Acts 13:35 (KJV)

What does Acts 13:35 mean?

Acts 13:35 quotes a line from the Psalms, saying that God will not allow His "Holy One" to see decay or corruption. This is used to show that someone special—called the "Holy One"—will not experience the normal process of the body breaking down after death.

In Acts 13:35, Paul is speaking in a synagogue, explaining how Jesus fulfills promises found in the Hebrew Scriptures. Paul refers to a different psalm (Psalm 16:10) to show that God's chosen one would not remain dead long enough for the body to decompose. This verse is part of Paul's larger argument that Jesus' resurrection was foretold in the Jewish Scriptures.

The Greek behind Acts 13:35

• Ὅσιον (hosion) — "Holy One": This Greek word means someone who is set apart, pure, or devoted to God. Here, it points to a unique individual, not just any faithful person.
• διαφθοράν (diaphthoran) — "corruption": This word means decay or decomposition, especially of a body after death. The verse emphasizes that the "Holy One" would not undergo this physical process.
• ἰδεῖν (idein) — "to see": In Greek, "to see" often means "to experience" or "to undergo." The verse is saying the Holy One will not experience decay.

Why Acts 13:35 matters

• Acts 13:35 clarifies that the promise in the Psalms was not about David himself, since David died and his body decayed, but about someone greater.
• This verse is a key part of Paul's argument that Jesus' resurrection was not a new idea, but something rooted in ancient Scripture.
• Understanding the Greek words for "Holy One" and "corruption" helps show that the focus is on physical death and decay, not just spiritual ideas.