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.

ACTS 13:34KJV
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Acts 13:34 (KJV)

What does Acts 13:34 mean?

Acts 13:34 says that God raised Jesus from the dead, and unlike before, Jesus will never die or decay again. The verse quotes God’s promise to give “the sure mercies of David,” meaning the reliable, lasting blessings promised to David are now fulfilled in Jesus.

Paul is speaking to a Jewish audience in a synagogue, explaining how Jesus’ resurrection is the fulfillment of God’s promises in the Hebrew Scriptures. By mentioning “the sure mercies of David,” Paul connects Jesus’ resurrection to God’s covenant with David, showing that Jesus’ victory over death is permanent and proves God’s faithfulness to His promises.

The Greek behind Acts 13:34

  • ἀναστήσας (anastēsas, “raised”): This word means to cause someone to rise up, especially from the dead. Here, it emphasizes that God actively brought Jesus back to life.
  • διαφθοράν (diaphthoran, “corruption”): This word refers to decay or decomposition. The verse stresses that Jesus, unlike others, will never return to a state of decay or death.
  • τὰ ὅσια (ta hosia, “mercies”): This word means holy or faithful things, often understood as God’s steadfast promises. The phrase “the sure mercies of David” points to God’s unbreakable commitment to David, now seen in Jesus.
  • πιστά (pista, “sure”): This word means faithful, reliable, or trustworthy. It highlights the absolute certainty of God’s promises being fulfilled in Jesus.

Why Acts 13:34 matters

  • Acts 13:34 clarifies that Jesus’ resurrection is not temporary; He will never face death or decay again, unlike others who were raised in the Bible but died later.
  • The verse ties Jesus directly to the Old Testament promises to David, helping Jewish listeners see Jesus as the true fulfillment of God’s covenant.
  • By quoting Scripture, Paul shows that the resurrection was not a new idea but something God had planned and promised long before, strengthening the trustworthiness of the Christian message.

Where else these words appear

“corruption” Greek G1312 · used in 6 verses

  • Acts 2:27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
  • Acts 2:31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
  • Acts 13:36 For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:

“mercies” Greek G3741 · used in 8 verses

  • Acts 2:27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
  • 1 Timothy 2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
  • Hebrews 7:26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

“more” Greek G3371 · used in 21 verses

  • Matthew 21:19 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.
  • John 8:11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
  • Ephesians 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

“return” Greek G5290 · used in 35 verses

  • Mark 14:40 And when he returned, he found them asleep again,(for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.
  • Luke 9:10 And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida.
  • Acts 1:12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.