this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm, “‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse points to the resurrection as the pivotal moment God declared Jesus His Son, not that the resurrection made Him God's Son, but rather revealed this eternal truth with undeniable power. It's a public declaration that validates Jesus' identity, echoing the ancient king's affirmation as God's chosen in Psalm 2.
this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm, “‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is continuing his sermon, explaining how Jesus is the promised Savior, and he connects the resurrection of Jesus to God's promises made to the people of Israel. He's already shown how the Old Testament points to Jesus and now uses Psalm 2 to declare that God's raising Jesus from the dead is the fulfillment of the divine declaration that Jesus is His Son.
Paul is weaving together ancient promises and present reality. How does the resurrection of Jesus 'complete' God's word?
Paul proclaims that God's promise has been fully realized ('completely fulfilled') through Jesus' resurrection.
The phrase 'today I have begotten you' sounds like Jesus' origin story. But is it about how he became God's Son, or about God declaring who he already was?
When Paul quotes Psalm 2:7, 'You are my Son, today I have begotten you,' he's not saying Jesus became God's Son at his resurrection. Instead, the resurrection is the day God publicly declared and demonstrated Jesus' eternal sonship.
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Understand the original words
ekpeplērōken · Greek Verb
To bring to pass, complete, or realize that which was formerly foretold or promised by God. It signifies the transition from shadow or prophecy to the historical reality of the New Covenant.
Huios · Greek Noun
A unique title of Jesus Christ, emphasizing His divine nature, His eternal relationship with the Father, and His position as the mediator and representative of God’s kingdom.
gegennēka · Greek Verb
The process of being brought forth. In the New Testament, it is used in the context of the resurrection to signify the manifestation or declaration of Jesus as the eternal Son of God in human history.
Paul's sermon highlights how the resurrection of Jesus is the definitive fulfillment of God's promises, powerfully demonstrating that Jesus, as the Son of God, is the Messiah foretold in ancient Scripture like Psalm 2.
c. 1000 BC
Davidic Kingdom Established
King David establishes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, uniting the tribes and ushering in a golden age. The Psalms, including Psalm 2, are composed during this period, often celebrating royal victories and divine affirmation of kingship.
c. 970 BC
Solomon's Reign
Solomon, David's son, continues the Davidic dynasty. Psalm 2, with its prophetic pronouncements about God's Anointed King, is often associated with this period of established royal authority.
c. 605 BC - 586 BC
Babylonian Exile
The southern kingdom of Judah falls to Babylon. Many Jews are deported, including key figures and intellectuals, leading to a re-evaluation of God's promises and the role of the Messiah.
c. 539 BC
Return from Exile
The Persian Empire allows the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem. The community begins rebuilding the Temple and re-establishing their religious and civic life, with renewed anticipation for the fulfillment of Messianic prophecies.
c. 400 BC - 150 BC
Second Temple Period
The Jewish people live under various foreign empires (Persian, Hellenistic, Hasmonean). Messianic expectations grow, with many interpreting prophetic and poetic scriptures, including the Psalms, as pointing to a future Davidic king who will liberate them.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus
Jesus is crucified in Jerusalem. His resurrection from the dead is proclaimed by his followers as the decisive act of God, fulfilling ancient promises and demonstrating Jesus' divine authority as the promised Messiah.
c. AD 48-49
Paul's First Missionary Journey
The Apostle Paul, a Jewish Pharisee, begins his ministry. In Pisidian Antioch's synagogue, he preaches the Gospel, connecting Jesus' resurrection to Old Testament prophecies, including Psalm 2.
This is the direct Old Testament passage Paul is quoting, linking the Messianic promise to Jesus' divine sonship declared through His resurrection.
Romans 1:4This passage echoes Paul's argument, explicitly stating Jesus was 'declared to be the Son of God in power... by his resurrection from the dead.'
Hebrews 1:5This verse directly quotes Psalm 2:7 and uses it to emphasize the superiority of Jesus, God's Son, over the angels.
Acts 2:36Peter's sermon earlier in Acts powerfully connects Jesus' exaltation and divine sonship to His resurrection, mirroring Paul's point here.
Colossians 1:18This verse refers to Christ as the 'beginning, the firstborn from the dead,' underscoring how the resurrection marks a new era and affirms His unique status.
ellicottActs 13:33: "God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee."
(33) God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children. —The better MSS. give, with hardly an exception, unto our children, and the Received text must be regarded as having been made to obtain what seemed a more natural meaning. St. Paul’s language, however, is but an echo of St. Peter’s “to us and to…
clarkeActs 13:33: "God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee."
Written in the second Psalm - Instead of τῳ ψαλμῳ τῳ δευτερῳ the second Psalm, πρωτῳ ψαλμῳ, the first Psalm, is the reading of D, and its Itala version, and several of the primitive fathers. Griesbach has received it into the text; but not, in my opinion, on sufficient evidence. The reason of the…
The verse points to the resurrection as the pivotal moment God declared Jesus His Son, not that the resurrection made Him God's Son, but rather revealed this eternal truth with undeniable power. It's a public declaration that validates Jesus' identity, echoing the ancient king's affirmation as God's chosen in Psalm 2.
Paul is continuing his sermon, explaining how Jesus is the promised Savior, and he connects the resurrection of Jesus to God's promises made to the people of Israel. He's already shown how the Old Testament points to Jesus and now uses Psalm 2 to declare that God's raising Jesus from the dead is the fulfillment of the divine declaration that Jesus is His Son.
Paul is continuing his sermon, explaining how Jesus is the promised Savior, and he connects the resurrection of Jesus to God's promises made to the people of Israel. He's already shown how the Old Testament points to Jesus and now uses Psalm 2 to declare that God's raising Jesus from the dead is the fulfillment of the divine declaration that Jesus is His Son.
"this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm,
“‘You are my Son,
today I have begotten you.’" — The verse points to the resurrection as the pivotal moment God declared Jesus His Son, not that the resurrection *made* Him God's Son, but rather *revealed* this eternal truth with undeniable power.…
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Last reviewed October 2026