Acts 4:25
New International Version
You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: “’Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?

New Living Translation
you spoke long ago by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant, saying, ‘Why were the nations so angry? Why did they waste their time with futile plans?

English Standard Version
who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, “‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain?

Berean Standard Bible
You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of Your servant, our father David: ‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?

Berean Literal Bible
having spoken by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of Your servant, our father David: 'Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples devise vain things?

King James Bible
Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?

New King James Version
who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: ‘Why did the nations rage, And the people plot vain things?

New American Standard Bible
who by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Your servant, said, ‘WHY WERE THE NATIONS INSOLENT, AND THE PEOPLES PLOTTING IN VAIN?

NASB 1995
who by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Your servant, said, ‘WHY DID THE GENTILES RAGE, AND THE PEOPLES DEVISE FUTILE THINGS?

NASB 1977
who by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Thy servant, didst say, ‘WHY DID THE GENTILES RAGE, AND THE PEOPLES DEVISE FUTILE THINGS?

Legacy Standard Bible
who by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Your servant, said, ‘WHY DID THE GENTILES RAGE, AND THE PEOPLES DEVISE VAIN THINGS?

Amplified Bible
who by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David, Your servant, said, ‘WHY DID THE NATIONS (Gentiles) BECOME ARROGANT and RAGE, AND THE PEOPLES DEVISE FUTILE THINGS [against the Lord]?

Christian Standard Bible
You said through the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of our father David your servant: Why do the Gentiles rage and the peoples plot futile things?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You said through the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of our father David Your servant: Why did the Gentiles rage and the peoples plot futile things?

American Standard Version
who by the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of our father David thy servant, didst say, Why did the Gentiles rage, And the peoples imagine vain things?

Contemporary English Version
And by the Holy Spirit you spoke to our ancestor David. He was your servant, and you told him to say: "Why are all the Gentiles so furious? Why do people make foolish plans?

English Revised Version
who by the Holy Ghost, by the mouth of our father David thy servant, didst say, Why did the Gentiles rage, And the peoples imagine vain things?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You said through the Holy Spirit, who spoke through your servant David (our ancestor), 'Why do the nations act arrogantly? Why do their people devise useless plots?

Good News Translation
By means of the Holy Spirit you spoke through our ancestor David, your servant, when he said, 'Why were the Gentiles furious; why did people make their useless plots?

International Standard Version
You said by the Holy Spirit through the voice of our ancestor, your servant David, 'Why do the unbelievers rage, and the people devise useless plots?

Majority Standard Bible
You spoke through the mouth of Your servant, David: ‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?

NET Bible
who said by the Holy Spirit through your servant David our forefather, 'Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot foolish things?

New Heart English Bible
You said through the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David your servant: 'Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot in vain?

Webster's Bible Translation
Who, by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?

Weymouth New Testament
and didst say through the Holy Spirit by the lips of our forefather David Thy servant, "'Why have the nations stamped and raged, and the peoples formed futile plans?

World English Bible
who by the mouth of your servant David, said, ‘Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
who, through the mouth of Your servant David, said, Why did nations rage, and peoples meditate vain things?

Berean Literal Bible
having spoken by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of Your servant, our father David: 'Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples devise vain things?

Young's Literal Translation
who, through the mouth of David thy servant, did say, Why did nations rage, and peoples meditate vain things?

Smith's Literal Translation
Having said by the mouth of David thy servant, That why were the nations insolent, and did the people practise vain things.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Who, by the Holy Ghost, by the mouth of our father David, thy servant, hast said: Why did the Gentiles rage, and the people meditate vain things?

Catholic Public Domain Version
who, by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said: ‘Why have the Gentiles been seething, and why have the people been pondering nonsense?

New American Bible
you said by the holy Spirit through the mouth of our father David, your servant: ‘Why did the Gentiles rage and the peoples entertain folly?

New Revised Standard Version
it is you who said by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant: ‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples imagine vain things?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
You are the One who spoke through the Holy Spirit by the mouth of your servant David when he said, Why did the people rage and the nations devise worthless things?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And you are he who spoke by The Spirit of Holiness in the mouth of David, your Servant: “Why have the nations raged and the peoples devised nothingness?”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Why did the heathen rage, and the people devise vain things?

Godbey New Testament
the One speaking through the mouth of David, thy child, our father through the Holy Ghost, Wherefore did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?

Haweis New Testament
who by the mouth of David thy servant saidst, Why do the heathen so furiously rage, and the people meditate vain things?

Mace New Testament
who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, "why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?

Weymouth New Testament
and didst say through the Holy Spirit by the lips of our forefather David Thy servant, "'Why have the nations stamped and raged, and the peoples formed futile plans?

Worrell New Testament
Who, through the Holy Spirit by the mouth of our father David, Thy servant, didst say, 'Why did the gentiles rage, and the peoples premeditate empty things?

Worsley New Testament
who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Believers' Prayer
24When 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. 25You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of Your servant, our father David: ‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 26The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against His Anointed One.’…

Cross References
Psalm 2:1-2
Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? / The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together, against the LORD and against His Anointed One:

Matthew 12:18-21
“Here is My Servant, whom I have chosen, My beloved, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will proclaim justice to the nations. / He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear His voice in the streets. / A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish, till He leads justice to victory. ...

Hebrews 1:5
For to which of the angels did God ever say: “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father”? Or again: “I will be His Father, and He will be My Son”?

Revelation 11:18
The nations were enraged, and Your wrath has come. The time has come to judge the dead and to reward Your servants the prophets, as well as the saints and those who fear Your name, both small and great—and to destroy those who destroy the earth.”

Isaiah 53:3
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.

John 15:18-25
If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. / If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. / Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well. ...

Luke 24:44
Jesus said to them, “These are the words I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.”

Romans 1:2
the gospel He promised beforehand through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures,

1 Peter 2:4-8
As you come to Him, the living stone, rejected by men but chosen and precious in God’s sight, / you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. / For it stands in Scripture: “See, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and precious cornerstone; and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.” ...

2 Peter 1:21
For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Isaiah 40:5
And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all humanity together will see it.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

Jeremiah 1:9
Then the LORD reached out His hand, touched my mouth, and said to me: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.

2 Samuel 23:2
The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me; His word was on my tongue.

1 Kings 22:14
But Micaiah said, “As surely as the LORD lives, I will speak whatever the LORD tells me.”

Ezekiel 2:7
But speak My words to them, whether they listen or refuse to listen, for they are rebellious.


Treasury of Scripture

Who by the mouth of your servant David have said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?

by.

Acts 1:16
Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.

Acts 2:30
Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;

Why.

Psalm 2:1-6
Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? …

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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.














You spoke by the Holy Spirit
This phrase emphasizes the divine inspiration behind the words of Scripture. The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, is the source of prophetic utterance and revelation. In the original Greek, the word for "spoke" is "εἶπας" (eipas), which conveys the act of speaking or declaring. This underscores the belief that the Scriptures are not merely human words but are divinely inspired, as the Holy Spirit moved the prophets to speak and write. This aligns with 2 Peter 1:21, which states that prophecy never had its origin in human will, but prophets spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

through the mouth of your servant
The phrase "through the mouth" indicates the means by which God communicated His message. The Greek word "στόματος" (stomatos) refers to the physical mouth, symbolizing the human instrument used by God to convey His divine message. The term "servant" is translated from the Greek "παῖδος" (paidos), which can mean servant, child, or son. This highlights the humility and obedience of the prophets, who served as vessels for God's word. The use of "servant" also reflects the biblical theme of servanthood as a noble calling, exemplified by figures like Moses and ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the Suffering Servant.

our father David
This phrase identifies King David as the author of the quoted psalm, specifically Psalm 2. David, revered as a man after God's own heart, is acknowledged as a prophet and a king. The reference to "our father" signifies a spiritual lineage and connection to the promises made to David, which are fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Historically, David's reign is seen as a golden age for Israel, and his psalms are considered prophetic, pointing to the Messiah. The mention of David here reinforces the continuity of God's plan from the Old Testament to the New Testament.

said
The word "said" is translated from the Greek "εἶπεν" (eipen), which is a simple past tense verb indicating a statement or declaration. This verb is used to introduce direct quotations, emphasizing the authority and importance of the words that follow. In this context, it underscores the belief that the Scriptures are a record of God's spoken word, preserved for instruction, correction, and encouragement.

Why do the nations rage
This rhetorical question, quoted from Psalm 2:1, reflects the futility and rebellion of the nations against God's sovereign rule. The word "nations" is translated from the Greek "ἔθνη" (ethnē), which refers to Gentiles or peoples outside of Israel. The term "rage" comes from the Greek "ἐφρύαξαν" (ephryaxan), meaning to be in tumult or uproar. This imagery conveys the chaotic and futile opposition of worldly powers against God's anointed. Historically, this has been seen in the opposition faced by Israel and, in the New Testament context, the early church's persecution. It serves as a reminder of God's ultimate authority and the futility of resisting His will.

and the peoples plot in vain?
The phrase "plot in vain" highlights the futility of human schemes against God's purposes. The Greek word for "plot" is "μελετῶσιν" (meletōsin), which means to meditate or devise. The addition of "in vain" underscores the ultimate failure of these plans. This reflects the biblical theme that no weapon formed against God's people will prosper (Isaiah 54:17). Historically, this has been evident in the repeated failure of those who oppose God's plans, from Pharaoh's resistance to the crucifixion of Jesus, which ultimately led to the salvation of mankind. This serves as an encouragement to believers to trust in God's sovereignty and the certainty of His promises.

(25) Who by the mouth of thy servant David . . . .--The older MSS. present many variations of the text. It probably stood originally somewhat in this form: "Who through the Holy Ghost, by the mouth of David our father, thy servant," and was simplified by later copyists. In the citation from Psalms 2 we have another lesson from the Apostles' school of prophetic interpretation. The Psalm is not cited in the Gospels. Here what seems to us the most striking verse (Acts 4:7) of it is passed over, and it does not appear as referred to Christ till we find it in Hebrews 1:5; Hebrews 5:5.

Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine . . .?--Neither noun has the article in the Greek or in the Hebrew. Why did nations rage and peoples imagine . . .? The word for "rage" is primarily applied to animal ferocity, especially to that of untamed horses.

Verse 25. - Who by the Holy Ghost, by the mouth of our father David thy servant, didst say for who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, T.R. and A.V.; Gentiles for heathen, A.V.; peoples for people, A.V. Who by the Holy Ghost, etc. The R.T. here is impossible, but the T.R. is perfectly easy and natural. The confusion in the manuscripts from which the R.T. is formed appears to have arisen from στόματος having been accidentally mistaken for πνεύματος, which led to other changes. Three readings resulted and seem to be combined: ὁ διὰ τοῦ πατρός ἡμῶν Δαβὶδ εἰπών: or, ὁ διὰ πνεύματος ἁγίου εἰπών: or the original one, ὁ διὰ στόματος Δαβὶδ παιδός σου εἰπών, which is preserved in the T.R.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
[You]
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

spoke
εἰπών (eipōn)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

by
διὰ (dia)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

[the] Holy
Ἁγίου (Hagiou)
Adjective - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 40: Set apart by (or for) God, holy, sacred. From hagos; sacred.

Spirit
Πνεύματος (Pneumatos)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 4151: Wind, breath, spirit.

through [the] mouth
στόματος (stomatos)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 4750: The mouth, speech, eloquence in speech, the point of a sword.

of
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Your
σου (sou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

servant,
παιδός (paidos)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3816: Perhaps from paio; a boy, or, a girl, and a child; specially, a slave or servant.

our
ἡμῶν (hēmōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

father
πατρὸς (patros)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3962: Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'.

David:
Δαυὶδ (Dauid)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 1138: David, King of Israel. Of Hebrew origin; Dabid, the Israelite king.

‘Why
Τί (Ti)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

{do} the nations
ἔθνη (ethnē)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 1484: Probably from etho; a race, i.e. A tribe; specially, a foreign one.

rage,
ἐφρύαξαν (ephryaxan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 5433: To be wanton, insolent; I roar, rage. Akin to bruo, brucho; to snort, i.e. to make a tumult.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

[the] peoples
λαοὶ (laoi)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2992: Apparently a primary word; a people.

plot
ἐμελέτησαν (emeletēsan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 3191: From a presumed derivative of melo; to take care of, i.e. revolve in the mind.

in vain?
κενά (kena)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2756: Apparently a primary word; empty.


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