Acts 2:24
Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.
Original Language Analysis
ὃν
Whom
G3739
ὃν
Whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
1 of 17
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
God
G2316
θεὸς
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
3 of 17
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ἀνέστησεν
hath raised up
G450
ἀνέστησεν
hath raised up
Strong's:
G450
Word #:
4 of 17
to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)
τὰς
G3588
τὰς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θανάτου
of death
G2288
θανάτου
of death
Strong's:
G2288
Word #:
9 of 17
(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)
καθότι
because
G2530
καθότι
because
Strong's:
G2530
Word #:
10 of 17
and g3739 and g5100; according to which certain thing, i.e., as far (or inasmuch) as
δυνατὸν
possible
G1415
δυνατὸν
possible
Strong's:
G1415
Word #:
13 of 17
powerful or capable (literally or figuratively); neuter possible
κρατεῖσθαι
should be holden
G2902
κρατεῖσθαι
should be holden
Strong's:
G2902
Word #:
14 of 17
to use strength, i.e., seize or retain (literally or figuratively)
αὐτοῦ·
it
G846
αὐτοῦ·
it
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
15 of 17
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
Cross References
1 Corinthians 6:14And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.1 Peter 1:21Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.Colossians 2:12Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.Acts 2:32This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.Ephesians 1:20Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,Romans 6:4Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.Romans 8:11But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.John 10:18No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.2 Corinthians 4:14Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.Hebrews 13:20Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
Historical Context
Peter quotes Psalm 16:8-11, David's confession of trust becoming prophetic of Christ's resurrection. The apostle's Jewish audience recognized Davidic authorship yet acknowledged David's body remained in Joseph's tomb (Acts 2:29). This interpretive move - distinguishing David's experience from his prophetic vision - revolutionized messianic understanding.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ's necessary resurrection (not merely possible) secure your salvation's certainty?
- What does death's inability to hold Christ teach about its powerlessness over believers?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Christ's resurrection was necessary because 'it was not possible that he should be holden' by death. The Greek 'ouk en dunaton' (not possible) asserts metaphysical impossibility - death had no legal claim on the sinless one. Having satisfied justice's demands, Christ possessed inherent right to life. God 'loosed the pains of death' (Greek 'lusas tas odinas'), using birth imagery - death's labor pains producing resurrection life. This establishes justification's foundation: our righteousness derives from His inability to remain dead.