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Act 13:33. Ἐν τῷ ψαλμῷ, in the Psalm) Kimichi thinks that this Psalm was written by David about the beginning of his reign. However, that it was written at Jerusalem, may be inferred from the words in Act 4:27, in this city.[78] For Sion is mentioned in Psa 2:6. Luke mentioned the Psalm without the numeral epithet[79] (see Appar. Crit. p. 622; Ed. ii. pp. 294, 295. Add Hesychius the Presbyter, in the Anecdota Græca of Wolf, T. iii. p. 175): otherwise the word first would not have been written by some, and second by others afterwards; nay, the doubt whether it was the first or second Psalm would have never arisen among the ancients. Why should not Luke have also specifically said, at least (if he specified the Psalm in the former case) at Act 13:35, which makes reference to this Act 13:33, the 15th or 16th Psalm? [Whereas he only says, “In another Psalm.”]-Υἱός μου εἶ σύ· ἐγὼ σήμερον γεγέννηκά σε) So the LXX., Psa 2:7.-Υἱός μου, My Son) This is the sentiment, Thou, Jesus, art My Son, and therefore the true Messiah. Comp. note on Heb 5:5, “Christ glorified not Himself to be made an High Priest, but He that said unto Him, Thou art My Son” (not meaning that the priesthood was conferred on Him at the time when the Father said, Thou art My Son, for the Sonship is prior to the Priesthood; but that the Son, who alone was capable of that Priesthood, as such received it from the Father).[80]-σὺ) Thou, alone, the Messiah. Paul refers, whilst he quotes the chief point, to the whole Psalm, which was well known to his hearers, and especially the second verse, where there is express mention of the Messiah, “The Lord and His Anointed.” The pronouns, σὺ, ἐγὼ, thou, I, are put together in succession with marvellous force.-σήμερον, this day) The Son of God is indeed from everlasting: but His everlasting nature is never signified by the expression, this day. Wherefore the words, This day have I begotten Thee, are used in this sense: This day I have definitely declared, that Thou art My Son. The generation, properly so called, is presupposed. The Lord said, Thou art My Son, at the time when the psalm was sung: comp. Heb 4:7-9, note: and also at the time when Christ was born as the Son of David. Moreover, a thing is often said to be done then, when it is vividly presented to the eyes as one or about to done: 2Ch 9:6, The Queen of Sheba to Solomon, “I believed not-until-mine eyes had seen: and the one half-was not told me; for thou hast added to, προσέθηκας (i.e. I see there is additional greatness in thee besides), the fame that I heard:” Jos 22:31, ἐῤῥύσασθε, ye have delivered (ye have shown yourselves as delivering: Phinehas to the children of Reuben): and so Heb 1:6, “When He bringeth the first-begotten into the world;” Act 1:18, note, where Judas is said to have purchased the field, because he was the occasion of its being purchased, and had himself designed to purchase it: a condensed mode of expression. Glassius has collected more examples out of the sacred writings, l. 3, tr. 3, can. 15; and Linacer, l. 2, at the end, some out of profane authors. The expression this day, which occurs, Luk 2:11, “Unto you is born this day,” may be compared. Comp. ibid. ch. Luk 1:32-33; Luk 1:35. Often the particle to-day expresses present time, as Deu 31:2, “I am an hundred and twenty years old this day:” Jos 14:11, so Caleb, this day. It is therefore an abbreviated expression, as Joh 8:58, Before that Abraham was made, I (was, and to-day) am. So I have begotten Thee; and that fact is this day visible, that I have begotten Thee. Comp. Heb 10:8-9, note (the authority of the Psalms is shown, in that the declaration of the Son of God was made at the time that the second Psalm was composed, as the oath of Jehovah as to His Priesthood was made when the 110th Psalm was composed).
[78] Rec. Text in Act 4:27 omits the words ἐν τῇ πόλει ταύτῃ. But ABDEde Vulg. Hilar. Iren. and Lucif., the weightiest authorities, support them.-E. and T.
[79] Which is more openly shown by the margin of Ed. 2, than by the margin of the larger Ed.-E. B.
[80] I think the connection of the Sonship with the Resurrection of Jesus (for so I take ἀναστήσας), according to the apostle’s reasoning, is, that the latter was the manifestation of the former to all. So Rom 1:4 : Declared to be the Son of God with power-by the resurrection from the dead. The same connection exists between the believer’s sonship (heretofore hidden) and his future resurrection, which shall manifest it; Luk 20:36; 1Pe 1:3; Rev 1:5; 1Jn 3:2; Rom 8:23.-E. and T.
Lachm. reads ὡς καὶ ἐν τῷ ψαλμῷ γέγραπται τῷ πρώτῳ, following (1) the order of the words in ABC, and (2) the numeral which Origen expressly mentions as being the reading of the passage, 2,538a; also Dd Hilar. 27,42, though not in the same order. Tisch. has ὡς καὶ ἐν τῷ πρώτῳ ψαλμῷ γέγραπται, following D and Hilar, as above. Rec. Text has τῷ δευτέρῳ, with Ee Vulg.; but Jerome supports πρώτῳ. The reading of Rec. Text no doubt was a correction to suit the present order and division of the Psalms.-E. and T.