Acts 13:36

Authorized King James Version

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For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:

Original Language Analysis

Δαβὶδ David G1138
Δαβὶδ David
Strong's: G1138
Word #: 1 of 20
david, the israelite king
μὲν G3303
μὲν
Strong's: G3303
Word #: 2 of 20
properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)
γὰρ For G1063
γὰρ For
Strong's: G1063
Word #: 3 of 20
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
ἰδίᾳ his own G2398
ἰδίᾳ his own
Strong's: G2398
Word #: 4 of 20
pertaining to self, i.e., one's own; by implication, private or separate
γενεᾷ generation G1074
γενεᾷ generation
Strong's: G1074
Word #: 5 of 20
a generation; by implication, an age (the period or the persons)
ὑπηρετήσας after he had served G5256
ὑπηρετήσας after he had served
Strong's: G5256
Word #: 6 of 20
to be a subordinate, i.e., (by implication) subserve
τῇ G3588
τῇ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 7 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ G3588
τοῦ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 8 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ of God G2316
θεοῦ of God
Strong's: G2316
Word #: 9 of 20
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
βουλῇ by the will G1012
βουλῇ by the will
Strong's: G1012
Word #: 10 of 20
volition, i.e., (objectively) advice, or (by implication) purpose
ἐκοιμήθη fell on sleep G2837
ἐκοιμήθη fell on sleep
Strong's: G2837
Word #: 11 of 20
to put to sleep, i.e., (passively or reflexively) to slumber; figuratively, to decease
καὶ and G2532
καὶ and
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 12 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
προσετέθη was laid G4369
προσετέθη was laid
Strong's: G4369
Word #: 13 of 20
to place additionally, i.e., lay beside, annex, repeat
πρὸς unto G4314
πρὸς unto
Strong's: G4314
Word #: 14 of 20
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 #: 15 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατέρας fathers G3962
πατέρας fathers
Strong's: G3962
Word #: 16 of 20
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
αὐτοῦ G846
αὐτοῦ
Strong's: G846
Word #: 17 of 20
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
καὶ and G2532
καὶ and
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 18 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εἶδεν saw G1492
εἶδεν saw
Strong's: G1492
Word #: 19 of 20
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
διαφθοράν· corruption G1312
διαφθοράν· corruption
Strong's: G1312
Word #: 20 of 20
decay

Analysis & Commentary

The contrast between David who 'fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption' and Jesus (implied in verses 37-38) establishes resurrection as the crucial difference. David's death and decay prove he wasn't the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises. Only Jesus, raised without seeing corruption, qualified as the true Davidic king whose kingdom would never end.

Historical Context

Paul's argument follows Psalm 16:10's promise that God's Holy One wouldn't see corruption. Since David's tomb remained in Jerusalem with his decayed body, this prophecy required greater fulfillment in David's descendant, Jesus.

Questions for Reflection

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