Acts 2:30

Contemporary English Version

But David was a prophet, and he knew that God had made a promise he would not break. He had told David that someone from his own family would someday be king.

Parallel Translations

Simplified Cowboy Version
but God had told him one of his descendants would sit on the throne.

Legacy Standard Bible
And so, because he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn to him with an oath to set one of the fruit of his body on his throne,

New American Standard Bible (1995)
"And so, because he was a prophet and knew that GOD HAD SWORN TO HIM WITH AN OATH TO SEAT one OF HIS DESCENDANTS ON HIS THRONE,

Bible in Basic English
But being a prophet, and having in mind the oath which God had given to him, that of the fruit of his body one would take his place as a king,

Darby Translation
Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn to him with an oath, of the fruit of his loins to set upon his throne;

New King James Version
Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, [fn]

Christian Standard Bible®
Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn an oath to him to seat one of his descendants on his throne.

World English Bible
Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, he would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne,

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, That of the fruit of his loins one should sit on his throne,

Weymouth's New Testament
Being a Prophet, however, and knowing that God had solemnly sworn to him to seat a descendant of his upon his throne,

King James Version (1611)
Therefore being a Prophet, and knowing that God had sworne with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loines, according to the flesh, hee would raise vp Christ, to sit on his throne:

Literal Translation
Being a prophet, then, and knowing that God swore with an oath to him that of the fruit of his loin, as concerning flesh, to raise the Christ to sit on his throne, see Psa. 132:11

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Wherfore now seinge yt he was a prophet, and knewe that God had promised him with an ooth, that the frute of his loynes shulde syt on his seate,

Mace New Testament (1729)
that, as he was a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn to him , to place the fruit of his loins upon his throne: foreseeing this,

Amplified Bible
"And so, being a prophet and knowing fully that GOD HAD SWORN TO HIM WITH AN OATH THAT HE WOULD SEAT one OF HIS DESCENDANTS ON HIS THRONE,

American Standard Version
Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins he would set one upon his throne;

Revised Standard Version
Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants upon his throne,

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Therfore seinge he was a Prophet and knewe that God had sworne with an othe to him that the frute of his loynes shuld sit on his seat (in that Christ shulde ryse agayne in the flesshe)

Update Bible Version
Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins he would set [one] on his throne;

Webster's Bible Translation
Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn to him with an oath, that from the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;

Young's Literal Translation
a prophet, therefore, being, and knowing that with an oath God did swear to him, out of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, to raise up the Christ, to sit upon his throne,

New Century Version
He was a prophet and knew God had promised him that he would make a person from David's family a king just as he was.

New English Translation
So then, because he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn to him with an oath to seat one of his descendants on his throne,

Berean Standard Bible
But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that He would place one of his descendants on his throne.

Complete Jewish Bible
Therefore, since he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn an oath to him that one of his descendants would sit on his throne,

English Standard Version
Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne,

Geneva Bible (1587)
Therefore, seeing hee was a Prophet, and knewe that God had sworne with an othe to him, that of the fruite of his loynes hee woulde raise vp Christ concerning the flesh, to set him vpon his throne,

George Lamsa Translation
For he was a prophet, and he knew that God had sworn by an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up one to sit on his throne.

Hebrew Names Version
Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, he would raise up the Messiah to sit on his throne,

International Standard Version
Therefore, since he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him with an oath to put one of his descendants on his throne,2 Samuel 7:12-13; Psalm 132:11; Luke 1:32,69; Romans 1:3; 2 Timothy 2:8;">[xr]

Etheridge Translation
For he was a prophet, and knew that the oath Aloha had sworn to him, Of the fruit of thy loins I will cause to sit upon thy throne:

Murdock Translation
For he was a prophet, and he knew, that God had sworn to him by an oath: Of the fruit of thy bowels, I will seat [fn] on thy throne.

New Living Translation
But he was a prophet, and he knew God had promised with an oath that one of David's own descendants would sit on his throne.

New Life Bible
He was one who spoke for God. He knew God had made a promise to him. From his family Christ would come and take His place as King.

English Revised Version
Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins he would set one upon his throne;

New Revised Standard
Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would put one of his descendants on his throne.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Being then, a prophet, and knowing that, with an oath, God had sworn unto him, of the fruit of his loins, to seat on his throne,

Douay-Rheims Bible
Whereas therefore he was a prophet and knew that God hath sworn to him with an oath, that of the fruit of his loins one should sit upon his throne.

King James Version
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;

Lexham English Bible
Therefore, because he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn to him with an oath to seat one of his descendants on his throne,

Bishop's Bible (1568)
Therfore, seeyng he was a prophete, and knewe that God had sworne with an oth to hym, that Christe, as concernyng the fleshe, should come of the fruite of his loynes, & should syt on his seate:

Easy-to-Read Version
He was a prophet and knew something that God had said. God had promised David that someone from his own family would sit on David's throne as king.

New American Standard Bible
"So because he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn to him with an oath to seat one of his descendants on his throne,

Good News Translation
He was a prophet, and he knew what God had promised him: God had made a vow that he would make one of David's descendants a king, just as David was.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Therfore whanne he was a prophete, and wiste, that with a greet ooth God hadde sworn to hym, that of the fruyt of his leende schulde oon sitte on his seete,

Contextual Overview

¹⁴ Peter stood with the eleven apostles and spoke in a loud and clear voice to the crowd: Friends and everyone else living in Jerusalem, listen carefully to what I have to say! ¹⁵ You are wrong to think that these people are drunk. After all, it is only nine o'clock in the morning. ¹⁶ But this is what God had the prophet Joel say, ¹⁷ "When the last days come, I will give my Spirit to everyone. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will have dreams. ¹⁸ In those days I will give my Spirit to my servants, both men and women, and they will prophesy. ¹⁹ I will work miracles in the sky above and wonders on the earth below. There will be blood and fire and clouds of smoke. ²⁰ The sun will turn dark, and the moon will be as red as blood before the great and wonderful day of the Lord appears. ²¹ Then the Lord will save everyone who asks for his help." ²² Now, listen to what I have to say about Jesus from Nazareth. God proved that he sent Jesus to you by having him work miracles, wonders, and signs. All of you know this. ²³ God had already planned and decided that Jesus would be handed over to you. So you took him and had evil men put him to death on a cross.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

being: Acts 1:16, 2 Samuel 23:2, Matthew 27:35, Mark 12:36, Luke 24:44, Hebrews 3:7, Hebrews 4:7, 2 Peter 1:21

knowing: 2 Samuel 7:11-16, 1 Chronicles 17:11-15, Psalms 89:3, Psalms 89:4, Psalms 89:19-37, Psalms 110:1-5, Psalms 132:11-18, Romans 1:3, 2 Timothy 2:8, Hebrews 7:1, Hebrews 7:2, Hebrews 7:21

with: Hebrews 6:17

he: Psalms 2:6-12, Psalms 72:1-19, Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 9:7, Jeremiah 23:5, Jeremiah 23:6, Jeremiah 33:14, Jeremiah 33:15, Amos 9:11, Amos 9:12, Micah 5:2, Luke 1:31-33, Luke 1:69, Luke 1:70, Luke 2:10, Luke 2:11, John 18:36, John 18:37, Romans 15:12, Revelation 17:14, Revelation 19:16

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 7:12 - I will set 2 Chronicles 10:16 - David Jeremiah 30:9 - General Daniel 7:9 - his throne Matthew 1:1 - the son of David Matthew 20:30 - Have Matthew 22:43 - General Luke 1:32 - give Luke 20:41 - Christ Luke 22:18 - until Acts 2:25 - David Acts 4:25 - by Acts 13:23 - this 1 Corinthians 12:10 - prophecy Hebrews 12:9 - fathers

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Therefore being a prophet,.... Who could foretell things to come, as he did many things concerning the sufferings and death of Christ, and the circumstances attending it, concerning his resurrection, ascension, and session at the right hand of God. So the title of his "Psalms", in the Syriac version, runs thus; the "Book of the Psalms of David, King and Prophet": and in the Arabic version, "the First Book of the Psalms of David the Prophet, King of the Children of Israel". Though the Jews d will not allow him, nor Solomon, nor Daniel, to be strictly and properly prophets, they make a difference between prophecy, and the Holy Spirit. They own, that the book of Psalms was written under the influence of the Holy Spirit, but not by prophecy; and therefore they place it among the Hagiographa, or holy writings, but not among the Prophets: though after all, Kimchi allows David to be a prophet, since he is called a man of God; for he says this name is not said of any but על נביא, "of a prophet" e; and Peter is right in calling him so:

and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him; as he did in

Psalms 132:11.

that of the fruit of his loins; of one that should be of his seed, that should spring from him, even the Virgin Mary, who was of the house and lineage of David:

according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ; would send him forth, according to the human nature; for this phrase respects not his resurrection from the dead, but his incarnation or exhibition in the flesh, as in Acts 3:26. This clause is wanting in the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Ethiopic versions, and in the Alexandrian copy, and should be read in a parenthesis; since it is not in the text in Psalms 132:11.

to sit on his throne; on the throne of David his father;

Psalms 132:11- :.

d Maimon. More Nevochim, par. 2. c. 45. Vid. Procop. Gazaeum in Reg. l. 2. c. 23. sect. 2. e Kimchi Praefat. ad Psalm.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Therefore - As David was dead and buried, it was clear that he could not have referred to himself in this remarkable declaration. It followed that he must have had reference to some other one.

Being a prophet - One who foretold future events. That David was inspired is clear, 2 Samuel 23:2. Many of the prophecies relating to the Messiah are found in the Psalms of David: Psalms 22:1, compare Matthew 27:46; Luke 24:44 - Psalms 22:18, compare Matthew 27:35 - Psalms 69:21, compare Matthew 27:34, Matthew 27:48 - Psalms 69:25, compare Acts 1:20.

And knowing - Knowing by what God had said to him respecting his posterity.

Had sworn with an oath - The places which speak of God as having sworn to David are found in Psalms 89:3-4, “I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant, Thy seed will I establish,” etc.; and Psalms 132:11, “The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David, he will not turn from it, Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon my throne”; Psalms 89:35-36. The promise to which reference is made in all these places is in 2 Samuel 7:11-16.

Of the fruit of his loins - Of his descendants. See 2 Samuel 7:12; Genesis 35:11; Gen 46:26; 1 Kings 8:19, etc.

According to the flesh - That is, so far as the human nature of the Messiah was concerned, he would be descended from David. Expressions like these are very remarkable. If the Messiah was only a man, they would be unmeaning. They are never used in relation to a mere man; and they imply that the speaker or writer supposed that there pertained to the Messiah a nature which was not according to the flesh. See Romans 1:3-4.

He would raise up Christ - That is, the Messiah. To raise up seed, or descendants, is to give them to him. The promises made to David in all these places had immediate reference to Solomon and to his descendants. But it is clear that the New Testament writers understood them as referring also to the Messiah. And it is no less clear that the Jews understood that the Messiah was to be descended from David, Matthew 12:23; Matthew 21:9; Matthew 22:42, Matthew 22:45; Mark 11:10; John 7:42, etc. In what way these promises that were made to David were understood as applying to the Messiah, it may not be easy to determine. The fact, however, is clear. The following remarks may throw some light on the subject:

1. The kingdom which was promised to David was to have no end; it was to be established forever. Yet his descendants died, and all other kingdoms changed.
2. The promise likewise stood by itself; it was not made to any other of the Jewish kings; nor were similar declarations made of surrounding kingdoms and nations. It came, therefore, gradually to be applied to that future king and kingdom which was the hope of the nation; and their eyes were anxiously fixed on the long-expected Messiah.
3. At the time that he came it had become the settled doctrine of the Jews that he was to descend from David, and that his kingdom was to be perpetual.

On this belief of the prophecy the apostles argued; and the opinions of the Jews furnished a strong point by which they could convince them that Jesus was the Messiah. Peter affirms that David was aware of this, and that he so understood the promise as referring not only to Solomon, but in a far more important sense to the Messiah. Happily we have a commentary of David himself as expressing his own views of that promise. That commentary is found particularly in Psalms 2:1-12; Psalms 22:0; Psalms 69:0; and Psalms 16:1-11; In these Psalms there can be no doubt that David looked forward to the coming of the Messiah; and there can be as little that he regarded the promise made to him as extending to his coming and his reign.

It may be remarked that there are some important variations in the manuscripts in regard to this verse. The expression “according to the flesh” is omitted in many mss., and is now left out by Griesbach in his New Testament. It is omitted also by the ancient Syriac and Ethiopic versions, and by the Latin Vulgate.

To sit on his throne - To be his successor in his kingdom. Saul was the first of the kings of Israel. The kingdom was taken away from him and his posterity, and conferred on David and his descendants. It was determined that it should be continued in the family of David, and no more go out of his family, as it had from the family of Saul. The unique characteristic of David as king, or what distinguished him from the other kings of the earth, was that he reigned over the people of God. Israel was his chosen people, and the kingdom was over that nation. Hence, he that should reign over the people of God, though in a manner somewhat different from David, would be regarded as occupying his throne, and as being his successor. The form of the administration might be varied, but it would still retain its prime characteristic as being a reign over the people of God. In this sense the Messiah sits on the throne of David. He is his descendant and successor. He has an empire over all the friends of the Most High. And as that kingdom is destined to fill the earth, and to be eternal in the heavens, so it may be said that it is a kingdom which shall have no end. It is spiritual, but not the less real; defended not with carnal weapons, but not the less really defended; advanced not by the sword and the din of arms, but not the less really advanced against principalities, and powers, and spiritual wickedness in high places; not under a visible head and earthly monarch, but not less really under the Captain of salvation and the King of kings.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 30. According to the flesh, he would raise up Christ — This whole clause is wanting in ACD, one of the Syriac, the Coptic, AEthiopic, Armenian, and Vulgate; and is variously entered in others. Griesbach rejects it from the text, and Professor White says of the words, "certissime delenda," they should doubtless be expunged. This is a gloss, says Schoettgen, that has crept into the text, which I prove thus:

1. The Syriac and Vulgate, the most ancient of the versions, have not these words.

2. The passage is consistent enough and intelligible without them.

3. They are superfluous, as the mind of the apostle concerning the resurrection of Christ follows immediately in the succeeding verse.

The passage therefore, according to Bp. Pearce, should be read thus: Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath, of the fruit of his loins, to set on his throne; and foreseeing that he (God) would raise up Christ, he spake of the resurrection of Christ, c. "In this transition, the words which Peter quotes for David's are exactly the same with what we read in the psalm above mentioned and the circumstance of David's foreseeing that Christ was to be raised up, and was the person meant, is not represented as a part of the oath; but is only made to be Peter's assertion, that David, as a prophet, did foresee it, and meant it."