The Meaning of Acts 4:24 Explained

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:

YLT: and they having heard, with one accord did lift up the voice unto God, and said, 'Lord, thou art God, who didst make the heaven, and the earth, and the sea, and all that are in them,

Darby: And they, having heard it, lifted up their voice with one accord to God, and said, Lord, thou art the God who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them;

ASV: 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:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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: 

What does Acts 4:24 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The reference in this verse to the work stopping indicates that at this point, the writer returned to the opposition he had been describing earlier ( Acts 4:1-5). Acts 4:6-23 are parenthetical. They record later events and simply illustrate the continuing antagonism of Israel"s enemies in the years that followed the main event in view in this chapter. [1]
Work on the temple ceased in536 B.C, as the writer noted here. The workers had only completed the foundation. Construction did not recommence until520 B.C, 16 years later.
"Even when they [2] strove to again lay the foundations of that most important symbol of the presence of God, their sanctuary, discouragement took its toll; and the whole project came to a complete stop for sixteen long years ( Ezra 4:24). Everything was wrong: they lacked the means, then the inclination, and finally even the will to build the temple; for their every attempt met with constant opposition both from within the small group and from the outside ( Ezra 3:12-13; Ezra 4:1-22). So it would have remained had not God graciously sent the prophets Haggai and Zechariah ( Ezra 5:1)." [3]

Context Summary

Acts 4:23-35 - Help From On High
Like draws to like; Judas went to his own place, and the Apostles to their own company. The best answer to threats is prayer. The Apostles' one petition just then was for boldness. They scorned to ask for their own safety; it was enough if Jesus was glorified.
What a note of jubilant triumph was in that glorious prayer, offered by this threatened little band! They realized that they were under the special protection of God, who had made the world, had spoken by the prophets, and was the Father of Jesus. They thought that more miracles of healing would promote their cause; but, though they did not realize it at the time, their unity, love, hope, willingness to share their goods, coupled with their intrepid bearing, were their most potent arguments. Notice that in their consciousness, it was God's hand that was being stretched out to heal, though their hands were the immediate channel of its beneficent operations. They had been filled before, but they were filled again. It is our privilege to claim repeated infillings to make good our leakage and evaporation. [source]

Chapter Summary: Acts 4

1  The rulers of the Jews, offended with Peter's sermon,
3  imprison him and John
5  After, upon examination
8  Peter boldly avouching the lame man to be healed by the name of Jesus,
11  and that only by the same Jesus we must be eternally saved,
13  they threaten him and John to preach no more in that name,
23  whereupon the church flees to prayer
31  And God, by moving the place where they were assembled, testifies that he heard their prayer;
34  confirming the church with the gift of the Holy Spirit, and with mutual love and charity

Greek Commentary for Acts 4:24

With one accord [ομοτυμαδον]
A concert of voices as already seen by the word in Acts 1:14; Acts 2:46 and later in Acts 5:12; Acts 7:57; Acts 15:25. [source]
O Lord [Δεσποτα]
Our word despot. Old word for relation of master to slaves or household servants (1 Timothy 6:1; 2 Timothy 2:21; Titus 2:9; 1 Peter 2:18). Simeon thus addressed God (Luke 2:29). So in 2 Peter 2:1; Judges 1:4; Revelation 6:10. See “slaves” in Acts 4:29. [source]
Lord [δέσποτα]
See on 2 Peter 2:1. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 4:24

Acts 5:12 With one accord [ομοτυμαδον]
As already in Acts 1:14; Acts 2:46; Acts 4:24 and later Acts 7:57; Acts 8:6; Acts 12:20; Acts 15:25; Acts 18:21; Acts 19:29, old adverb and only in Acts in the N.T. Here “all” is added. In Solomon‘s Porch again as in Acts 3:11 which see. [source]
1 Peter 2:18 Be in subjection [υποτασσομενοι]
Present middle participle of υποτασσω — hupotassō common late compound to subject oneself to one (Luke 2:51). Either the participle is here used as an imperative (so in 1 Peter 3:1, 1 Peter 3:7) as in Romans 12:16., or the imperative εστε — este has to be supplied (Robertson, Grammar, p. 945).To your masters (τοις δεσποταις — tois despotais). Dative case of δεσποτης — despotēs old word for absolute owner in contrast with δουλος — doulos It is used also of God (Luke 2:29; Acts 4:24, Acts 4:29) and of Christ (2 Peter 2:1; Judges 1:4). Κυριος — Kurios has a wider meaning and not necessarily suggesting absolute power.To the good and gentle Dative case also with the article with class. For επιεικης — epieikēs see note on James 3:17. There were slave-owners (masters) like this as there are housekeepers and employers of workmen today. This is no argument for slavery, but only a sidelight on a condition bad enough at its best.To the froward (τοις σκολιοις — tois skoliois). “To the crooked.” Old word, also in Luke 3:5; Acts 2:40; Philemon 2:15. Unfortunately there were slave-holders as there are employers today, like this group. The test of obedience comes precisely toward this group. [source]
1 Peter 2:18 To your masters [τοις δεσποταις]
Dative case of δεσποτης — despotēs old word for absolute owner in contrast with δουλος — doulos It is used also of God (Luke 2:29; Acts 4:24, Acts 4:29) and of Christ (2 Peter 2:1; Judges 1:4). Κυριος — Kurios has a wider meaning and not necessarily suggesting absolute power. [source]
2 Peter 2:1 The Lord [δεσπότην]
In most cases in the New Testament the word is rendered master, the Rev. changing lord to master in every case but two - Luke 2:29; Acts 4:24; and in both instances putting master in margin, and reserving lord for the rendering of κύριος . In three of these instances the word is used in direct address to God; and it may be asked why the Rev. changes Lord to Master in the text of Revelation 6:10, and retains Lord in Luke 2:29; Acts 4:24. In five out of the ten occurrences of the word in the New Testament it means master of the household. Originally, it indicates absolute, unrestricted authority, so that the Greeks refused the title to any but the gods. In the New Testament δεσπότης and κύριος are used interchangeably of God, and of masters of servants. [source]
2 Peter 2:1 False prophets also [και πσευδοπροπηται]
In contrast with the true prophets just pictured in 2 Peter 1:20. Late compound in lxx and Philo, common in N.T. (Matthew 7:15). Allusion to the O.T. times like Balaam and others (Jeremiah 6:13; Jeremiah 28:9; Ezekiel 13:9).False teachers (πσευδοδιδασκαλοι — pseudodidaskaloi). Late and rare compound (πσευδησ διδασκαλος — pseudēsεσονται — didaskalos) here alone in N.T. Peter pictures them as in the future here (εισιν — esontai shall be) and again as already present (επλανητησαν — eisin are, 2 Peter 2:17), or in the past (παρεισαχουσιν — eplanēthēsan they went astray, 2 Peter 2:15).Shall privily bring in Future active of παρεισαγω — pareisagō late double compound εισαγω — pareisagō to bring in Descriptive genitive, “heresies of destruction” (marked by destruction) as in Luke 16:8. αιρεω — Hairesis (from αρνουμενοι — haireō) is simply a choosing, a school, a sect like that of the Sadducees (Acts 5:17), of the Pharisees (Acts 15:5), and of Christians as Paul admitted (Acts 24:5). These “tenets” (Galatians 5:20) led to destruction.Denying Present middle participle of και τον δεσποτην — arneomai This the Gnostics did, the very thing that Peter did, alas (Matthew 26:70) even after Christ‘s words (Matthew 10:33).Even the Master (τον αγορασαντα αυτους — kai ton despotēn). Old word for absolute master, here of Christ as in Judges 1:4, and also of God (Acts 4:24). Without the evil sense in our “despot.”That bought them First aorist active articular participle of λυτροω — agorazō same idea with ταχινην απωλειαν — lutroō in 1 Peter 1:18. These were professing Christians, at any rate, these heretics.Swift destruction (ταχινην — tachinēn apōleian). See 2 Peter 1:14 for απωλειαν — tachinēn and note repetition of επαγοντες — apōleian This is always the tragedy of such false prophets, the fate that they bring on (epagontes) themselves. [source]
2 Peter 2:1 Even the Master [τον αγορασαντα αυτους]
Old word for absolute master, here of Christ as in Judges 1:4, and also of God (Acts 4:24). Without the evil sense in our “despot.” [source]
2 Peter 2:1 Shall privily bring in [παρεισαγω]
Future active of παρεισαγω — pareisagō late double compound εισαγω — pareisagō to bring in Descriptive genitive, “heresies of destruction” (marked by destruction) as in Luke 16:8. αιρεω — Hairesis (from αρνουμενοι — haireō) is simply a choosing, a school, a sect like that of the Sadducees (Acts 5:17), of the Pharisees (Acts 15:5), and of Christians as Paul admitted (Acts 24:5). These “tenets” (Galatians 5:20) led to destruction.Denying Present middle participle of και τον δεσποτην — arneomai This the Gnostics did, the very thing that Peter did, alas (Matthew 26:70) even after Christ‘s words (Matthew 10:33).Even the Master (τον αγορασαντα αυτους — kai ton despotēn). Old word for absolute master, here of Christ as in Judges 1:4, and also of God (Acts 4:24). Without the evil sense in our “despot.”That bought them First aorist active articular participle of λυτροω — agorazō same idea with ταχινην απωλειαν — lutroō in 1 Peter 1:18. These were professing Christians, at any rate, these heretics.Swift destruction (ταχινην — tachinēn apōleian). See 2 Peter 1:14 for απωλειαν — tachinēn and note repetition of επαγοντες — apōleian This is always the tragedy of such false prophets, the fate that they bring on (epagontes) themselves. [source]
2 Peter 2:1 Denying [αρνεομαι]
Present middle participle of και τον δεσποτην — arneomai This the Gnostics did, the very thing that Peter did, alas (Matthew 26:70) even after Christ‘s words (Matthew 10:33).Even the Master (τον αγορασαντα αυτους — kai ton despotēn). Old word for absolute master, here of Christ as in Judges 1:4, and also of God (Acts 4:24). Without the evil sense in our “despot.”That bought them First aorist active articular participle of λυτροω — agorazō same idea with ταχινην απωλειαν — lutroō in 1 Peter 1:18. These were professing Christians, at any rate, these heretics.Swift destruction (ταχινην — tachinēn apōleian). See 2 Peter 1:14 for απωλειαν — tachinēn and note repetition of επαγοντες — apōleian This is always the tragedy of such false prophets, the fate that they bring on (epagontes) themselves. [source]
Revelation 6:10 O Lord [ὁ δεσπότης]
See on 2 Peter 2:1. Only here in Revelation. Addressed to God rather than to Christ, and breathing, as Professor Milligan remarks, “the feeling of Old Testament rather than of New Testament relation.” Compare Acts 4:24; Judges 1:4. [source]
Revelation 6:10 O Master [ο δεσποτης]
Nominative articular form, but used as vocative On δεσποτης — despotēs (correlative of δουλος — doulos) see Luke 2:29. Here (alone in the Apocalypse) it is applied to God as in Luke 2:29; Acts 4:24, but to Christ in Judges 1:4; 2 Peter 2:1.The holy and true (ο αγιος και αλητινος — ho hagios kai alēthinos). See Revelation 3:7 for these attributes of God.Avenge our blood on them that dwell upon the earth This same idiom in Revelation 19:2 and see it also in Luke 18:7., “a passage which goes far to answer many questions in theodicy” (Swete). We find εκδικεω — ekdikeō late compound, used with εκ — ek as here in Deuteronomy 18:19; 1 Samuel 24:13, but with απο — apo in Luke 18:3. For επι της γης — epi tēs gēs (upon the earth) see Revelation 3:10. [source]

What do the individual words in Acts 4:24 mean?

- And having heard with one accord they lifted up [their] voice to - God and said Sovereign Lord You - made the heaven the earth sea all that [is] in them
οἱ δὲ ἀκούσαντες ὁμοθυμαδὸν ἦραν φωνὴν πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν καὶ εἶπαν Δέσποτα σὺ ποιήσας τὸν οὐρανὸν τὴν γῆν θάλασσαν πάντα τὰ ἐν αὐτοῖς

οἱ  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἀκούσαντες  having  heard 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: ἀκουστός 
Sense: to be endowed with the faculty of hearing, not deaf.
ὁμοθυμαδὸν  with  one  accord 
Parse: Adverb
Root: ὁμοθυμαδόν  
Sense: with one mind, with one accord, with one passion.
ἦραν  they  lifted  up 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: αἴρω  
Sense: to raise up, elevate, lift up.
φωνὴν  [their]  voice 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: φωνή  
Sense: a sound, a tone.
τὸν  - 
Parse: Article, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Θεὸν  God 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.
εἶπαν  said 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: λέγω  
Sense: to speak, say.
Δέσποτα  Sovereign  Lord 
Parse: Noun, Vocative Masculine Singular
Root: δεσπότης  
Sense: a master, Lord.
  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ποιήσας  made 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ποιέω  
Sense: to make.
οὐρανὸν  heaven 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: οὐρανός  
Sense: the vaulted expanse of the sky with all things visible in it.
γῆν  earth 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: γῆ  
Sense: arable land.
θάλασσαν  sea 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: θάλασσα  
Sense: the sea.
τὰ  that  [is] 
Parse: Article, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.