Devine Scripture

Acts 4:28

What does Acts 4:28 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 4:28 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 4:28 means

The believers further acknowledged God's sovereign hand in the events surrounding Jesus' crucifixion, stating that Herod, Pilate, the Gentiles, and Israel had gathered "to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel foreordained to come to pass." They understood that even these acts of human rebellion and evil were ultimately within the scope of God's divine plan, not thwarting it, but rather fulfilling His predetermined purpose for Christ's redemptive work. This was a profound statement of faith in God's ultimate control.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

to do whatsoever thy hand and thy council foreordained to come to pass.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

to do whatsoever thy hand and thy council foreordained to come to pass.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

To do that which had been fixed before by your hand and your purpose.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

to do whatever Thy hand and Thy counsel did determine before to come to pass.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

To do what thy hand and thy counsel decreed to be done.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

to do whatever thy hand and thy counsel had determined before should come to pass.

Context

This verse provides a profound theological climax to the believers' reflection on the crucifixion, underscoring God's ultimate sovereignty. It naturally follows their identification of the key players in Jesus' death, offering a divine perspective on those events. This declaration establishes a foundation for their subsequent prayer for boldness, recognizing that if God's will was accomplished even in Christ's death, it would also be in their ministry.

v.27for of a truth in this city against thy holy Servant Jesus, whom thou didst anoint, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, were gathered together,

v.28This passage

v.29And now, Lord, look upon their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants to speak thy word with all boldness,

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 22:22

    For the Son of man indeed goeth, as it hath been determined: but woe unto that man through whom he is betrayed!

  • Isaiah 53:10

    Yet it pleased Jehovah to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of Jehovah shall prosper in his hand.

  • 1 Peter 2:7

    For you therefore that believe is the preciousness: but for such as disbelieve, The stone which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the corner;

  • Ephesians 1:11

    in whom also we were made a heritage, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his will;

  • Luke 24:44

    And he said unto them, These are my words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must needs be fulfilled, which are written in the law of Moses, and the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me.

  • Hebrews 6:17

    Wherein God, being minded to show more abundantly unto the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, interposed with an oath;

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