What is the meaning of Acts 2:35? Until - Peter quotes Psalm 110:1, declaring: “The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet’ ” (Acts 2:34-35). - That word “until” signals a set period. Christ is presently seated at the Father’s right hand (Hebrews 10:12), reigning even now, but His visible triumph over every rival waits for a divinely appointed moment (1 Corinthians 15:24-26). - Nothing can rush or delay that hour; the Father alone fixes the time (Acts 1:7). This gives believers confidence that history is not random—God’s timeline is sure. I make - The initiative rests with God: “I make.” He Himself brings every foe to heel (Isaiah 46:10). - Peter has just said God “exalted” Jesus (Acts 2:33); the same power that raised and enthroned Christ will complete the victory (Philippians 2:9-11). - Because the Father undertakes the task, the outcome is guaranteed. Our calling is to trust, obey, and proclaim, not to fret over the outcome. Your enemies - The “enemies” include every force opposing Christ—sin, death, Satan, rebellious nations, unbelief (Colossians 2:15; Revelation 19:19-21). - At Pentecost Peter applies the term to those who rejected Jesus (Acts 2:36). Yet many listening became friends rather than foes through repentance and faith (Acts 2:41). - This reminds us that today’s adversary could become tomorrow’s worshiper; Christ conquers either by saving grace or final judgment. A footstool - In the ancient Near East, a conquered king might be made to kneel so the victor could place a foot on his neck (Joshua 10:24). Calling enemies a “footstool” pictures total subjugation—no threat remains. - Hebrews 1:13 repeats the promise to emphasize the Son’s superiority over angels, and Luke 20:42-43 shows Jesus applying it to Himself during His earthly ministry. - The image comforts believers: whatever looms large now will one day be under Christ’s feet—completely. For Your feet - The focus lands on the Messiah’s personal authority: the Father will arrange everything “for Your feet.” - Ephesians 1:20-22 says God “placed all things under His feet and appointed Him as head over everything for the church,” so Christ’s supremacy directly benefits His people. - Matthew 28:18 assures us that “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me,” meaning His commission rests on finished authority even while the final display is pending. - When the appointed moment arrives, the unseen reality will become visible: “Yet at present we do not see everything subject to Him” (Hebrews 2:8), but we soon will. summary Acts 2:35 promises that the risen, ascended Jesus reigns now, awaiting the Father’s decisive act of placing every enemy under His feet. The timing is certain, the victory is God’s work, the enemies are real yet defeatable, the conquest will be total, and the outcome magnifies Christ’s glory while securing the church’s hope. |