Acts 13:23

Authorized King James Version

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Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:

Original Language Analysis

τούτου this man's G5127
τούτου this man's
Strong's: G5127
Word #: 1 of 13
of (from or concerning) this (person or thing)
ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 2 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς God G2316
θεὸς God
Strong's: G2316
Word #: 3 of 13
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ἀπὸ Of G575
ἀπὸ Of
Strong's: G575
Word #: 4 of 13
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τοῦ G3588
τοῦ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 5 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σπέρματος seed G4690
σπέρματος seed
Strong's: G4690
Word #: 6 of 13
something sown, i.e., seed (including the male "sperm"); by implication, offspring; specially, a remnant (figuratively, as if kept over for planting)
κατ' according G2596
κατ' according
Strong's: G2596
Word #: 7 of 13
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
ἐπαγγελίαν to his promise G1860
ἐπαγγελίαν to his promise
Strong's: G1860
Word #: 8 of 13
an announcement (for information, assent or pledge; especially a divine assurance of good)
ἤγειρεν hath G1453
ἤγειρεν hath
Strong's: G1453
Word #: 9 of 13
to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from
τῷ G3588
τῷ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 10 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰσραὴλ unto Israel G2474
Ἰσραὴλ unto Israel
Strong's: G2474
Word #: 11 of 13
israel (i.e., jisrael), the adopted name of jacob, including his descendants (literally or figuratively)
σωτῆρα a Saviour G4990
σωτῆρα a Saviour
Strong's: G4990
Word #: 12 of 13
a deliverer, i.e., god or christ
Ἰησοῦν Jesus G2424
Ἰησοῦν Jesus
Strong's: G2424
Word #: 13 of 13
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

Analysis & Commentary

Of this man's seed (ἐκ τοῦ σπέρματος τούτου) directly connects Jesus to David's lineage, fulfilling the Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7:12-16). Paul's phrase according to his promise (κατ' ἐπαγγελίαν) emphasizes divine faithfulness—God keeps His ancient promises. The verb raised (ἤγειρεν) carries double meaning: God 'raised up' Jesus historically as David's descendant AND raised Him from death, making Him both Messianic heir and risen Savior.

The title Savior (σωτῆρα, sotēra) echoes Old Testament deliverers like Moses and the Judges but transcends them—Jesus saves not from temporal enemies but from sin itself. Unto Israel establishes covenant priority (Romans 1:16, 'to the Jew first') while foreshadowing universal salvation. Paul's sermon traces Israel's history (vv. 17-22) to demonstrate that Jesus is no interruption but the goal toward which all Scripture points.

Historical Context

Preached in Pisidian Antioch's synagogue circa AD 47 during Paul's first missionary journey. Jewish expectations of a Davidic Messiah were intense under Roman occupation, but most anticipated political liberation. Paul redefines messianic salvation as spiritual deliverance through a crucified and risen King—offensive to Jewish nationalism but central to apostolic gospel.

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