Bible Strands
Acts 13:34
In fact, God raised Him from the dead, never to see decay. As He has said: ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.’
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses a synagogue congregation in Antioch, explaining how Jesus’ resurrection fulfills the Davidic covenant. He contrasts the temporary fate of past kings with Jesus’ permanent victory over death.
The words — ἀνέστησεν (anestēsen) = He raised; μηκέτι (mēketi) = no more. These terms anchor the declaration that God’s act of raising Jesus permanently ends the cycle of decay.
The thread — The resurrection theme extends to Romans 6:9, which states Christ cannot die again, while the promise of Davidic blessings connects to Isaiah 55:3 and the fulfillment noted in Acts 13:33 and 13:35.
Why it lands — The text declares that God’s raising of Jesus permanently halts decay and secures the promised blessings for David’s line. A reader must recognize that this irreversible resurrection establishes the foundation for the covenant promises rather than leaving them conditional.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 55:3 Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant—My loving devotion promised to David.
- Psalms 89:2 For I have said, “Loving devotion is built up forever; in the heavens You establish Your faithfulness.”
- Romans 6:9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again; death no longer has dominion over Him.
- Psalms 89:19 You once spoke in a vision; to Your godly ones You said, “I have bestowed help on a warrior; I have exalted one chosen from the people.
- 2 Samuel 7:14 I will be his Father, and he will be My son. When he does wrong, I will discipline him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men.
- Jeremiah 33:15 In those days and at that time I will cause to sprout for David a righteous Branch, and He will administer justice and righteousness in the land.
- Jeremiah 33:26 then I would also reject the descendants of Jacob and of My servant David, so as not to take from his descendants rulers over the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. For I will restore them from captivity and will have compassion on them.”
- Ezekiel 34:23 I will appoint over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will feed them. He will feed them and be their shepherd.
- 2 Samuel 23:5 Is not my house right with God? For He has established with me an everlasting covenant, ordered and secured in every part. Will He not bring about my full salvation and my every desire?
- Ezekiel 37:24 My servant David will be king over them, and there will be one shepherd for all of them. They will follow My ordinances and keep and observe My statutes.