Act 4:24-30 | NETfull | STEP | When they heard this, they raised their voices to God with one mind and said, “Master of all, you who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and everything that is in them,

Acts 4:24-30

24 When they heard this, they raised their voices to God with one mind ^{▼▼ With one mind. Compare Acts 1:14.} and said, “Master of all, ^{▼▼ Or “Lord of all.”} ^{▼▼ The use of the title Master of all (δεσπότης, despotēs) emphasizes that there is a sovereign God who is directing what is taking place.} you who made the heaven, the earth, ^{▼▼ Grk “and the earth, and the sea,” but καί (kai) has not been translated before “the earth” and “the sea” since contemporary English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.} the sea, and everything that is in them, 25 who said by the Holy Spirit through ^{▼▼ Grk “by the mouth of” (an idiom).} your servant David our forefather, ^{▼▼ Or “ancestor”; Grk “father.”}

‘ Why do the nations ^{▼▼ Or “Gentiles.”} rage, ^{▼▼ The Greek word translated rage includes not only anger but opposition, both verbal and nonverbal. See L&N 88.185.}
and the peoples plot foolish ^{▼▼ Or “futile”; traditionally, “vain.”} things?
26 The kings of the earth stood together, ^{▼▼ Traditionally, “The kings of the earth took their stand.”}
and the rulers assembled together,
against the Lord and against his ^{▼▼ Or “Messiah”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.”} ^{▼▼ See the note on Christ in 2:31.} Christ. ’ ^{▼▼ A quotation from Ps 2:1–2.}
27 “For indeed both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, assembled together in this city against ^{▼▼ 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.} your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, ^{▼▼ A wordplay on “Christ,” v. 26, which means “one who has been anointed.”} 28 to do as much as your power ^{▼▼ Grk “hand,” here a metaphor for God’s strength or power or authority.} and your plan ^{▼▼ Or “purpose,” “will.”} had decided beforehand ^{▼▼ 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.} would happen. 29 And now, Lord, pay attention to ^{▼▼ Or “Lord, take notice of.”} their threats, and grant ^{▼▼ Grant to your servants to speak your message with great courage. The request is not for a stop to persecution or revenge on the opponents, but for boldness (great courage) to carry out the mission of proclaiming the message of what God is doing through Jesus.} to your servants ^{▼▼ Grk “slaves.” See the note on the word “servants” in 2:18.} to speak your message ^{▼▼ Grk “word.”} with great courage, ^{▼▼ Or “with all boldness.”} 30 while you extend your hand to heal, and to bring about miraculous signs ^{▼▼ The miraculous nature of these signs is implied in the context.} and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”