Acts 4:33

And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

And {G2532} with great {G3173} power {G1411} gave {G591} the apostles {G652} witness {G3142} of the resurrection {G386} of the Lord {G2962} Jesus {G2424}: and {G5037} great {G3173} grace {G5485} was {G2258} upon {G1909} them {G846} all {G3956}.

With great power the emissaries continued testifying to the resurrection of the Lord Yeshua, and they were all held in high regard.

With great power the apostles continued to give their testimony about the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And abundant grace was upon them all.

And with great power gave the apostles their witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

Acts 4:33 offers a profound summary of the early church's spiritual vitality and evangelistic fervor, immediately following a period of intense persecution and renewed empowerment by the Holy Spirit. It encapsulates the essence of their mission and the divine enablement behind it.

Context

This verse is situated within a vibrant narrative of the nascent Christian community in Jerusalem. Prior to this, Peter and John had miraculously healed a lame man at the Temple, leading to their arrest and a bold defense before the Sanhedrin (Acts 3:6-10, Acts 4:8-20). Upon their release, the entire community gathered in prayer, asking God for boldness to continue speaking His word despite threats. In response, the place where they were assembled was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, speaking the word of God with boldness (Acts 4:29-31). Verse 33 describes the powerful outcome and ongoing reality of this divine empowerment and communal unity.

Key Themes

  • Divine Empowerment for Witness: The phrase "with great power" underscores that the apostles' ability to testify was not merely human eloquence or conviction, but a supernatural endowment from God, specifically through the Holy Spirit. This power enabled them to perform signs and wonders and to speak with undeniable authority concerning Jesus Christ.
  • Centrality of the Resurrection: The core of the apostles' message was the "resurrection of the Lord Jesus." This was not just one doctrine among many, but the foundational truth that validated Jesus' claims as Messiah and Son of God, conquered sin and death, and offered hope of eternal life. Their entire ministry hinged on this historical and theological reality. As Paul later declared, if Christ is not risen, our faith is in vain.
  • Apostolic Testimony: The apostles' primary role was to be authoritative "witnesses" (Greek: martyres) to Christ's resurrection. They had seen Him alive after His crucifixion, and their firsthand accounts provided undeniable proof, even in the face of severe opposition. Their testimony was compelling and transformative.
  • Abundant Grace: "And great grace was upon them all" signifies God's overflowing favor, blessing, and empowering presence resting not just on the apostles, but on the entire community of believers. This grace manifested in their unity, generosity (as seen in the following verses regarding communal living, Acts 4:34-35), and their collective ability to live out their faith powerfully in the world.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Power" (Greek: dynamis - δύναμις): This term implies inherent strength, ability, or miraculous power. It's the root of the English word "dynamite," suggesting an explosive, potent force. In Acts, dynamis is frequently associated with the Holy Spirit's enablement for ministry and miraculous works, distinguishing divine power from human capability.
  • "Witness" (Greek: martyria or martys - μαρτυρία/μάρτυς): This word carries the sense of giving testimony based on personal experience, often with the implication of suffering or even death for that testimony (hence "martyr"). The apostles were eyewitnesses, and their proclamation was a bold, personal declaration of truth.
  • "Grace" (Greek: charis - χάρις): Beyond mere favor, charis encompasses God's unmerited divine influence on the heart, and its reflection in life. Here, "great grace" points to the abundant, pervasive favor of God that empowered the community, fostered their unity, and made their witness effective.

Practical Application

Acts 4:33 remains profoundly relevant for believers today. It reminds us that authentic Christian witness is not dependent on human charisma or clever arguments, but on the power of the Holy Spirit. Our message must remain centered on the resurrection of Jesus Christ, as it is the foundation of our hope and salvation. Furthermore, the "great grace" upon them all highlights the importance of the church as a community. When God's grace abounds within a unified body of believers, it enables powerful witness, fosters genuine fellowship, and equips them to live out their faith effectively in a challenging world. We are called to be bold witnesses, relying on God's power and grace, just as the early apostles did.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • John 1:16

    And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

  • Acts 1:8

    But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

  • Acts 1:22

    Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

  • Romans 15:18

    For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,

  • Romans 15:19

    Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

  • Acts 4:30

    By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

  • Luke 2:52

    And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

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