Chapter

Acts 13:34

ESV And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, he has spoken in this way, "‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’
NIV God raised him from the dead so that he will never be subject to decay. As God has said, " ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.’
NASB As for the fact that He raised Him from the dead, never again to return to decay, He has spoken in this way: ‘I WILL GIVE YOU THE HOLY and faithful mercies of DAVID.’
CSB As to his raising him from the dead, never to return to decay, he has spoken in this way, I will give you the holy and sure promises of David.
NLT For God had promised to raise him from the dead, not leaving him to rot in the grave. He said, ‘I will give you the sacred blessings I promised to David.’
KJV And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.
NKJV And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, He has spoken thus: ‘I will give you the sure mercies of David.’

What does Acts 13:34 mean?

Paul is explaining to a group of Jews and God-fearing Gentiles that God's saving work that sustained the Jews throughout their history is now manifested in the Savior He promised: Jesus. He has explained how the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem had Jesus killed despite His innocence, and that there are many witnesses who attest that God raised Jesus from the dead (Acts 13:27–31). Now Paul shows how Jesus' resurrection was prophesied in Hebrew Scripture.

The quote is of part of Isaiah 55:3 from the Septuagint. In the broader passage, God is telling His people to come to Him, and He will provide what they need. They need to reject the world's values and rely on Him to provide what is good. Isaiah 55:3 reads, "Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David." God's everlasting covenant with David promised David would have an heir—a Savior—who will sit on David's throne (2 Samuel 7; Acts 13:23). That covenant of blessings is manifested in Jesus, David's genetic, spiritual, and political heir. The "you" of Isaiah 55 is Isaiah's audience—locally the Jews destined to go into exile in Babylon, but ultimately everyone who looks toward God's Savior.

Acts 13:35 explains how the blessings of David can be everlasting and sure, or trustworthy: God's Holy One was raised from the dead and did not see corruption or decay, as promised in Psalm 16:10.
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