Acts 2:23

23 ye tormented, and killed him by the hands of wicked men, by counsel determined and betaken by the fore-knowing of God. [him, the counsel determined, or ended, and by the prescience, or before-knowing, of God, betaken by the hands of wicked ye tormenting slew.]

Acts 2:23 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 2:23

Him being delivered
By himself, according to his own will, for he gave, or delivered himself for his people; and by his Father, who spared him not, but delivered him up for us all; and by Judas, one of his disciples, who, for a sum of money, delivered him into the hands of the Jews; and by them he was delivered up to Pilate, the Roman governor; and by him back again to the Jews, and to the soldiers, to crucify him: and all this

by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God;
God not only foreknew that it would be, but determined that it should be, who does all things after the counsel of his own will; and this for the salvation of his people, and for the glorifying of his divine perfections: though this fixed resolution, settled purpose, and wise determination of God, did not in the least excuse the sin of Judas in betraying him, or of Pilate in condemning him, or of the Jews in crucifying him; nor did it at all infringe the liberty of their wills in acting, who did what they did, not by force, but voluntarily:

ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain;
they took him in the garden, and bound him, and had him first before the high priest, then before Pilate, the Roman governor, and cried out with one voice, in a most vehement manner, for the crucifying of him, which, at their importunity, was granted, though no fault was found in him; and therefore are justly charged with slaying, or murdering him.

Acts 2:23 In-Context

21 And it shall be, each man whichever shall call to help the name of the Lord, shall be safe.
22 Ye men of Israel, hear ye these words. Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God before you by works of power, and wonders, and tokens [Ye men of Israel, hear these words. Jesus of Nazareth, a man proved of God in you by virtues, or miracles, and wonders, and tokens], which God did by him in the middle of you, as ye know,
23 ye tormented, and killed him by the hands of wicked men, by counsel determined and betaken by the fore-knowing of God. [him, the counsel determined, or ended, and by the prescience, or before-knowing, of God, betaken by the hands of wicked ye tormenting slew.]
24 Whom God raised, when sorrows of hell were unbound, by that that it was impossible that he were holden of it [after that it was impossible him to be holden of it].
25 For David saith of him, I saw afar the Lord before me evermore, for he is on my right half, that I be not moved.
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.