of Christ's victory, knowing that He is alive and reigns. This truth empowers us to face our own mortality and the challenges of life with courage, knowing that the same power that raised Christ from the dead is at work in us ([Ephesians 1:19-20](/ephesians/1-19-20 "Ephesians 1:19-20 - God's Incomparably Great Power")).

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the physical reality of Jesus's resurrection, as emphasized in Acts 2:31, strengthen your faith and hope?**
* **In what ways does Christ's victory over death and corruption, as described here, impact your perspective on suffering and mortality?**
* **How does understanding the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy in Jesus deepen your trust in the reliability of God's Word?**

### FAQ

**What does "his soul was not left in hell" mean in this context?**

Answer: In Acts 2:31, "hell" translates the Greek word _Hades_ (ᾅδης), which refers to the unseen realm of the dead, the abode of departed spirits. It is not necessarily the place of eternal punishment (Gehenna). The phrase "his soul was not left in hell" means that Jesus's soul, after His death, did indeed enter the realm of the dead, but it was not abandoned or permanently held captive there. This signifies a temporary passage, emphasizing His triumph over death's dominion and His subsequent resurrection. It aligns with the understanding that Christ descended to the dead, but then rose victoriously, as mentioned in [Ephesians 4:9](/ephesians/4-9 "Ephesians 4:9 - Christ's Descent to the Lower Parts of the Earth").

**Why is it significant that "neither his flesh did see corruption"?**

Answer: The phrase "neither his flesh did see corruption" is profoundly significant because it highlights the unique and miraculous nature of Jesus's resurrection. "Corruption" refers to the natural process of physical decay or decomposition that all human bodies undergo after death. Peter's argument, drawing from [Psalm 16:10](/psalm/16-10 "Psalm 16:10 - The Prophecy of Not Seeing Corruption"), is that unlike King David or any other human, Jesus's physical body did not experience this decay. This preservation from corruption is presented as irrefutable proof of His divine identity and His complete victory over death, confirming that He is indeed the Holy One of God whom death could not hold. It signifies a perfect and unblemished resurrection, distinct from any ordinary return to life.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 2:31 stands as a powerful declaration of Christ's ultimate victory, revealing how Old Testament prophecy finds its perfect and climactic fulfillment in Jesus. Peter's sermon meticulously unpacks David's words in [Psalm 16](/psalm/16 "Psalm 16 - A Prophetic Psalm of the Messiah"), demonstrating that the psalmist, inspired by God, was not speaking of his own destiny but of the Messiah's triumph over death. The promise that "his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption" points directly to Jesus, who, though He truly died and His spirit descended to the realm of the dead, was not abandoned there. Instead, He was raised on the third day, His body miraculously preserved from decay, fulfilling the very words spoken centuries before. This event is the cornerstone of the New Testament message, proving Jesus's identity as the Son of God ([Romans 1:4](/romans/1-4 "Romans 1:4 - Declared Son of God by Resurrection")) and establishing Him as the "firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" ([1 Corinthians 15:20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ as the Firstfruits of Resurrection")). His resurrection guarantees the future resurrection and eternal life for all who believe in Him, transforming death from a finality into a conquered foe through His glorious victory ([John 11:25-26](/john/11-25-26 "John 11:25-26 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the 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

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.