Expert: Dean Gade - 3/28/2007

Question
This is a phrase found in the Apostles' Creed, and in the KJV translation of 1 Peter 4:5 and Acts 10:42.

"Quick" has the archaic meaning of "living" as opposed to dead.

More recent Bible translations render these verses as "living and dead"

My question is whether the word in Greek translated as "quick" would refer to human embryos and fetuses in addition  to children and adults.

Answer
The Greek word is from "Zao" which is one of the many common words for  "living" that are in the NT.  

Another of these is "Dzoa" is the word most often used when the Bible speaks of people who were spiritualy dead being brought to life by the Holy Spirit.  

A better passage to show not only life but also spiritual understanding in the womb is the one of the yet unborn John the Baptist leaping for joy  at the nearness of the yet unborn Jesus:

Luke 1:41-44
41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
(from New International Version)

Notice that Elizabeth was "inspired" as she told what happened in her womb.