Keraia
Acts 4

Acts 4:25

The Believers’ Prayer · Acts 4:23–31
Read Acts 4

Translations

Modern
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?
Traditional
Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?
Literal
…having spoken by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of Your servant, our father David: ‘Why did the Gentiles rage and the peoples devise vain things?
Latin
…qui Spiritu Sancto per os patris nostri David pueri tui dixisti: Quare fremuerunt gentes, et populi meditati sunt inania?

Interlinear

Greek
English
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?

Notes

Acts 4:25–26

This passage quotes Psalm 2:1–2, which describes how the Gentile (non-Jewish) nations react to the Lord’s anointed king. Similarly, the Jews and Gentiles in Jerusalem had gathered together against Jesus and now against his followers.

Acts 4:23–31

The believers heard the report that their leaders had been threatened and commanded never again to speak about Jesus (4:18). The Christian movement was clearly under attack from the religious authorities, so they united in prayer. They turned to God, sharing their troubles and asking for courage to speak the message. They also asked God to send signs and wonders to confirm that the message was true. God answered their request in a clear and powerful way.

Events

Parallels

Psalm 2:1–12

People

David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ

Glossary

Book of the Acts of the Apostles Courts and Trials David Peter, the Apostle Psalms, Book of Ruler

Topics

David: King of Israel: David As Prophet The Holy Spirit: is God: Being Invoked As Jehovah Vanity: Evil People: Imagine Vanity: The Wicked: Imagine