Acts 13:23
Of this man’s offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
God didn't just promise a Savior; He brought Him forth to Israel. This careful wording highlights that Jesus' coming wasn't accidental but a deliberate act of divine orchestration, fulfilling ancient prophecies for His chosen people. It emphasizes that God initiated this salvation plan, bringing Jesus to them as promised.
Paul is in Pisidian Antioch, addressing a Jewish synagogue and explaining how Jesus fulfills God's ancient promises to Israel. He's just recounted Israel's history from their deliverance from Egypt through the reign of King David, establishing that Jesus is the promised descendant of David. Paul continues to show how John the Baptist heralded Jesus' coming as the Savior, a crucial point of connection for his listeners.
How do we know Jesus is the one God promised?
Paul begins by anchoring Jesus in a long line of promises stretching back to King David. This wasn't a surprise announcement, but the fulfillment of ancient prophecies.
The Seed of David
God promised David that his family line would endure forever and that one of his descendants would establish an everlasting kingdom. Jesus, as the Son of David, is the ultimate fulfillment of this promise.
A Savior for Israel
This descendant wasn't just a king; he was a 'Savior.' This title points to Jesus' mission to rescue his people, first and foremost from their sins, and ultimately from all the effects of sin.
Why is the name 'Jesus' so important here?
Paul explicitly names Jesus, and this name is far from accidental. It carries the weight of his divine mission.
A Name of Salvation
The name Jesus is the Greek form of Joshua, meaning 'The LORD saves' or 'Yahweh is salvation.' It perfectly encapsulates his purpose.
More Than a Human Savior
While Jesus came through David's lineage, Paul makes it clear that it was God who raised him up. This signifies that Jesus is not just a human hero, but God's own provision for salvation, sent to the people of Israel first.
Understand the original words
spermatos · Greek Noun
Biological descendants or posterity. Biblically, this term is frequently used to describe the genealogical lineage of the promised Messiah.
sōtēra · Greek Noun
One who delivers, rescues, or saves others from danger, bondage, or sin. In the New Testament, it is the title par excellence for Jesus Christ, who delivers humanity from the penalty and power of sin.
epēngeilato · Greek Verb
A solemn declaration or commitment made by God to His people. It signifies the reliability and faithfulness of God to fulfill what He has announced.
This verse connects Jesus directly to the lineage of King David and the fulfillment of ancient promises, grounding the Gospel message in Israel's history and God's faithfulness.
c. 1000 BC
Davidic Covenant Established
God promises King David that his descendant will rule forever and establish an everlasting kingdom, pointing forward to the Messiah. This promise forms the foundation for later prophecies about a Davidic Messiah.
c. 700 BC
Prophecies of a Davidic Messiah
Prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah reiterate the promise of a descendant of David who will bring salvation and reign justly. These prophecies were well-known to Jews in Paul's audience.
c. AD 28-30
John the Baptist's Ministry
John the Baptist begins his public ministry, calling the people of Israel to repentance and baptizing them. He prepares the way for Jesus, explicitly stating he is not the Messiah but that Jesus is to come after him.
c. AD 28-30— this verse
Jesus' Public Ministry
Jesus begins his ministry of teaching, healing, and proclaiming the Kingdom of God. His life and actions fulfill prophecies about the promised Messiah, the Savior of Israel.
This passage shows God's foundational promise to David that his descendant would reign forever, directly setting the stage for Jesus' Davidic lineage as the promised Savior.
Isaiah 11:1This prophecy explicitly foretells a shoot emerging from Jesse (David's father) who will have the Spirit of the Lord, echoing the 'seed of David' concept and pointing to the Messiah's identity.
Luke 1:31-33The angel Gabriel directly announces to Mary that her son will be called Jesus, the Son of the Most High, and will inherit the throne of David, fulfilling God's promise.
Matthew 1:1This verse immediately introduces Jesus as 'the Son of David, the Son of Abraham,' establishing His lineage and the fulfillment of Old Testament promises right from the start.
John 3:16While broader, this verse reveals the ultimate purpose of God sending His Son—that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life—connecting the promise of a Savior to the salvation He provides.
barnesActs 13:23: "Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:"
Of this man's seed - Of his posterity. According to his promise - See the notes on Acts 2:30. Raised unto Israel - See the notes on Acts 2:30. A Saviour, Jesus - See the notes on Matthew 1:21.
bensonActs 13:23: "Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:"
Acts 13:23-25 . Of this man’s seed — From that rod out of the stem of Jesse, that branch out of his roots; hath God, according to his promise, ( Isaiah 9:6-7 ; Isaiah 11:1 ; Jeremiah 23:5-6 ,) raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus — So long foretold in the sacred oracles. When John had first preached, before his coming — Greek, προ προσωπου της εισοδου , to introduce his appearance: (so Doddrid…
God didn't just promise a Savior; He brought Him forth to Israel. This careful wording highlights that Jesus' coming wasn't accidental but a deliberate act of divine orchestration, fulfilling ancient prophecies for His chosen people. It emphasizes that God initiated this salvation plan, bringing Jesus to them as promised.
Paul is in Pisidian Antioch, addressing a Jewish synagogue and explaining how Jesus fulfills God's ancient promises to Israel. He's just recounted Israel's history from their deliverance from Egypt through the reign of King David, establishing that Jesus is the promised descendant of David. Paul continues to show how John the Baptist heralded Jesus' coming as the Savior, a crucial point of connection for his listeners.
Paul is in Pisidian Antioch, addressing a Jewish synagogue and explaining how Jesus fulfills God's ancient promises to Israel. He's just recounted Israel's history from their deliverance from Egypt through the reign of King David, establishing that Jesus is the promised descendant of David. Paul continues to show how John the Baptist heralded Jesus' coming as the Savior, a crucial point of connection for his listeners.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Acts 13:23 is available in the Sola app.
c. AD 40s-50s
Paul's Missionary Journeys
The Apostle Paul travels throughout the Roman Empire, establishing churches and sharing the Gospel. His preaching in Pisidian Antioch, recorded in Acts 13, aims to convince Jewish and Gentile audiences that Jesus is the promised Messiah.
"Of this man’s offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised." — God didn't just promise a Savior; He brought Him forth to Israel. This careful wording highlights that Jesus' coming wasn't accidental but a deliberate act of divine orchestration, fulfilling anc…
