Acts 8:33

In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.

In {G1722} his {G846} humiliation {G5014} his {G846} judgment {G2920} was taken away {G142}: and {G1161} who {G5101} shall declare {G1334} his {G846} generation {G1074}? for {G3754} his {G846} life {G2222} is taken {G142} from {G575} the earth {G1093}.

He was humiliated and denied justice.
Who will tell about his descendants,
since his life has been taken from the earth?”

In His humiliation He was deprived of justice. Who can recount His descendants? For His life was removed from the earth.”

In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: His generation who shall declare? For his life is taken from the earth.

Acts 8:33 KJV is a direct quotation from the Old Testament prophet Isaiah, specifically Isaiah 53:7-8. This verse is central to the powerful encounter between Philip the evangelist and the Ethiopian eunuch, as recorded in the book of Acts.

Context

This verse appears during a pivotal moment in early Christian evangelism. Philip, guided by the Holy Spirit, encounters an influential Ethiopian eunuch who is returning from Jerusalem. The eunuch is found reading from the scroll of Isaiah, specifically the passage concerning the "suffering servant." He is perplexed, asking Philip, "Of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?" (Acts 8:34). This question provides Philip the perfect opportunity to explain how this ancient prophecy finds its complete fulfillment in Jesus Christ, demonstrating the continuity between the Old Testament prophecies and the New Testament revelation. The entire narrative of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch highlights the importance of understanding Scripture and the universal reach of the Gospel message.

Key Themes

  • The Humiliation and Suffering of Christ: The phrase "In his humiliation" points directly to Jesus' profound suffering, His unjust trial, and His sacrificial death. He willingly endured immense degradation, mockery, and physical torment, culminating in His crucifixion.
  • Unjust Judgment: "His judgment was taken away" signifies that Jesus was denied true justice during His earthly trial. Despite His innocence, He was condemned to death by human courts, fulfilling prophecies that He would be "numbered with the transgressors" (Isaiah 53:12). This highlights the profound injustice He suffered for humanity's sake.
  • Life Cut Short: "For his life is taken from the earth" explicitly refers to Christ's physical death. This emphasizes the brutal reality of His sacrifice—His earthly life was cut short, not by natural means, but by violent execution.
  • The Mystery of His "Generation": The question "who shall declare his generation?" is multi-faceted. In this context, it often refers to the idea that His life was cut short, preventing Him from having natural progeny, thereby emphasizing the unique nature of His sacrifice. It can also imply that no one could fully comprehend or describe the significance of His unique life, death, and resurrection, or His spiritual offspring (those born again through faith in Him).
  • Prophetic Fulfillment: The most significant theme is that this verse, written centuries before Christ, perfectly describes His life, suffering, and death, affirming Jesus as the promised Messiah and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.

Linguistic Insights

  • The word for "humiliation" (Greek: tapeinōsei) conveys a sense of abasement, lowliness, and extreme degradation. It speaks to Christ's voluntary self-emptying, taking on the form of a servant (Philippians 2:7).
  • "His judgment was taken away" (Greek: hē krisis autou ērtē) literally means His legal right or just cause was removed or lifted away. It powerfully conveys the idea that He was denied a fair trial and justly deserved vindication, yet it was withheld, leading to His condemnation.
  • "Who shall declare his generation?" (Greek: tēn genean autou tis diēgēsetai) is a difficult phrase. In the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament), from which Acts quotes, it often implies that His life was cut short and therefore He would have no earthly lineage or descendants. It also touches on the unique, indescribable nature of His being and mission.

Practical Application

Acts 8:33 serves as a foundational text for understanding the person and work of Jesus Christ. It underscores the divine plan behind His suffering and death, which were not random but the fulfillment of ancient prophecy. For believers, this verse deepens appreciation for the immense sacrifice made by Christ, who endured unjust judgment and death so that humanity might receive true justice and eternal life. It also emphasizes the importance of knowing and sharing the Gospel, much like Philip did. Just as the Ethiopian eunuch needed an interpreter to understand the Scriptures, many today need guidance to grasp the profound truth of who Jesus is and what He accomplished. This verse invites us to consider the cost of our salvation and to respond with faith and obedience, sharing the good news that Christ's life was "taken from the earth" for our redemption, leading to our eternal life through Him. We are called to go into all the world and preach the gospel.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, 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. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 53:12

    Therefore will I divide him [a portion] with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

  • Isaiah 53:8

    He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

  • Zechariah 13:7

    ¶ Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man [that is] my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.

  • Philippians 2:8

    And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

  • Philippians 2:9

    Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

  • Matthew 27:12

    And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.

  • Matthew 27:26

    ¶ Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered [him] to be crucified.
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