The Meaning of Acts 2:23 Explained

Acts 2:23

KJV: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

YLT: this one, by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, being given out, having taken by lawless hands, having crucified -- ye did slay;

Darby: him, given up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye, by the hand of lawless men, have crucified and slain.

ASV: him, being delivered up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye by the hand of lawless men did crucify and slay:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Him,  being delivered  by the determinate  counsel  and  foreknowledge  of God,  ye have taken,  and by  wicked  hands  have crucified  and slain: 

What does Acts 2:23 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Peter pointed out that Jesus" crucifixion had been no accident but was part of God"s eternal plan (cf. Acts 3:18; Acts 4:28; Acts 13:29). Peter laid guilt for Jesus" death at the Jews" feet (cf. Acts 2:36; Acts 3:15; Acts 4:10; Acts 5:30; Acts 7:52; Acts 10:39; Acts 13:28) and on the Gentile Romans (cf. Acts 4:27; Luke 23:24-25). Note Peter"s reference to both the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man in this verse.
"God had willed the death of Jesus ( John 3:16) and the death of Judas ( Acts 1:16), but that fact did not absolve Judas from his responsibility and guilt ( Luke 22:22). He acted as a free moral agent." [1]
The ultimate cause of Jesus" death was God"s plan and foreknowledge, but the secondary cause was the antagonism of godless Jewish and Roman men. Really the sins of every human being put Jesus on the cross.

Context Summary

Acts 2:14-24 - The Outpoured Spirit
The exulting joy of these Spirit-anointed people was accounted for by some through charging them with drunkenness. Peter dismissed the charge as absurd, seeing that the day was yet young. With a readiness that the Spirit had inspired, he declared it to be a partial fulfillment of Joel's prophecy. This is that, Acts 2:16. Alas, we cannot say as much! This might be that; this shall be that-these are all that we can affirm. Shall we ever be able to say, This is that?
In the pre-Christian times the Spirit was given to mountain-top saints, but from Pentecost onward, sons and daughters, old and young, servants and hand-maidens, were to participate in His gracious influences. It is for the democracy of the Church, for the whosoevers who call on the name of the Lord, for the valleys as well as the hills.
Notice that God's determinate counsel and pre-arrangement did not take away the guilt that lay upon the murderers of the Christ. The hands that slew Him were wicked ones, Acts 2:23. But God vindicated Jesus by the Resurrection, which reversed the judgment of men and proved Him the Son of God with power, Romans 1:4. [source]

Chapter Summary: Acts 2

1  The apostles, filled with the Holy Spirit, and speaking various languages,
12  are admired by some, and derided by others;
14  whom Peter disproves;
37  he baptizes a great number who were converted;
41  who afterwards devoutly and charitably converse together;
43  the apostles working many miracles,
46  and God daily increasing his church

Greek Commentary for Acts 2:23

Him [τουτον]
“This one,” resumptive and emphatic object of “did crucify and slay.” [source]
Being delivered up [εκδοτον]
Verbal adjective from εκδιδωμι — ekdidōmi to give out or over. Old word, but here only in the N.T. Delivered up by Judas, Peter means. By the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God (τηι ωρισμενηι βουληι και προγνωσηι του τεου — tēi hōrismenēi boulēi kai prognōsēi tou theou). Instrumental case. Note both purpose (βουλη — boulē) and foreknowledge (προγνωσις — prognōsis) of God and “determined” (ωρισμενη — hōrismenē perfect passive participle, state of completion). God had willed the death of Jesus (John 3:16) and the death of Judas (Acts 1:16), but that fact did not absolve Judas from his responsibility and guilt (Luke 22:22). He acted as a free moral agent. By the hand Luke is fond of these figures (hand, face, etc.) very much like the Hebrew though the vernacular of all languages uses them. Lawless men (ανομων — anomōn). Men without law, who recognize no law for their conduct, like men in high and low stations today who defy the laws of God and man. Old word, very common in the lxx. Ye did crucify First aorist active participle of προσπηγνυμι — prospēgnumi rare compound word in Dio Cassius and here only in the N.T. One must supply τωι σταυρωι — tōi staurōi and so it means “fastened to the cross,” a graphic picture like Paul‘s “nailed to the cross” Second aorist active indicative with first aorist vowel α — a instead of ο — o as is common in the Koiné. This verb αναιρεω — anaireō to take up, is often used for kill as in Acts 12:2. Note Peter‘s boldness now under the power of the Holy Spirit. He charges the people to their faces with the death of Christ. [source]
By the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God [τηι ωρισμενηι βουληι και προγνωσηι του τεου]
Instrumental case. Note both purpose God had willed the death of Jesus (John 3:16) and the death of Judas (Acts 1:16), but that fact did not absolve Judas from his responsibility and guilt (Luke 22:22). He acted as a free moral agent. [source]
By the hand [δια χειρος]
Luke is fond of these figures (hand, face, etc.) very much like the Hebrew though the vernacular of all languages uses them. Lawless men (ανομων — anomōn). Men without law, who recognize no law for their conduct, like men in high and low stations today who defy the laws of God and man. Old word, very common in the lxx. Ye did crucify First aorist active participle of προσπηγνυμι — prospēgnumi rare compound word in Dio Cassius and here only in the N.T. One must supply τωι σταυρωι — tōi staurōi and so it means “fastened to the cross,” a graphic picture like Paul‘s “nailed to the cross” Second aorist active indicative with first aorist vowel α — a instead of ο — o as is common in the Koiné. This verb αναιρεω — anaireō to take up, is often used for kill as in Acts 12:2. Note Peter‘s boldness now under the power of the Holy Spirit. He charges the people to their faces with the death of Christ. [source]
Lawless men [ανομων]
Men without law, who recognize no law for their conduct, like men in high and low stations today who defy the laws of God and man. Old word, very common in the lxx. [source]
Ye did crucify [προσπηχαντες]
First aorist active participle of προσπηγνυμι — prospēgnumi rare compound word in Dio Cassius and here only in the N.T. One must supply τωι σταυρωι — tōi staurōi and so it means “fastened to the cross,” a graphic picture like Paul‘s “nailed to the cross” Second aorist active indicative with first aorist vowel α — a instead of ο — o as is common in the Koiné. This verb αναιρεω — anaireō to take up, is often used for kill as in Acts 12:2. Note Peter‘s boldness now under the power of the Holy Spirit. He charges the people to their faces with the death of Christ. [source]
Did slay [ανειλατε]
Second aorist active indicative with first aorist vowel α — a instead of ο — o as is common in the Koiné. This verb αναιρεω — anaireō to take up, is often used for kill as in Acts 12:2. Note Peter‘s boldness now under the power of the Holy Spirit. He charges the people to their faces with the death of Christ. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 2:23

Acts 10:39 Whom also they slew [ον και ανειλαν]
Second aorist active indicative of αναιρεω — anaireō with α — a as often in Acts (Acts 2:23; Acts 5:30). But note και — kai (also) in the old MSS., not in the Textus Receptus. They “also” slew him, went that far, “this crowning atrocity” (Vincent), και — kai could here be “even.” Hanging him on a tree (κρεμασαντες επι χυλου — kremasantes epi xulou). This same expression used by Peter in Acts 5:30 which see note for discussion. [source]
Acts 3:18 That his Christ should suffer [πατειν τον Χριστον αυτου]
Accusative of general reference with the aorist active infinitive Their crime, though real, was carrying out God‘s purpose (Acts 2:23; John 3:16). See the same idea in Acts 17:3; Acts 26:23. This “immense paradox” (Page) was a stumbling block to these Jews as it is yet (1 Corinthians 1:23). Peter discusses the sufferings of Christ in 1 Peter 4:13; 1 Peter 5:1. [source]
Acts 5:31 Exalt [υπσωσεν]
(υπσωσεν — upsōsen) In contrast to their murder of Christ as in Acts 2:23. Peter repeats his charges with increased boldness. [source]
Acts 5:33 Were minded [βουλομαι]
Imperfect middle of ανελειν — boulomai They were plotting and planning to kill (anelein as in Acts 2:23; Luke 23:33 which see) then and there. The point in Acts 4:7 was whether the apostles deserved stoning for curing the cripple by demoniacal power, but here it was disobedience to the command of the Sanhedrin which was not a capital offence. “They were on the point of committing a grave judicial blunder” (Furneaux). [source]
Acts 7:25 By his hand was giving them deliverance [δια χειρος αυτου διδωσιν σοτηριαν αυτοις]
Picturesque use of “hand” as in Acts 2:23, present active indicative of διδωμι — didōmi retained in indirect discourse after imperfect ενομιζεν — enomizen But they understood not Page notes “the rhetorical power of these words” from Stephen. Συνηκαν — Sunēkan (first aorist indicative, κ — k aorist) refers to συνιεναι — sunienai just before. [source]
Acts 7:25 That his brethren understood [συνιεναι τους αδελπους]
Present active infinitive of συνιημι — suniēmi to send (put) together, to grasp, to comprehend, in indirect discourse with the accusative of general reference. By his hand was giving them deliverance (δια χειρος αυτου διδωσιν σοτηριαν αυτοις — dia cheiros autou didōsin sotērian autois). Picturesque use of “hand” as in Acts 2:23, present active indicative of διδωμι — didōmi retained in indirect discourse after imperfect ενομιζεν — enomizen But they understood not (οι δε ου συνηκαν — hoi de ou sunēkan). Page notes “the rhetorical power of these words” from Stephen. Συνηκαν — Sunēkan (first aorist indicative, κ — k aorist) refers to συνιεναι — sunienai just before. [source]
Romans 1:4 Who was declared [του οριστεντος]
Articular participle (first aorist passive) of οριζω — horizō for which verb see note on Luke 22:22 and note on Acts 2:23. He was the Son of God in his preincarnate state (2 Corinthians 8:9; Philemon 2:6) and still so after his Incarnation (Romans 1:3, “of the seed of David”), but it was the Resurrection of the dead The Resurrection of Christ is the miracle of miracles. “The resurrection only declared him to be what he truly was” (Denney). [source]
1 Corinthians 9:21 To them that are without law [τοις ανομοις]
The heathen, those outside the Mosaic law (Romans 2:14), not lawless (Luke 22:37; Acts 2:23; 1 Timothy 1:9). See how Paul bore himself with the pagans (Acts 14:15; Acts 17:23; Acts 24:25), and how he quoted heathen poets. “Not being an outlaw of God, but an inlaw of Christ” (Evans, Estius has it exlex, inlex, μη ων ανομος τεου αλλ εννομος Χριστου — mē ōn anomos theouτεου — all' ennomos Christou). The genitive case of Χριστου — theou and ανομος — Christou (specifying case) comes out better thus, for it seems unusual with εννομος — anomos and ennomos both old and regular adjectives. [source]
1 Thessalonians 2:15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets [των και τον Κυριον αποκτειναντων Ιησουν και τους προπητας]
First aorist active participle of αποκτεινω — apokteinō Vivid justification of his praise of the churches in Judea. The Jews killed the prophets before the Lord Jesus who reminded them of their guilt (Matthew 23:29). Paul, as Peter (Acts 2:23), lays the guilt of the death of Christ on the Jews. [source]
1 Peter 1:2 Foreknowledge [πρόγνωσιν]
Only here and Acts 2:23, in Peter's sermon at Pentecost. He is distinguishing there betweenforeknowledge and determinate counsel. [source]
1 Peter 1:2 The foreknowledge [προγνωσιν]
Late substantive (Plutarch, Lucian, papyri) from προγινωσκω — proginōskō (1 Peter 1:20), to know beforehand, only twice in N.T. (here and Acts 2:23 in Peter‘s sermon). In this Epistle Peter often uses substantives rather than verbs (cf. Romans 8:29).Of God the Father (τεου πατρος — theou patros). Anarthous again and genitive case. See πατηρ — patēr applied to God also in 1 Peter 1:3, 1 Peter 1:17 as often by Paul (Romans 1:7, etc.). Peter here presents the Trinity (God the Father, the Spirit, Jesus Christ).In sanctification of the Spirit Clearly the Holy Spirit, though anarthrous like τεου πατρος — theou patros Late word from αγιαζω — hagiazō to render holy Obedience (from υπακουω — hupakouō to hear under, to hearken) to the Lord Jesus as in 1 Peter 1:22 “to the truth,” result of “the sanctification.”And sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ Late substantive from ραντιζω — rantizō to sprinkle (Hebrews 9:13), a word used in the lxx of the sacrifices (Num 19:9, 13, 20, etc.), but not in any non-biblical source so far as known, in N.T. only here and Hebrews 12:24 (of the sprinkling of blood). Reference to the death of Christ on the Cross and to the ratification of the New Covenant by the blood of Christ as given in Hebrews 9:19.; Hebrews 12:24 with allusion to Exodus 24:3-8. Paul does not mention this ritual use of the blood of Christ, but Jesus does (Matthew 26:28; Mark 14:24). Hence it is not surprising to find the use of it by Peter and the author of Hebrews. Hort suggests that Peter may also have an ulterior reference to the blood of the martyrs as in Revelation 7:14.; Revelation 12:11, but only as illustration of what Jesus did for us, not as having any value. The whole Epistle is a commentary upon προγνωσις τεου αγιασμος πνευματοσ αιμα Χριστου — prognōsis theouπλητυντειη — hagiasmos pneumatosπλητυνω — haima Christou (Bigg). Peter is not ashamed of the blood of Christ.Be multiplied (πλητυς — plēthuntheiē). First aorist passive optative (volitive) of χαρις και ειρηνη — plēthunō old verb (from ελεος — plēthus fulness), in a wish. So in 2 Peter 1:2; Judges 1:2, but nowhere else in N.T. salutations. Grace and peace (ελεος — charis kai eirēnē) occur together in 2 Peter 1:2, in 2 John 1:2 (with eleos), and in all Paul‘s Epistles (with eleos added in 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy). [source]

What do the individual words in Acts 2:23 mean?

Him by the determinate plan and foreknowledge - of God delivered up by hands lawless having crucified You put to death
τοῦτον τῇ ὡρισμένῃ βουλῇ καὶ προγνώσει τοῦ Θεοῦ ἔκδοτον διὰ χειρὸς ἀνόμων προσπήξαντες ἀνείλατε

τῇ  by  the 
Parse: Article, Dative Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ὡρισμένῃ  determinate 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Participle Middle or Passive, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: ὁρίζω  
Sense: to define.
βουλῇ  plan 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: βουλή  
Sense: counsel, purpose.
προγνώσει  foreknowledge 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: πρόγνωσις  
Sense: foreknowledge.
τοῦ  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Θεοῦ  of  God 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.
ἔκδοτον  delivered  up 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: ἔκδοτος  
Sense: given over, delivered up.
χειρὸς  hands 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: χείρ  
Sense: by the help or agency of any one, by means of any one.
ἀνόμων  lawless 
Parse: Adjective, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root: ἄνομος  
Sense: destitute of (the Mosaic) law.
προσπήξαντες  having  crucified 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: προσπήγνυμι  
Sense: to fasten.
ἀνείλατε  You  put  to  death 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: ἀναιρέω  
Sense: to take up, to lift up (from the ground).