What is the context?
Peter now identifies the Jesus whom the crowd needs to understand. His ministry was accompanied by God’s signs, He was put to death, and God raised Him. Peter holds together God’s purpose and the responsibility of those involved in the crucifixion. The plan does not make their actions innocent.
Peter quotes David’s words in Psalm 16 and explains why they point beyond David’s own experience. David died and was buried, but he spoke as a prophet of the Messiah’s resurrection. The apostles present themselves as witnesses that God has raised Jesus.
The sermon then joins resurrection, exaltation and the gift of the Spirit. The Jesus who has been raised and exalted has poured out what the crowd sees and hears. Psalm 110 supplies the royal language of sitting at God’s right hand while awaiting the defeat of His enemies.
The conclusion calls Israel to recognize this crucified Jesus as Lord and Christ. Peter is announcing the authority of the risen Messiah, rather than leaving the crowd to admire an unexplained miracle.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Christians commonly read this as a central statement of the apostolic gospel: Jesus’s death belongs within God’s purpose, His resurrection fulfills Scripture, and His exaltation explains the outpouring of the Spirit. Wesley on verses 23–35 follows those connections between Christ’s saving death, David’s promises and the risen Lord’s authority. The passage gives no basis for assigning responsibility for the crucifixion indiscriminately to Jewish people of later generations.
Where does this fit in God's plan?
Peter directly applies Psalm 16:8–11 and Psalm 110:1 to the Messiah’s resurrection and exaltation. The promises are not left as distant hopes; the witnesses announce that God has acted in Jesus.
Hebrews 10:12–14 also joins Christ’s place at God’s right hand with His completed sacrifice and the future defeat of His enemies. The risen Lord’s present reign and the expectation of what God will yet bring to completion belong together.
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.