Acts 4:25
What does Acts 4:25 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 4:25 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 4:25 means
The believers continued their prayer by quoting from Psalm 2, attributing the prophetic words to their "father David" and acknowledging that David spoke "by the Holy Spirit." This psalm addressed the raging of the Gentiles and the vain imaginations of the peoples against the Lord and His Anointed. By quoting this Scripture, they recognized their current persecution as a fulfillment of ancient prophecy, understanding that human opposition to Christ was foretold and ultimately futile.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000who by the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of our father David thy servant, didst say, Why did the Gentiles rage, And the peoples imagine vain things?
KJV
King James Version · 1611Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901who by the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of our father David thy servant, didst say, Why did the Gentiles rage, And the peoples imagine vain things?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Who has said, by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David your servant, Why are the nations so violently moved, and why are the thoughts of the people so foolish?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862who, through the mouth of David thy servant, did say, Why did nations rage, and peoples meditate vain things?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Who, by the Holy Ghost, by the mouth of our father David, thy servant, hast said: Why did the Gentiles rage: and the people meditate vain things?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890who hast said by the mouth of thy servant David, Why have [the] nations raged haughtily and [the] peoples meditated vain things?
Context
This verse continues the communal prayer, introducing a specific Old Testament prophecy from Psalm 2. It immediately follows their opening declaration of God's sovereignty, providing a biblical framework for understanding their present circumstances. This prophetic quotation establishes a theological basis for viewing persecution as part of God's sovereign plan, not as an unexpected crisis.
v.24And they, when they heard it, lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, O Lord, thou that didst make the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that in them is:
v.25This passage
v.26The kings of the earth set themselves in array, And the rulers were gathered together, Against the Lord, and against his Anointed:
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 1:16
Brethren, it was needful that the scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spake before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was guide to them that took Jesus.
- Psalms 2:1
Why do the nations rage, And the peoples meditate a vain thing?
- Acts 2:30
Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins he would set one upon his throne;
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