Acts 2:29
Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.
Original Language Analysis
ἀδελφοί
and brethren
G80
ἀδελφοί
and brethren
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
2 of 28
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
ἐξὸν
me
G1832
ἐξὸν
me
Strong's:
G1832
Word #:
3 of 28
so also ???? <pronunciation strongs="ex-on'"/> neuter present participle of the same (with or without some form of g1510 expressed); impersonally, it
μετὰ
freely
G3326
μετὰ
freely
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
5 of 28
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
παῤῥησίας
G3954
παῤῥησίας
Strong's:
G3954
Word #:
6 of 28
all out-spokenness, i.e., frankness, bluntness, publicity; by implication, assurance
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
7 of 28
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,
περὶ
of
G4012
περὶ
of
Strong's:
G4012
Word #:
9 of 28
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
13 of 28
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐτελεύτησεν
dead
G5053
ἐτελεύτησεν
dead
Strong's:
G5053
Word #:
15 of 28
to finish life (by implication, of g0979), i.e., expire (demise)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
18 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μνῆμα
sepulchre
G3418
μνῆμα
sepulchre
Strong's:
G3418
Word #:
20 of 28
a memorial, i.e., sepulchral monument (burial-place)
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
21 of 28
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
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
26 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Acts 13:36For 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:Hebrews 7:4Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.Nehemiah 3:16After him repaired Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, the ruler of the half part of Beth-zur, unto the place over against the sepulchres of David, and to the pool that was made, and unto the house of the mighty.1 Kings 2:10So David slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David.
Historical Context
David's tomb on Mount Zion was Jerusalem's most venerated site after the Temple. Its continued presence was irrefutable evidence David hadn't experienced resurrection, forcing Peter's audience to recognize the prophecy's true subject. Josephus describes the tomb's magnificence and Herod's attempted plundering.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you discern when Old Testament passages speak of their immediate context versus messianic prophecy?
- What does David's tomb's preservation 'unto this day' teach about God's providential preparation for gospel proclamation?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Peter's rhetorical move - 'let me freely speak' (Greek 'meta parresías,' with boldness) - signals his shift from exposition to application. Acknowledging David's death and burial ('his sepulchre is with us unto this day') distinguishes patriarch from Messiah. The visible tomb proved David's words couldn't refer to himself, requiring prophetic interpretation. This hermeneutical principle - distinguishing personal experience from prophetic vision - unlocks Christocentric reading of the Psalms.