The Holy Spirit has come upon and filled each of the disciples in the upper room, causing them to speak in other tongues about the wonders of God. A large crowd of Jews from around the world, having come to Jerusalem to celebrate Pentecost, have gathered around the disciples. They were astounded in that they were each hearing the disciple’s words in their own language. Now the Apostle Peter addresses them.

Verses twenty-two and twenty-three: Peter calls these Jews “men of Israel,” reminding them that they are all members of the 12 tribes of Israel (all Jews are Israelites, but all Israelites are not Jews). These people from the tribes of Judah, Benjamin and Levi, nicknamed “Jews” by the King James translators, were present when Jesus was crucified. Peter tells them that because they agreed with the Jewish hierarchy that Jesus should be put to death, they were as guilty as the leaders.

Verses twenty-four through twenty-eight: Here we find Peter quoting King David as He speaks the Words of Jesus Christ Whom God had raised from the dead. Note the beginning of verse 25: “For David spoke concerning Him (Jesus) ….” From this point on David is speaking the Words of Jesus as if Jesus Himself was speaking, Words which prove that Jesus–the One the crowd had helped to kill–was their Messiah Who had risen from the dead. Hear what Jesus said to the Father (as spoken by King David) beginning with verse 25: “For I (Jesus) foresaw the Lord (God the Father) always before My (Jesus’) face, for He (the Father) is on My (Jesus’) right hand, so that I (Jesus) should not be moved. Therefore did My (Jesus’) heart rejoice and My tongue was glad; moreover also My (Jesus’) flesh shall rest in hope (of being resurrected) because Thou (the Father) will not leave My (Jesus’) soul (flesh) in hell (the grave), neither wilt thou (the Father) suffer Thy (the Father’s) Holy One (Jesus) to see corruption (decay). Thou (the Father) hast made known to Me (Jesus) the way of life (the way of righteousness leading to salvation), Thou (the Father) shall make Me (Jesus) full of joy with Thy (the Father’s) countenance (presence).”

Verses twenty-nine through thirty-one: Here Peter speaks about King David, that he “IS dead and buried and his sepulchre (box containing his remains) is with us unto this day.” This proves that Jesus did not take the righteous with Him to heaven when He ascended following His resurrection. David, a man after His own heart, would have surely gone with Him. See Life After Death. In verse 30 Peter notes that David understood that God would raise up His Messiah through him (David), and that the Messiah would one day sit on his (David’s) throne. In verse 31 Peter speaks again about Christ’s resurrection, that His soul (flesh) was not left to decay in the tomb–would not “see corruption”–as had David’s soul.

Verses thirty-two through thirty-six: Here Peter reiterates the fact that Jesus, having been raised from the dead, now sits at the right hand of the Father in heaven. In verse 34 Peter notes that David had not been taken to heaven at the time of Jesus’ ascension. Jesus is the only human being in heaven at this time. See The Rapture and The Kingdom of God. In verse 36 he assures the crowd that the risen Jesus is their Lord (Master) and Christ (anointed One). L.J.