For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

ACTS 2:34KJV
Know the Bible

Acts 2:34 (KJV)

What does Acts 2:34 mean?

Acts 2:34 says that David did not ascend into heaven, but instead, David himself spoke of the LORD telling his "Lord" to sit at His right hand. This verse highlights that David was speaking prophetically about someone greater than himself, not about his own experience.

Peter is speaking to a crowd in Jerusalem during Pentecost, explaining that the resurrection and exaltation described in the Psalms were not about David personally. Peter quotes David’s words to show that David foresaw the Messiah’s exaltation, pointing to Jesus as the one whom God invited to sit at His right hand—a position of honor and authority.

The Greek behind Acts 2:34

  • ἀνέβη (anebē, "ascended"): This word means to go up or ascend. Peter uses it to clarify that David himself did not physically go up into heaven, so the prophecy cannot be about David.
  • κύριος (kyrios, "LORD" and "Lord"): The same Greek word is used for both "LORD" (God) and "my Lord" (the Messiah). The distinction comes from the context, showing that David is referring to two different persons—God and someone David calls "my Lord."
  • δεξιᾷ (dexia, "right hand"): This phrase refers to a place of highest honor and authority. Sitting at the right hand of God means sharing in God's rule or authority, which was not something David claimed for himself.

Why Acts 2:34 matters

  • Acts 2:34 clarifies that the Old Testament prophecy about sitting at God's right hand was not fulfilled by David but pointed forward to someone else, supporting Peter’s claim about Jesus.
  • The verse helps the reader see that the early Christians read the Psalms as speaking about the Messiah, not just about Israel’s past kings.
  • This verse connects to Peter’s larger argument in Acts 2, showing that Jesus’ resurrection and exaltation were foretold and are central to understanding who Jesus is.

Where else these words appear

“hand” Greek G1188 · used in 53 verses

  • Matthew 5:29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
  • Mark 16:5 And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.
  • 2 Corinthians 6:7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

“David” Greek G1138 · used in 54 verses

  • Matthew 1:1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
  • Mark 10:48 And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.
  • Acts 1:16 Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.

“ascended” Greek G305 · used in 77 verses

  • Matthew 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
  • John 1:51 And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.
  • Acts 21:4 And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.

“thou” Greek G2521 · used in 87 verses

  • Matthew 4:16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
  • Luke 1:79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
  • Revelation 4:9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,