Acts 2:23

23 Though He was delivered up according to God's determined plan and foreknowledge, you used[a] lawless people[b] to nail Him to a cross and kill Him.

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 then whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
22 "Men of Israel, listen to these words: This Jesus the Nazarene was a man pointed out to you by God with miracles, wonders, and signs that God did among you through Him, just as you yourselves know.
23 Though He was delivered up according to God's determined plan and foreknowledge, you used lawless people to nail Him to a cross and kill Him.
24 God raised Him up, ending the pains of death, because it was not possible for Him to be held by it.
25 For David says of Him: I saw the Lord ever before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. Other mss read you have taken
  • [b]. Or used the hand of lawless ones
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