Discovery BoxActs 2:23-24 
Context2:23 this man, who was handed over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you executed 1 by nailing him to a cross at the hands of Gentiles. 2 2:24 But God raised him up, 3 having released 4 him from the pains 5 of death, because it was not possible for him to be held in its power. 6
1 tn Or “you killed.”
2 tn Grk “at the hands of lawless men.” At this point the term ἄνομος (anomo") refers to non-Jews who live outside the Jewish (Mosaic) law, rather than people who broke any or all laws including secular laws. Specifically it is a reference to the Roman soldiers who carried out Jesus’ crucifixion.
3 tn Grk “Whom God raised up.”
4 tn Or “having freed.”
5 sn The term translated pains is frequently used to describe pains associated with giving birth (see Rev 12:2). So there is irony here in the mixed metaphor.
6 tn Or “for him to be held by it” (in either case, “it” refers to death’s power).
