King James Version
What Does Acts 4:25 Mean?
“Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?”
Context
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.
27
For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
Commentary
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers(25) **Who by the mouth of thy servant David **. . . .—The older MSS. present many variations of the text. It probably stood originally somewhat in this form: “Who through the Holy Ghost, by the mouth of David our father, thy servant,” and was simplified by later copyists. In the citation from Psalms 2 we have another lesson from the Apostles’ school of prophetic interpretation. The Psalm is not cited in the Gospels. Here what seems to us the most striking verse (Acts 4:7) of it is passed over, and it does not appear as referred to Christ till we find it in Hebrews 1:5; Hebrews 5:5.
**Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine . . .?**—Neither noun has the article in the Greek or in the Hebrew. *Why did nations rage and peoples imagine* *. . .?* The word for “rage” is primarily applied to animal ferocity, especially to that of untamed horses.
Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.
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 4:25 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 4:25
Cross-references from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge