Acts 2:30
Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;
Original Language Analysis
προφήτης
a prophet
G4396
προφήτης
a prophet
Strong's:
G4396
Word #:
1 of 27
a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet
οὖν
Therefore
G3767
οὖν
Therefore
Strong's:
G3767
Word #:
2 of 27
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
ὑπάρχων
being
G5225
ὑπάρχων
being
Strong's:
G5225
Word #:
3 of 27
to begin under (quietly), i.e., come into existence (be present or at hand); expletively, to exist (as copula or subordinate to an adjective, particip
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
4 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εἰδὼς
knowing
G1492
εἰδὼς
knowing
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
5 of 27
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
6 of 27
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ὅρκῳ
with an oath
G3727
ὅρκῳ
with an oath
Strong's:
G3727
Word #:
7 of 27
a limit, i.e., (sacred) restraint (specially, an oath)
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
9 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
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
God
G2316
θεὸς
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
11 of 27
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ἐκ
that of
G1537
ἐκ
that of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
12 of 27
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὀσφύος
loins
G3751
ὀσφύος
loins
Strong's:
G3751
Word #:
15 of 27
the loin (externally), i.e., the hip; internally (by extension) procreative power
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
16 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
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κατὰ
according to
G2596
κατὰ
according to
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
18 of 27
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
σάρκα
the flesh
G4561
σάρκα
the flesh
Strong's:
G4561
Word #:
19 of 27
flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e., (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or
ἀναστήσειν
he would raise up
G450
ἀναστήσειν
he would raise up
Strong's:
G450
Word #:
20 of 27
to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καθίσαι
to sit
G2523
καθίσαι
to sit
Strong's:
G2523
Word #:
23 of 27
to seat down, i.e., set (figuratively, appoint); intransitively, to sit (down); figuratively, to settle (hover, dwell)
ἐπὶ
on
G1909
ἐπὶ
on
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
24 of 27
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
25 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
2 Samuel 23:2The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.2 Peter 1:21For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.Mark 12:36For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.Romans 1:3Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;2 Timothy 2:8Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:
Historical Context
The Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7:12-16) promised an eternal dynasty, which Solomon's failures and exile's devastation seemed to nullify. Peter declares resurrection as God's oath-keeping mechanism - Christ's endless life ensures dynasty perpetuity. Jewish messianic expectation focused on this promise.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ's physical descent from David demonstrate salvation's incarnational necessity?
- What does God's oath-keeping across millennium teach about His faithfulness to seemingly impossible promises?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God's covenant oath to David that 'of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne' establishes Jesus' legal right to David's kingdom. The phrase 'according to the flesh' (Greek 'kata sarka') emphasizes Christ's genuine humanity through biological descent - He wasn't merely spiritual king but David's physical offspring through Mary. This fulfills 2 Samuel 7's promise of an eternal throne, requiring a deathless King through resurrection.