Acts 5:30
The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
The God
G2316
θεὸς
The God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
2 of 13
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατέρων
fathers
G3962
πατέρων
fathers
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
4 of 13
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
ἤγειρεν
raised up
G1453
ἤγειρεν
raised up
Strong's:
G1453
Word #:
6 of 13
to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from
Ἰησοῦν
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦν
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
7 of 13
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
ὃν
whom
G3739
ὃν
whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
8 of 13
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
διεχειρίσασθε
slew
G1315
διεχειρίσασθε
slew
Strong's:
G1315
Word #:
10 of 13
to handle thoroughly, i.e., lay violent hands upon
Cross References
Galatians 3:13Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:1 Peter 2:24Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.Acts 10:39And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:
Historical Context
Crucifixion's shame in Jewish thought derived from Deuteronomy's curse on tree-hanging. Peter transforms this shame into glory - Christ bore covenant curse to redeem cursed sinners. The phrase 'God of our fathers' grounds argument in covenant history, showing Jesus as Abraham's promised seed. These same leaders heard similar accusation at Pentecost (Acts 2:23).
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ's cursed death become the means of lifting our curse?
- What boldness does it require to accuse powerful killers of their crime while offering forgiveness?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Peter's climactic declaration - 'The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree' - contrasts divine action ('God... raised') with human crime ('ye slew and hanged'). The Greek 'diacheirisamenoi' (slew) emphasizes violent death by human hands. 'Hanged on a tree' evokes Deuteronomy 21:23's curse, which Christ bore for our redemption (Galatians 3:13). This bold accusation demonstrates apostolic fearlessness - confronting murderers with their guilt while offering salvation. The resurrection vindicated Jesus and condemned His killers.