What does Acts 13:30 mean?

But God raised him from the dead: Acts 13:30

Explanation

In Acts 13:30, the author, traditionally identified as Luke, is affirming the core Christian belief that Jesus Christ was resurrected from the dead by God. This event is cited as a fulfillment of the divine promise, marking Jesus as the Messiah and substantiating the Christian message of salvation. Literally, the verse asserts that God performed a supernatural act in raising Jesus from death, which is foundational for Christian faith. From a deeper perspective, the verse serves to highlight the power of God over life and death and to provide a basis for the Christian hope in resurrection and eternal life.

Historical Context

Acts 13:30 is situated within the context of Paul’s first missionary journey, which likely took place around AD 46–48. The Book of Acts recounts the spread of the Christian faith from Jerusalem to the Gentile world. In the Jewish context of the time, the resurrection of the dead was a significant hope, although groups like the Sadducees rejected this belief. Paul’s assertion of Jesus’ resurrection was made to a mixed audience of Jews and God-fearing Gentiles in Antioch, Pisidia, and would have had different impacts on these groups, challenging some and affirming the beliefs of others.

Theological Insights

This verse is a linchpin for several theological viewpoints within Christianity. From an orthodox Christian perspective, Jesus’ resurrection is seen as the pivotal event in human history, validating Jesus’ divinity and mission. It has eschatological implications, pointing believers toward a future resurrection and judgment. In liberal theological circles, resurrection may be interpreted metaphorically, emphasizing transformation instead of a literal physical event. By contrast, conservative theologians insist on a bodily resurrection as the cornerstone of historical Christian doctrine.

Practical Applications

The belief in Jesus’ resurrection as stated in Acts 13:30 encourages Christians to live with hope beyond their present circumstances. It can foster resilience and a focus on spiritual rather than only earthly concerns. In practice, this belief may influence Christians to share their faith with others, provide comfort in bereavement with the hope of resurrection, and inspire ethical living in light of an accountable future after death.

Cross-References

• 1 Corinthians 15:3-4: “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”
• Romans 6:4: “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
• Acts 2:24: “Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.”

Language Study

The key terms in the original Greek text of this verse include:

• “God” (Θεός, Theos): Referring to the one supreme divine being.
• “Raised” (ἤγειρεν, ēgeiren): Aorist active indicative of the verb “to raise,” implying a completed action. Conveys the sense of lifting or waking from death.
• “from the dead” (ἐκ νεκρῶν, ek nekrōn): Expressing that Jesus was raised out of the state of being dead, emphasizing a transition from death to life.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparisons can be drawn between the Christian narrative of resurrection and other ancient myths where deities or heroes die and return to life, such as the stories of Osiris in Egyptian mythology, Dionysus in Greek mythology, or the saga of the Sumerian goddess Inanna. However, Christian doctrine insists that Jesus’ resurrection is a unique, historical event rather than a mythical tale, and serves not only as a spiritual metaphor but also as a promise of bodily resurrection for believers.

Scientific Perspectives

The resurrection described in Acts 13:30 is a supernatural event and as such lies outside the purview of scientific inquiry, which is based on natural laws and explanations. The resurrection is accepted by faith in the religious domain, and from a scientific standpoint, it is not possible to evaluate the event using empirical methodology. However, the historical context and impact of belief in resurrection can be studied through the lenses of anthropology, sociology, and history.

Commentaries

Scholars and theologians offer various interpretations of Acts 13:30:

• Traditional commentaries emphasize the historicity of Jesus’ resurrection and its centrality in Christian theology.
• Critical scholars might explore the authorship and reliability of the Acts account, examining it alongside other historical sources.
• Some modern commentators might focus on the sociopolitical implications of proclaiming Jesus’ resurrection in a Greco-Roman world.
• Pastoral interpretations often underscore the hope and assurance the resurrection offers to believers.

Each perspective seeks to explore the significance of the verse within the larger framework of Christian doctrine, its historical context, and its impact on the Christian community and the world.