Acts 3:13

Authorized King James Version

The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.

Word-by-Word Analysis

ὁ

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεὸς

G2316

The God

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

Ἀβραὰμ

G11

of Abraham

abraham, the hebrew patriarch

καὶ

G2532

and

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

Ἰσαὰκ

G2464

of Isaac

isaac (i.e., jitschak), the son of abraham

καὶ

G2532

and

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

Ἰακώβ

G2384

of Jacob

jacob (i.e., ja`akob), the progenitor of the israelites

ὁ

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεὸς

G2316

The God

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

#10

τῶν

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#11

πατέρων

G3962

fathers

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

#12

ἡμῶν

G2257

of our

of (or from) us

#13

ἐδόξασεν

G1392

hath glorified

to render (or esteem) glorious (in a wide application)

#14

τὸν

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#15

παῖδα

G3816

Son

a boy (as often beaten with impunity), or (by analogy), a girl, and (genitive case) a child; specially, a slave or servant (especially a minister to a

#16

αὐτόν

G846

him

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

#17

Ἰησοῦν

G2424

Jesus

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

#18

ὃν

G3739

whom

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

#19

ὑμεῖς

G5210

you (as subjective of verb)

#20

παρεδώκατε

G3860

delivered up

to surrender, i.e yield up, entrust, transmit

#21

καὶ

G2532

and

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

#22

ἠρνήσασθε

G720

denied

to contradict, i.e., disavow, reject, abnegate

#23

αὐτόν

G846

him

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

#24

κατὰ

G2596

(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)

#25

πρόσωπον

G4383

the presence

the front (as being towards view), i.e., the countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person

#26

Πιλάτου

G4091

of Pilate

close-pressed, i.e., firm; pilatus, a roman

#27

κρίναντος

G2919

when he was determined

by implication, to try, condemn, punish

#28

ἐκείνου

G1565

him

that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed

#29

ἀπολύειν·

G630

to free fully, i.e., (literally) relieve, release, dismiss (reflexively, depart), or (figuratively) let die, pardon or (specially) divorce

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Acts. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Acts Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?

Related Resources

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