Acts 13:33
God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.
Original Language Analysis
ὅτι
G3754
ταύτην
G3778
ταύτην
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
2 of 27
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
God
G2316
θεὸς
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
4 of 27
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτῶν
their
G846
αὐτῶν
their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
8 of 27
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἀναστήσας
again
G450
ἀναστήσας
again
Strong's:
G450
Word #:
10 of 27
to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)
Ἰησοῦν
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦν
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
11 of 27
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
ὡς
as
G5613
ὡς
as
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
12 of 27
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ψαλμῷ
psalm
G5568
ψαλμῷ
psalm
Strong's:
G5568
Word #:
16 of 27
a set piece of music, i.e., a sacred ode (accompanied with the voice, harp or other instrument; a "psalm"); collectively, the book of the psalms
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δευτέρῳ
the second
G1208
δευτέρῳ
the second
Strong's:
G1208
Word #:
18 of 27
(ordinal) second (in time, place, or rank; also adverb)
γέγραπται
it is
G1125
γέγραπται
it is
Strong's:
G1125
Word #:
19 of 27
to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
Υἱός
Son
G5207
Υἱός
Son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
20 of 27
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
σήμερον
this day
G4594
σήμερον
this day
Strong's:
G4594
Word #:
25 of 27
on the (i.e., this) day (or night current or just passed); generally, now (i.e., at present, hitherto)
Historical Context
Psalm 2 was used in Davidic coronations, celebrating the king as God's 'son.' But no Davidic king conquered death or ruled eternally. Paul, like other NT writers (Hebrews 1:5, 5:5), applies this psalm to Jesus' resurrection-exaltation, showing how Christ alone fulfills royal psalms completely. First-century Jews debated Psalm 2's fulfillment; Paul declares it fulfilled in the risen Jesus.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding Psalm 2 as a resurrection text change your reading of the Old Testament?
- What does Jesus' resurrection-coronation as 'Son' teach about His authority over your life today?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God hath fulfilled (ἐκπεπλήρωκεν) uses the perfect tense—God's fulfillment stands complete and permanent. The promise made to 'the fathers' now reaches 'their children' (ἡμῖν τοῖς τέκνοις αὐτῶν), demonstrating covenant continuity across generations.
Paul quotes Psalm 2:7—Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee (Υἱός μου εἶ σύ, ἐγὼ σήμερον γεγέννηκά σε). The phrase 'this day' (σήμερον) points to resurrection as the moment of Christ's public declaration as Son (Romans 1:4). The verb begotten (γεγέννηκά) doesn't mean Jesus became God's Son at resurrection—He is eternally Son—but that resurrection was His coronation, the public vindication of His Sonship.
This is apostolic hermeneutics: Old Testament psalms about Israel's king find ultimate fulfillment in Jesus. What David's sons shadowed imperfectly, Christ fulfills perfectly. Psalm 2's enthronement psalm becomes resurrection declaration—the crucified Jesus is God's anointed King.