But whenever the prophetic Spirit speaks of things that are to come as already having come to pass, as may be seen in the passages already cited, we will explain this too, lest it furnish an excuse to those who read. Things that are altogether known to be going to happen, it foretells as already having happened; and that they must be understood in this way, fix your mind upon what is said. David spoke the things foretold a thousand five hundred years before Christ became man and was crucified, and none of those born before him who was crucified gave joy to the nations — nor indeed any of those after him. But our Jesus Christ, having been crucified and having died, rose again, and reigned after ascending into heaven; and over the things proclaimed by him through the apostles among all the nations there is joy for those who await the incorruption announced by him.