Bible Strands
Acts 5:30
The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging Him on a tree.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Peter addresses the Jewish ruling council immediately after being ordered to cease preaching in Jesus’ name. He delivers the declaration as a direct response to their accusation of unlawful teaching.
The words — ἤγειρεν (ēgeiren) translates literally as “raised up” or “caused to rise,” and ὁ θεὸς τῶν πατέρων ἡμῶν (ho theos tōn patērōn hēmōn) means “the God of our fathers.” Peter pairs these phrases to assert that the covenant God of Israel is the active agent in Jesus’ resurrection.
The thread — The phrase “God of our fathers” appears in Acts 3:13 and Acts 22:14 to ground apostolic authority in Israel’s covenant history. The “tree” imagery for the cross connects to Galatians 3:13, 1 Peter 2:24, and Acts 10:39, where crucifixion is described as death by hanging on wood.
Why it lands — It requires the reader to acknowledge that divine reversal follows human execution, not despite it. It demands submission to God’s vindication of Jesus over any human verdict that opposes it.
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
The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
Cross-references
- Galatians 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”
- 1 Peter 2:24 He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. “By His stripes you are healed.”
- Acts 10:39 We are witnesses of all that He did, both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. And although they put Him to death by hanging Him on a tree,
- Acts 13:28 And though they found no ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have Him executed.
- Acts 3:13 The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus. You handed Him over and rejected Him before Pilate, even though he had decided to release Him.
- Acts 4:10 then let this be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.
- Acts 2:22 Men of Israel, listen to this message: Jesus of Nazareth was a man certified by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs, which God did among you through Him, as you yourselves know.
- 1 Chronicles 12:17 And David went out to meet them, saying, “If you have come to me in peace to help me, my heart will be united with you; but if you have come to betray me to my enemies when my hands are free of violence, may the God of our fathers see it and judge you.”
- 1 Chronicles 29:18 O LORD, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, keep this desire forever in the intentions of the hearts of Your people, and direct their hearts toward You.
- Ezra 7:27 Blessed be the LORD, the God of our fathers, who has put into the heart of the king to so honor the house of the LORD in Jerusalem,