King James Version

What Does Acts 4:24 Mean?

Acts 4:24 in the King James Version says “And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast ma... — study this verse from Acts chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:

Acts 4:24 · KJV


Context

22

For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.

23

And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.

24

And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:

25

Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?

26

The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The united prayer - 'they lifted up their voice to God with one accord' - demonstrates church's first response to persecution: corporate intercession, not human strategy. The Greek 'homothumadon' (one accord) indicates unanimous purpose and spirit. Their address 'Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is' grounds prayer in divine sovereignty - the Creator controls creation, including threatening authorities.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This prayer quotes Exodus 20:11 and Psalm 146:6, grounding current crisis in God's eternal power as Creator and covenant-keeper. Early church's liturgical prayer life drew heavily from Psalms and Torah, showing continuity with Israel while recognizing Christ's fulfillment of promises.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does beginning prayer by acknowledging God's sovereignty prepare hearts to accept His will?
  2. What does 'one accord' prayer reveal about unity's source - theological agreement producing relational harmony?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 30 words
τὰ1 of 30

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δὲ2 of 30

And

G1161

but, and, etc

ἀκούσαντες3 of 30

when they heard that

G191

to hear (in various senses)

ὁμοθυμαδὸν4 of 30

with one accord

G3661

unanimously

ἦραν5 of 30

they lifted up

G142

to lift up; by implication, to take up or away; figuratively, to raise (the voice), keep in suspense (the mind), specially, to sail away (i.e., weigh

φωνὴν6 of 30

their voice

G5456

a tone (articulate, bestial or artificial); by implication, an address (for any purpose), saying or language

πρὸς7 of 30

to

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

τὰ8 of 30

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Θεὸς9 of 30

God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

καὶ10 of 30

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

εἶπον,11 of 30

said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

Δέσποτα12 of 30

Lord

G1203

an absolute ruler ("despot")

σὺ13 of 30

thou

G4771

thou

τὰ14 of 30

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Θεὸς15 of 30

God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

τὰ16 of 30

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ποιήσας17 of 30

hast made

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

τὰ18 of 30

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

οὐρανὸν19 of 30

heaven

G3772

the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)

καὶ20 of 30

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τὰ21 of 30

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

γῆν22 of 30

earth

G1093

soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)

καὶ23 of 30

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τὰ24 of 30

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θάλασσαν25 of 30

the sea

G2281

the sea (genitive case or specially)

καὶ26 of 30

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

πάντα27 of 30

all

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

τὰ28 of 30

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐν29 of 30

that in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

αὐτοῖς30 of 30

them is

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 4:24 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 4:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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