Acts 4:24

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:

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}:

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.

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.

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

Acts 4:24 captures a pivotal moment in 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 panic but turned unitedly to God in fervent prayer, affirming His supreme authority.

Context

This verse follows the release of Peter and John from arrest by the Sanhedrin. They had been apprehended after healing a lame man and boldly proclaiming Jesus as the Christ (Acts 3:6). Despite being commanded not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus, they declared their resolve to obey God rather than men (Acts 4:19-20). Returning to their fellow believers, they shared what had transpired, prompting this collective outpouring of faith and petition.

Key Themes

  • God's Absolute Sovereignty: The prayer begins by addressing God as "Lord" (Greek: Despotes), a term signifying absolute Master or Sovereign. They immediately acknowledge Him as the Creator of "heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is," a direct assertion of His ultimate power over all things, including the human authorities who had threatened them. This profound declaration of God's dominion serves as the foundation for their subsequent requests.
  • Unity in Prayer: The phrase "with one accord" (Greek: homothymadon) is a hallmark of the early church described in Acts. It emphasizes their complete unity, shared purpose, and harmonious spirit in approaching God. This collective agreement underscores the strength and authenticity of their faith in the face of adversity.
  • Reliance on Divine Power: Instead of strategizing human solutions or succumbing to fear, the community's first response is to seek God. Their prayer is not a request for escape from suffering, but an affirmation of God's power to act within their circumstances, demonstrating profound trust.

Linguistic Insights

The term "Lord" here is Despotes (δεσπότης), which conveys a sense of absolute mastership or sovereign power, distinct from Kyrios (κύριος), which can simply mean 'sir' or 'master'. This choice of word highlights the believers' understanding of God's unchallenged authority over all creation and all earthly rulers. The phrase "with one accord" is homothymadon (ὁμοθυμαδόν), appearing frequently in Acts to describe the early church's remarkable unity and shared spirit, whether in prayer, evangelism, or fellowship.

Practical Application

Acts 4:24 provides a powerful model for believers today. When facing opposition, challenges, or uncertainty, our primary response should be to turn to God in prayer, remembering His supreme power as Creator and Sovereign. It also highlights the strength and encouragement found in corporate prayer and unity within the Christian community. This passage encourages us to place our trust in God's omnipotence, knowing that no earthly power can thwart His ultimate plan.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 20:11 (28 votes)

    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 (24 votes)

    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 (16 votes)

    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 (8 votes)

    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 (8 votes)

    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 (7 votes)

    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 (7 votes)

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