Acts 2:24
God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse uses the imagery of "loosing the pangs of death" to show Jesus' resurrection wasn't just an escape, but a powerful breaking of death's grip. It highlights that death's hold wasn't something Jesus endured until it faded, but a bond God actively broke because it was impossible for the author of life to be permanently subdued.
Peter is mid-sermon, directly addressing the crowd after the Holy Spirit descended. He's just spoken about Jesus' miracles and the people's rejection of Him, leading to His crucifixion. Now, he emphatically declares that God raised Jesus from the dead, proving His divine authority and undoing death's grip.
Understand the original words
anistēmi · Greek Verb
Refers to the literal and historical resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. This act signifies God's vindication of Christ’s mission, His victory over sin and death, and the foundation of the Christian hope.
thanatos · Greek Noun
The state of non-existence or separation from God initiated by sin. In the context of Christ, it refers to the grave or the power of death that Jesus overcame through His resurrection, demonstrating that death has no ultimate claim on Him.
This verse is preached in the immediate aftermath of Pentecost, emphasizing that Jesus' resurrection wasn't just a rumor but a divinely ordained event that broke the power of death, as foretold in Scripture.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Crucifixion of Jesus
Jesus is arrested, tried, and crucified by Roman authorities in Jerusalem. This event is the central point of Peter's sermon, highlighting the apparent defeat of Jesus.
c. 30 AD
Burial of Jesus
Jesus' body is placed in a tomb after his crucifixion, seemingly ending his earthly ministry and leaving his followers in despair.
c. 30 AD
Resurrection of Jesus
Three days after his burial, Jesus is raised from the dead by God. This event is the core of Peter's argument, proving Jesus' divine authority and the power of God.
c. 30 AD
Ascension of Jesus
Jesus ascends into heaven, signifying the completion of his earthly mission and his return to the Father's right hand.
This passage speaks of 'the cords of death' and 'the grave's grip,' which directly parallels the imagery of death holding onto Jesus in Acts 2:24.
Isaiah 53:10This prophecy describes the suffering servant's 'soul making an offering for sin' and seeing 'the fruit of the travail of his soul.' This connects to the idea of Christ enduring the 'pains' or 'travail' of death, which ultimately led to his release and vindication.
Romans 6:4This verse speaks of Christ being raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, mirroring the action of God raising Jesus in Acts 2:24 and emphasizing the power that overcame death's hold.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4This passage summarizes the gospel, including Christ's death for our sins and his resurrection on the third day, which is the very event Peter is explaining in Acts 2:24 as God's powerful act of liberation.
Hebrews 2:14-15This text explains that Jesus shared in human nature so that through death he might 'destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,' directly supporting the idea in Acts 2:24 that death could not hold him because of his victory over its power.
clarkeActs 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."
Whom God hath raised up - For, as God alone gave him up to death, so God alone raised him up from death. Having loosed the pains of death - It is generally supposed that this expression means, the dissolving of those bonds or obligations by which those who enter into the region of the dead are detained there till the day of the resurrection; and this is supposed to…
barnesActs 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."
Whom God hath raised up - This was the main point, in this part of his argument, which Peter wished to establish. He could not but admit that the Messiah had been in an ignominious manner put to death. But he now shows them that God had also raised him up; had thus given his attestation to his doctrine; and had sent down his Spirit according to the promise which th…
This verse uses the imagery of "loosing the pangs of death" to show Jesus' resurrection wasn't just an escape, but a powerful breaking of death's grip. It highlights that death's hold wasn't something Jesus endured until it faded, but a bond God actively broke because it was impossible for the author of life to be permanently subdued.
Peter is mid-sermon, directly addressing the crowd after the Holy Spirit descended. He's just spoken about Jesus' miracles and the people's rejection of Him, leading to His crucifixion. Now, he emphatically declares that God raised Jesus from the dead, proving His divine authority and undoing death's grip.
Peter is mid-sermon, directly addressing the crowd after the Holy Spirit descended. He's just spoken about Jesus' miracles and the people's rejection of Him, leading to His crucifixion. Now, he emphatically declares that God raised Jesus from the dead, proving His divine authority and undoing death's grip.
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c. 30 AD
Pentecost and Descent of the Holy Spirit
Ten days after the Ascension, the Holy Spirit descends upon Jesus' followers in Jerusalem, empowering them to preach the Gospel. This event directly precedes Peter's sermon.
c. 30 AD
Peter's Sermon at Pentecost
Peter preaches to the crowd in Jerusalem, using the resurrection of Jesus as proof of his identity as the Messiah and Lord. This sermon includes the verse in question.
"God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it." — This verse uses the imagery of "loosing the pangs of death" to show Jesus' resurrection wasn't just an escape, but a powerful breaking of death's grip. It highlights that death's hold wasn't somethin…
