Acts 4:26 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed’ —

NIV: The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one. ’

NASB: THE KINGS OF THE EARTH TOOK THEIR STAND, AND THE RULERS WERE GATHERED TOGETHER AGAINST THE Lord AND AGAINST HIS CHRIST.’

CSB: The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers assemble together against the Lord and against his Messiah.

NLT: The kings of the earth prepared for battle; the rulers gathered together against the Lord and against his Messiah.’

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

NKJV: The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together Against the Lord and against His Christ.’

The church leaders in Jerusalem continue their prayer, acknowledging God's sovereignty. The quote is from Psalm 2:2 and continues the passage from Acts 4:25. Although the writer of Psalm 2 must have had other kings and rulers in mind, the group praying here is thinking of Herod Antipas and Pontius Pilate.

Pontius Pilate was the governor of Judea. The chief priests and other members of the Sanhedrin arrested and condemned Jesus to death, but they did not want to kill Him themselves because they didn't want the people to rebel against them (Luke 22:66–71; Mark 12:12), not to mention that they did not have the legal right to execution since they were under Roman rule. So, they brought Jesus to Pilate and accused Jesus of treason against the emperor because He claimed to be king (John 19:12). Pilate had no context since Jesus was from Galilee, on the other side of Samaria. He sent Jesus to Herod Antipas, ruler of Galilee, who happened to be in town for the Passover (Luke 23:6–16). Herod Antipas knew Jesus from Galilee and because of his association with John the Baptist, whom Antipas had killed (Mark 6:14–29).

The people praying in the room are well aware that they will face persecution. Jesus specifically stated that if the world hates Him, they will hate His followers (John 15:18–21). In the week before the crucifixion, Jesus told His disciples, "They will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake" (Luke 21:12). But He also said that this is their opportunity to fulfill His statement in Acts 1:8 (see Luke 21:13–19). The Holy Spirit will give them guidance, and they will bear witness to Jesus in front of these rulers (Matthew 10:16–20).

It is by setting themselves against God and Jesus, and arresting Jesus' followers, that the kings and rulers will hear how they can be reconciled to God. Some of them even listen (Acts 6:7).

Acts 4:23–31 finds the Jesus-followers praying for boldness in the face of persecution. Jesus promised them they would see serious persecution (Matthew 10:16–25), but this is the first time they've experienced it directly. Peter and John already told the Sanhedrin they will follow God, not their earthly commands (Acts 4:19–20). They now return to the other Jesus-followers to let them know what's coming. The group affirms that everything that happened to Jesus was according to God's sovereign plan, and they pray that they will remain as faithful in their own trials.

Acts 4 continues the story started in Acts 3. Peter and John have healed a man born lame and preached that Jesus has risen from the dead. The Sanhedrin orders their arrest for teaching the resurrection. The Jewish officials warn Peter and John to stop speaking in Jesus' name. Peter and John refuse, but, since they have committed no crime, the Sanhedrin releases them. Peter and John return to their friends, and the Jesus-followers pray for boldness in the face of growing persecution. The church continues to grow, sharing all their possessions so that no one is in need.

Acts 4 gives the first hints of the persecution the church will face throughout its history. Peter and John attract attention when Peter heals a well-known lame beggar, and Peter uses the publicity to tell others about Christ. The Sanhedrin cannot allow the apostles to continue teaching Jesus rose from the dead. They arrest, warn, and free Peter and John, but it's just the beginning. Soon, they will arrest and beat all the apostles (Acts 5:17–42). Then a mob will stone Stephen (Acts 7:54–60). And Saul will persecute Jesus-followers in Jerusalem (Acts 8:1–3) and beyond (Acts 9:1–2). The Sanhedrin fails to realize—if you send Jesus-followers fleeing into the world, they will take Jesus' message with them.

The summary of the book of Acts is provided in Jesus' words in Acts 1:8: ''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'' In Acts 2:1–13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14—7:60 describes the rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. Chapters 8—12 find Jewish persecution inadvertently spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. And in chapters 13—28, Paul and his companions spread the good news throughout the Roman Empire.