Acts 2:34

For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

For {G1063} David {G1138} is not {G3756} ascended {G305} into {G1519} the heavens {G3772}: but {G1161} he saith {G3004} himself {G846}, The LORD {G2962} said {G2036} unto my {G3450} Lord {G2962}, Sit thou {G2521} on {G1537} my {G3450} right hand {G1188},

For David did not ascend into heaven. But he says,

For David did not ascend into heaven, but he himself says: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand

For David ascended not into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

Commentary

Acts 2:34 is a pivotal verse within Peter's powerful sermon on the Day of Pentecost, where he explains the significance of Jesus' resurrection and ascension. Here, Peter quotes from the Old Testament, specifically Psalm 110:1, to demonstrate that King David, though a revered prophet, did not ascend to heaven in the way that Jesus Christ did. Instead, David prophesied about one who would ascend and be enthroned at God's right hand.

Context

This verse is part of Peter's sermon immediately following the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. The crowd is astonished by the disciples speaking in various tongues, and Peter stands up to explain that this phenomenon is a fulfillment of Joel's prophecy and, more importantly, a testament to Jesus of Nazareth, whom God raised from the dead. Peter systematically builds his argument, first by showing Jesus' miraculous life and crucifixion (Acts 2:22-23), then His resurrection (Acts 2:24-32), and finally His ascension and exaltation. Verse 34 serves as a crucial piece of evidence, using David's own words from Psalm 110:1 to prove that the prophecy of a reigning Lord at God's right hand could not have been about David himself, but about the Messiah, Jesus.

Key Themes

  • The Messiah's Exaltation: The primary theme is the divine exaltation of Jesus Christ. Peter argues that Jesus, unlike David, was not only resurrected but also ascended to heaven and was given a place of supreme authority at God's right hand. This confirms His unique identity as the promised Messiah.
  • Prophetic Fulfillment: The verse highlights the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy in Jesus. David, inspired by the Holy Spirit, spoke of a future Lord who would be enthroned by God. Peter masterfully connects this ancient prophecy to the recent events of Jesus' life, death, resurrection, and ascension to heaven.
  • Divine Authority and Sovereignty: The phrase "Sit thou on my right hand" is a powerful declaration of ultimate authority, honor, and power. It signifies Christ's reign alongside God the Father, underscoring His sovereignty over all creation.

Linguistic Insights

  • "The LORD said unto my Lord": This phrase, directly quoted from Psalm 110:1, is significant. In the original Hebrew of Psalm 110:1, "The LORD" translates the divine name YHWH (Yahweh), referring to God the Father. "My Lord" translates Adonai, a title of respect and authority. Peter's use of this passage emphasizes that David recognized a "Lord" (the Messiah) who was distinct from himself but was also addressed by Yahweh Himself, indicating a divine status for the Messiah.
  • "Sit thou on my right hand": In ancient Near Eastern cultures, sitting at the "right hand" of a king or ruler was the highest position of honor, authority, and power. It signified sharing in the ruler's dominion and judgment. Peter uses this imagery to convey the immense authority and divine status bestowed upon Jesus after His exaltation to heaven. Hebrews 1:3 further elaborates on this position of majesty.

Practical Application

Acts 2:34 assures believers of Jesus' current reign and authority. It reminds us that the one who died for our sins is now highly exalted and seated in power. This provides immense comfort and confidence, knowing that our Savior is not merely a historical figure but a living, reigning King. His position at the right hand of God means He intercedes for us (Romans 8:34) and holds ultimate authority over all things, offering hope and stability in a changing world. It calls us to acknowledge His sovereignty and live in submission to His will.

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

  • Psalms 110:1

    ¶ A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

  • Matthew 22:42

    Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, [The Son] of David.

  • Matthew 22:45

    If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?

  • Hebrews 1:13

    But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?

  • Ephesians 1:22

    And hath put all [things] under his feet, and gave him [to be] the head over all [things] to the church,

  • Luke 20:42

    And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

  • Luke 20:43

    Till I make thine enemies thy footstool.
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