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 2:31KJV
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Acts 2:31 (KJV)

What does Acts 2:31 mean?

Acts 2:31 says that David, seeing ahead, spoke about the resurrection of Christ: that Christ’s soul was not abandoned in hell, and his body did not experience decay. This verse explains that Jesus did not stay dead or in the grave, but was raised to life.

Peter is speaking to a crowd in Jerusalem, explaining how David’s ancient words pointed forward to Jesus. Peter uses this verse to show that the resurrection was not a surprise, but something God had planned and spoken about long before. The verse connects Jesus’ resurrection to Old Testament prophecy, showing continuity between what David wrote and what happened to Jesus.

The Greek behind Acts 2:31

  • ᾅδης (hadēs): Translated “hell” here, this Greek word often refers to the realm of the dead or the grave, not a place of punishment. This helps clarify that the verse is about Jesus not being left among the dead, rather than in a place of torment.
  • διαφθορά (diaphthora): Translated “corruption,” this word means decay or decomposition. The verse emphasizes that Jesus’ body did not undergo the usual process of decay after death.
  • ἀνάστασις (anastasis): This is the Greek word for “resurrection.” It means a rising up or standing again, pointing to Jesus physically coming back to life.

Why Acts 2:31 matters

  • Acts 2:31 clears up the meaning of “hell” in this context, showing it refers to the grave or death, not a place of punishment.
  • The verse highlights that Jesus’ resurrection was foretold in the Old Testament, giving early Christian preaching a strong foundation in Jewish scripture.
  • Acts 2:31 helps the reader see how the early church understood Jesus’ resurrection as a fulfillment of God’s promises, not a new or unexpected event.

Where else these words appear

“before” Greek G4275 · used in 2 verses

  • Galatians 3:8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

“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 13:34 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 13:36 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:

“hell” Greek G86 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 11:23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
  • Luke 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
  • Revelation 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

“was” Greek G2641 · used in 25 verses

  • Matthew 4:13 And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:
  • Luke 10:40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
  • Acts 25:14 And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix: