Acts 13:32
And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 10
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εὐαγγελιζόμεθα
declare
G2097
εὐαγγελιζόμεθα
declare
Strong's:
G2097
Word #:
4 of 10
to announce good news ("evangelize") especially the gospel
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 10
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
6 of 10
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 10
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατέρας
the fathers
G3962
πατέρας
the fathers
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
8 of 10
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
Cross References
Romans 4:13For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.Acts 26:6And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:Ezekiel 34:23And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.Jeremiah 23:5Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.Zechariah 6:12And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:Micah 5:2But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
Historical Context
Paul delivered this sermon in the synagogue at Antioch of Pisidia (modern-day Turkey) during his first missionary journey around 47 AD. His audience included both Jews and God-fearing Gentiles familiar with Hebrew Scripture. This is Paul's first recorded sermon in Acts and establishes his evangelistic pattern: prove from Scripture that Jesus is the promised Messiah.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Paul's grounding of the gospel in Old Testament promises demonstrate the unity of Scripture and God's unchanging faithfulness?
- What 'promises to the fathers' from Genesis through Malachi find their ultimate yes and amen in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20)?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And we declare unto you glad tidings (εὐαγγελιζόμεθα, euangelizometha)—Paul uses the verbal form of 'gospel' to proclaim the good news. This is not human opinion but apostolic announcement of divine fulfillment.
The promise which was made unto the fathers refers to the patriarchal covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Genesis 12:3, 22:18, 26:4). Paul's sermon methodology moves from Jewish history (vv.16-25) through Christ's death and resurrection (vv.26-37) to application (vv.38-41). The 'promise' (ἐπαγγελία, epangelia) is singular—all Old Testament promises converge in the Messiah. This verse introduces the thesis statement of vv.32-37: Jesus's resurrection fulfills ancient covenant promises.