Acts 4:24

KJV

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:

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} when they heard that {G191}, they lifted up {G142} their voice {G5456} to {G4314} God {G2316} with one accord {G3661}, and {G2532} said {G2036}, Lord {G1203}, thou {G4771} art God {G2316}, which {G3588} hast made {G4160} heaven {G3772}, and {G2532} earth {G1093}, and {G2532} the sea {G2281}, and {G2532} all {G3956} that in {G1722} them is {G846}:

Complete Jewish Bible

When they heard it, they raised their voices to God with singleness of heart. “Master,” they prayed, “You made heaven, earth, the sea and everything in them.

Berean Standard Bible

When the believers heard this, they lifted up their voices to God with one accord. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “You made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them.

American Standard Version

And 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:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 4:24 captures a profound moment of unified prayer within the early Christian community, revealing their immediate and powerful response to the persecution faced by Peter and John. Upon hearing the report of the Sanhedrin's threats, the believers did not succumb to fear or strategize human solutions but turned collectively and fervently to God, affirming His supreme authority and sovereign power as the Creator of all things, laying a foundational theological premise for their subsequent petitions.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This pivotal verse follows the dramatic events of Peter and John's arrest and interrogation by the Sanhedrin. Having healed a lame man at the Beautiful Gate ([Acts 3:6](/acts/3-6 "Acts 3:6 - Healing of the Lame Man")), Peter seized the opportunity to boldly proclaim Jesus as the Christ and call the people to repentance ([Acts 3:12-26](/acts/3-12-26 "Acts 3:12-26 - Peter's Second Sermon")). This public declaration, coupled with the healing, provoked the Jewish authorities, leading to the apostles' apprehension ([Acts 4:1-4](/acts/4-1-4 "Acts 4:1-4 - Peter and John Arrested")). Despite threats and commands not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus, Peter and John resolutely declared their commitment to [obey God rather than men](/acts/4-19-20 "Acts 4:19-20 - Peter and John's Declaration") ([Acts 4:19-20](/acts/4-19-20 "Acts 4:19-20 - Peter and John's Declaration")). Upon their release, they returned to their fellow believers and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said. It is in response to this report of official opposition that the entire community, "with one accord," lifts their voice in prayer, setting the stage for the powerful demonstration of God's presence and power that follows in [Acts 4:31](/acts/4-31 "Acts 4:31 - The Place Was Shaken").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The early Christian community in Jerusalem was predominantly Jewish, operating within a society governed by Roman authority but deeply influenced by Jewish religious law and tradition. The Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish judicial and ecclesiastical council, held significant power, especially in matters of religious observance and public order. Their command to Peter and John was not a mere suggestion but a serious legal injunction, backed by the implicit threat of further punishment. For the early believers, acknowledging God as the "Creator of heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is" was a direct affirmation of the monotheistic God of Israel, a concept deeply ingrained in Jewish theology (cf. [Genesis 1:1](/genesis/1-1 "Genesis 1:1 - God Creates the Heavens and the Earth")). This declaration served as a theological counter-narrative to the earthly powers threatening them, asserting God's ultimate sovereignty over all human institutions and the entire cosmos. The unified nature of their prayer also reflects a characteristic of the nascent church, often described as being "with one accord" ([Acts 2:46](/acts/2-46 "Acts 2:46 - Daily Devotion and Unity")), highlighting their communal identity and shared spiritual purpose in a potentially hostile environment.

* **Key Themes:** The prayer in [Acts 4:24](/acts/4-24 "Acts 4:24 - The Believers' Prayer") powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Acts and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores **God's Absolute Sovereignty**. By addressing God as "Lord" (Despotes) and acknowledging Him as the Creator of the entire cosmos, the believers assert His ultimate authority over all creation, including the human authorities who opposed them. This declaration forms the bedrock of their faith and confidence in the face of adversity, echoing themes found throughout the Psalms (e.g., [Psalm 2:4](/psalms/2-4 "Psalm 2:4 - The Lord Laughs at the Kings")). Secondly, the phrase "with one accord" highlights the **Unity of the Early Church**. This unity is not merely organizational but spiritual, reflecting a shared mind and purpose in their devotion and response to challenges. This collective harmony is a recurring motif in Acts, demonstrating the Spirit's work in binding believers together (e.g., [Acts 2:1](/acts/2-1 "Acts 2:1 - The Day of Pentecost")). Finally, the passage exemplifies **Prayer as the Primary Response to Persecution**. Instead of resorting to fear, anger, or human strategizing, the community's immediate and instinctual reaction is to turn to God in fervent, corporate prayer. This demonstrates their profound reliance on divine power and their conviction that God is actively involved in their circumstances, a theme consistent with the church's reliance on the Holy Spirit throughout Acts (e.g., [Acts 1:14](/acts/1-14 "Acts 1:14 - Disciples United in Prayer")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Lord (Greek, _despótēs'_):** This term signifies an absolute ruler or master, highlighting God's unchallenged authority and sovereign power. Unlike _kyrios_ (Lord), which can be a general term of respect, _despótēs_ emphasizes God's ultimate dominion and ownership over all creation and all human affairs. The believers use this title to acknowledge God as the supreme Master, over and above any earthly rulers or institutions that might seek to oppose His will.
* **with one accord (Greek, _homothymadón'_):** This adverb literally means "with one passion" or "with one mind." It denotes a remarkable unity of spirit, purpose, and will among the believers. This is not merely a physical gathering but a profound spiritual alignment, indicating that their prayer was not a collection of individual petitions but a single, harmonious outpouring of collective faith and devotion. This word frequently appears in Acts to describe the early church's unity in various activities, from prayer to evangelism.
* **hast made (Greek, _poiéō'_):** This verb is broad in its meaning, encompassing "to make," "to do," or "to create." In this context, it specifically refers to God's act of creation, emphasizing His role as the ultimate originator and sustainer of the cosmos. By affirming that God "hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is," the believers declare His omnipotence and His foundational authority over all existence, directly contrasting it with the limited power of the Sanhedrin.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when they heard that":** This phrase immediately connects the community's prayer to the preceding narrative. "That" refers to the report of Peter and John regarding their interrogation by the Sanhedrin, including the threats and the command not to speak in Jesus' name. This highlights the prayer as a direct, unified response to external pressure and opposition.
* **"they lifted up their voice to God with one accord":** This describes the collective and harmonious nature of their prayer. "Lifted up their voice" implies a loud, fervent, and possibly simultaneous utterance, indicating deep earnestness and passion. The crucial phrase "with one accord" (homothymadon) underscores the spiritual unity and shared purpose of the entire assembly, demonstrating a powerful communal faith in the face of adversity. Their focus is directed "to God," signifying their immediate and complete reliance on divine intervention rather than human strategy.
* **"and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is":** This constitutes the opening declaration of their prayer, a profound theological affirmation. Addressing God as "Lord" (Despotes), they acknowledge His absolute mastery. They then immediately assert His identity as the Creator of the entire cosmos—"heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is." This comprehensive description of creation (a merism) emphasizes God's omnipotence and universal sovereignty, establishing the theological basis for their subsequent requests and underscoring that the God they pray to is infinitely more powerful than any earthly authority.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices. **Apostrophe** is prominently featured as the believers directly address God ("Lord, thou art God"), engaging in a personal and fervent appeal to the divine. The phrase "lifted up their voice" is a form of **Hyperbole**, conveying not just a literal raising of vocal volume but the intense, unified, and passionate nature of their corporate prayer. It emphasizes the collective spiritual energy and earnestness of the moment. Furthermore, the comprehensive description of creation—"heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is"—is a classic example of **Merism**. This device uses two or more contrasting or complementary parts to represent a whole, signifying the totality of God's creation and, by extension, His absolute and unchallenged sovereignty over every aspect of existence. This literary choice powerfully reinforces the theological foundation of their prayer.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 4:24 serves as a profound theological declaration, asserting God's absolute sovereignty as Creator over all things, including human authorities and their attempts to suppress His will. This foundational truth empowers the early church to face persecution not with fear, but with unwavering faith and boldness. Their immediate and unified turning to God in prayer demonstrates a deep understanding that true power and ultimate authority reside solely with the Almighty. This passage highlights that a robust theology of creation directly impacts one's response to adversity, fostering trust in God's ability to intervene and work His purposes even amidst opposition. It underscores the vital role of corporate prayer as an expression of communal faith and reliance on God's omnipotence.

* [Psalm 146:5-6](/psalms/146-5-6 "Psalm 146:5-6 - God as Creator and Helper")
* [Matthew 18:19-20](/matthew/18-19-20 "Matthew 18:19-20 - Power of Corporate Prayer")
* [Nehemiah 9:6](/nehemiah/9-6 "Nehemiah 9:6 - God as Sole Creator")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 4:24 offers a timeless and powerful model for believers and the church today. In a world often marked by uncertainty, opposition, or even direct persecution, our first and most instinctual response should be to turn to God in unified prayer, just as the early church did. This passage challenges us to move beyond human strategizing or succumbing to fear, and instead to anchor our hope and trust in the absolute sovereignty of God, who is the Creator of all things and therefore holds ultimate power over every circumstance. It also underscores the immense strength and spiritual encouragement found in corporate prayer, reminding us that there is profound power when believers come together with "one accord" to seek God's face and declare His dominion. This passage calls us to cultivate a deep theological conviction in God's omnipotence, allowing it to shape our perspective and response to every challenge we encounter, knowing that no earthly power can thwart His divine plan.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I typically respond when faced with challenges or opposition to my faith, and how might the example of the early church in Acts 4:24 reshape my initial reaction?**
* **In what ways can my community of faith cultivate greater unity in prayer, especially during difficult times, to experience the kind of "one accord" demonstrated here?**
* **How does acknowledging God as the Creator of "heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is" impact my trust in His power over my personal circumstances and the broader challenges facing the world?**

### FAQ
**Why did the early believers immediately turn to prayer instead of other actions?**

Answer: The early believers immediately turned to prayer because it was a deeply ingrained spiritual discipline and a natural expression of their profound theological understanding of God's absolute sovereignty. They recognized that human efforts alone were insufficient against the formidable opposition of the Sanhedrin. Their prior experiences of God's miraculous intervention and the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit had cultivated a deep reliance on divine power. Prayer was not a last resort but their primary, instinctual response, demonstrating their conviction that God was actively involved and ultimately in control, as evidenced by their devotion to "the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayers" ([Acts 2:42](/acts/2-42 "Acts 2:42 - The Early Church's Devotion to Prayer")).

**What is the significance of the phrase "with one accord"?**

Answer: The phrase "with one accord" (Greek: _homothymadón_) is highly significant and a recurring motif in the book of Acts. It signifies a remarkable spiritual unity and shared purpose, indicating that the believers were not merely physically present together but were united in mind, spirit, and will. This collective harmony underscores the strength and authenticity of their faith, demonstrating that their prayer was a powerful, unified appeal to God, not just a collection of individual petitions. This unity was a hallmark of the early church's life and mission, enabling them to stand together in the face of adversity and to experience God's power collectively, as seen in their daily devotion and shared meals ([Acts 2:46](/acts/2-46 "Acts 2:46 - Daily Devotion and Unity")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The early church's declaration of God as the sovereign Creator in [Acts 4:24](/acts/4-24 "Acts 4:24 - The Believers' Prayer") finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. The "Lord" (Despotes) whom they address is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the creative power they ascribe to God is fully manifested and mediated through the Son. The New Testament consistently reveals that [all things were created through Christ and for Him](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - Christ as Creator"), affirming His pre-existence and active role in bringing "heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is" into being ([John 1:1-3](/john/1-1-3 "John 1:1-3 - The Word as Creator"); [Colossians 1:15-17](/colossians/1-15-17 "Colossians 1:15-17 - Christ's Supremacy in Creation"); [Hebrews 1:2](/hebrews/1-2 "Hebrews 1:2 - God Speaks Through His Son")). Therefore, the absolute sovereignty they acknowledge in God the Father is inherently Christ's sovereignty, for [all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus"). Their prayer for boldness to speak God's word, despite opposition, is a Spirit-empowered continuation of Christ's own mission, as He commissioned His disciples to be His witnesses "to the end of the earth" ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - The Great Commission")). Thus, the early church's confident appeal to the Creator God is a Christ-centered act of faith, trusting in the one who is not only the agent of creation but also the reigning Lord who ultimately triumphs over all earthly powers and whose kingdom will have no end ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Christ's Exaltation and Lordship")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 20:11

For [in] six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them [is], and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

Jeremiah 32:17

Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, [and] there is nothing too hard for thee:

Nehemiah 9:6

Thou, [even] thou, [art] LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all [things] that [are] therein, the seas, and all that [is] therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.

Jeremiah 10:10

But the LORD [is] the true God, he [is] the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.

Jeremiah 10:12

He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.

2 Kings 19:15

And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said, O LORD God of Israel, which dwellest [between] the cherubims, thou art the God, [even] thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth.

Psalms 146:5

¶ Happy [is he] that [hath] the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope [is] in the LORD his God: