Acts 2:33

Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

Therefore {G3767} being {G5312} by the right hand {G1188} of God {G2316} exalted {G5312}, and {G5037} having received {G2983} of {G3844} the Father {G3962} the promise {G1860} of the Holy {G40} Ghost {G4151}, he hath shed forth {G1632} this {G5124}, which {G3739} ye {G5210} now {G3568} see {G991} and {G2532} hear {G191}.

โ€œMoreover, he has been exalted to the right hand of God; has received from the Father what he promised, namely, the Ruach HaKodesh; and has poured out this gift, which you are both seeing and hearing.

Exalted, then, to the right hand of God, He has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.

Being therefore by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he hath poured forth this, which ye see and hear.

Commentary

Acts 2:33 is a pivotal statement by the Apostle Peter during his sermon on the Day of Pentecost, explaining the miraculous outpouring of the Holy Spirit witnessed by the crowd. It concisely summarizes the exalted status of Jesus Christ and the consequential gift of the Spirit.

Context

This verse comes in the middle of Peter's powerful sermon, delivered to a diverse crowd in Jerusalem who were astonished by the disciples speaking in various languages. Peter meticulously explains that these phenomena are not drunken babbling, but the direct fulfillment of ancient prophecy and the immediate result of Jesus' resurrection and ascension. He has just laid out compelling evidence for Jesus' identity as the Messiah, drawing from Old Testament scriptures like Psalm 16 and Psalm 110. Acts 2:33 serves as the logical conclusion, connecting Jesus' glorification directly to the visible and audible manifestations of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4).

Key Themes

  • Jesus' Exaltation and Authority: The phrase "by the right hand of God exalted" underscores Jesus' post-resurrection glorification and His divine authority, having ascended to the place of ultimate power and honor. This signifies His successful completion of His earthly mission and His current reign in heaven.
  • The Promise Fulfilled: The verse highlights that Jesus "received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost." This refers to God's long-standing promise of sending His Spirit, reiterated by Jesus Himself before His ascension (Luke 24:49, John 14:26). The outpouring on Pentecost is the tangible fulfillment of this divine covenant.
  • The Holy Spirit's Outpouring: The core message is that Jesus "hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear." The visible and audible signs (speaking in tongues, prophetic utterances) were undeniable evidence of the Holy Spirit's arrival, marking a new era of God's direct indwelling and empowerment for believers. This event directly fulfills prophecies like Joel 2:28-29, which Peter quotes earlier in his sermon.

Linguistic Insights

The term "exalted" comes from the Greek word hypsoo (แฝ‘ฯˆฯŒฯ‰), meaning to lift up, elevate, or glorify. It conveys the idea of Jesus being raised to a position of supreme honor and power at God's side. The phrase "shed forth" is from the Greek ekcheo (แผฮบฯ‡ฮญฯ‰), which means to pour out, often in abundance or profusely. This emphasizes the generous and abundant nature of the Holy Spirit's gift, not just a trickle but a mighty outpouring.

Practical Application

Acts 2:33 assures believers that the Holy Spirit is not merely a historical phenomenon but an active, empowering presence in the world today, sent by the exalted Christ. It reminds us that God keeps His promises, and that the power of the Holy Spirit is available to equip believers for witness and service, just as it did for the early church. The visible and tangible evidence of the Spirit's work, though perhaps different from Pentecost, continues to manifest in changed lives, spiritual gifts, and the spread of the Gospel. This verse encourages us to recognize and rely on the Holy Spirit's ongoing work in our lives and in the church.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.
The Historical Reliability of the Book of Acts An Analysis of Peter's Sermon at Pentecost (Acts 2) 3 Key Turning Points in the Book of Acts Peter's Sermon at Pentecost An Introduction to the Acts of the Apostles: The Birth of the Church

Cross-References

  • Acts 1:4

    And, being assembled together with [them], commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, [saith he], ye have heard of me.

  • Acts 5:31

    Him hath God exalted with his right hand [to be] a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

  • Acts 2:17

    And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

  • John 14:26

    But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

  • John 16:7

    ยถ Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

  • John 16:15

    All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew [it] unto you.

  • Mark 16:19

    ยถ So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
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