God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.

ACTS 13:33KJV
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Acts 13:33 (KJV)

What does Acts 13:33 mean?

Acts 13:33 says that God has kept His promise to the descendants of those who first heard it, by raising Jesus from the dead, just as it was written in the second Psalm: “You are my Son, today I have begotten you.” This verse connects Jesus’ resurrection to an ancient promise from the Psalms, showing that Jesus is truly God’s Son.

In Acts 13:33, the apostle Paul is speaking in a synagogue, addressing both Jews and others who respect God. Paul is explaining that the resurrection of Jesus is not a new idea, but the fulfillment of what God had already promised in the Scriptures. By quoting Psalm 2, Paul shows that Jesus’ identity and resurrection were foretold, and that God’s plan is being carried out through Him.

The Greek behind Acts 13:33

  • ἀνέστησεν (anestēsen, “raised up”): This word is used here to mean that God caused Jesus to rise from the dead. The Greek carries the sense of bringing someone back to life, not just raising up in status.
  • υἱός (huios, “Son”): This word emphasizes the unique relationship between Jesus and God, as highlighted in the Psalm Paul quotes.
  • γεγέννηκά (gegennēka, “I have begotten”): This verb means to father or bring forth. In the context of the Psalm and Paul’s message, it points to a special moment of declaring Jesus as God’s chosen Son, especially in connection with the resurrection.

Why Acts 13:33 matters

  • Acts 13:33 clarifies that the resurrection of Jesus is not a break from Jewish tradition, but the fulfillment of God’s promises found in the Hebrew Scriptures.
  • This verse helps readers see that early Christian teaching was rooted in the Old Testament, showing continuity between the faith of Israel and the message about Jesus.
  • By quoting Psalm 2, Paul emphasizes that Jesus’ role as God’s Son was not invented after His resurrection, but was part of God’s plan all along.

Where else these words appear

“psalm” Greek G5568 · used in 7 verses

  • Luke 20:42 And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
  • Acts 1:20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.
  • Ephesians 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

“day” Greek G4594 · used in 40 verses

  • Matthew 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.
  • Luke 13:32 And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.
  • Acts 26:29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.

“second” Greek G1208 · used in 45 verses

  • Matthew 21:30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.
  • Acts 7:13 And at the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren; and Joseph's kindred was made known unto Pharaoh.
  • Hebrews 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

“begotten” Greek G1080 · used in 65 verses

  • Matthew 1:2 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;
  • Luke 1:13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
  • Acts 7:20 In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father's house three months: