Logos Bible Study

Acts 4:25–28

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4:25who said by the Holy Spirit through58 your servant David our forefather,59

‘Why do the nations60 rage,61

and the peoples plot foolish62 things?

4:26The kings of the earth stood together,63

and the rulers assembled together,

against the Lord and against his64 Christ.’65

4:27“For indeed both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, assembled together in this city against66 your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed,674:28to do as much as your power68 and your plan69 had decided beforehand70 would happen.

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Footnotes

  1. 58 Grk “by the mouth of” (an idiom).
  2. 59 Or “ancestor”; Grk “father.”
  3. 60 Or “Gentiles.”
  4. 61 The Greek word translated rage includes not only anger but opposition, both verbal and nonverbal. See L&N 88.185.
  5. 62 Or “futile”; traditionally, “vain.”
  6. 63 Traditionally, “The kings of the earth took their stand.”
  7. 64 Or “Messiah”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.” See the note on Christ in .
  8. 65 A quotation from Ps 2:1–2.
  9. 66 The application of Ps 2:1–2 is that Jews and Gentiles are opposing Jesus. The surprise of the application is that Jews are now found among the enemies of God’s plan.
  10. 67 A wordplay on “Christ,” v. 26, which means “one who has been anointed.”
  11. 68 Grk “hand,” here a metaphor for God’s strength or power or authority.
  12. 69 Or “purpose,” “will.”
  13. 70 Or “had predestined.” Since the term “predestine” is something of a technical theological term, not in wide usage in contemporary English, the translation “decide beforehand” was used instead (see L&N 30.84). God’s direction remains as the major theme.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit,

“ ‘Why did the Gentiles rage,

and the peoples plot in vain?

The kings of the earth set themselves,

and the rulers were gathered together,

against the Lord and against his Anointed’—

for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:

“ ‘Why do the nations rage

and the peoples plot in vain?

The kings of the earth rise up

and the rulers band together

against the Lord

and against his anointed one.’

Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

You said through the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of our father David your servant:

Why do the Gentiles rage

and the peoples plot futile things?

The kings of the earth take their stand

and the rulers assemble together

against the Lord and against his Messiah.

“For, in fact, in this city both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, assembled together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, to do whatever your hand and your will had predestined to take place.

NLTNew Living Translation

you spoke long ago by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant, saying,

‘Why were the nations so angry?

Why did they waste their time with futile plans?

The kings of the earth prepared for battle;

the rulers gathered together

against the Lord

and against his Messiah.’

“In fact, this has happened here in this very city! For Herod Antipas, Pontius Pilate the governor, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were all united against Jesus, your holy servant, whom you anointed. But everything they did was determined beforehand according to your will.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

the one who said by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of our father David, your servant,

‘Why do the nations rage,

and the peoples conspire in vain?

The kings of the earth stood opposed,

and the rulers assembled together at the same place,

against the Lord and against his Christ.’

For in truth both Herod and Pontius Pilate, together with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, assembled together in this city against your holy servant Jesus whom you anointed, to do all that your hand and plan had predestined to take place.

KJV 1900King James Version

Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.