Acts 4:26
The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.
Original Language Analysis
παρέστησαν
stood up
G3936
παρέστησαν
stood up
Strong's:
G3936
Word #:
1 of 20
to stand beside, i.e., (transitively) to exhibit, proffer, (specially), recommend, (figuratively) substantiate; or (intransitively) to be at hand (or
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βασιλεῖς
The kings
G935
βασιλεῖς
The kings
Strong's:
G935
Word #:
3 of 20
a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γῆς
of the earth
G1093
γῆς
of the earth
Strong's:
G1093
Word #:
5 of 20
soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
συνήχθησαν
were gathered
G4863
συνήχθησαν
were gathered
Strong's:
G4863
Word #:
9 of 20
to lead together, i.e., collect or convene; specially, to entertain (hospitably)
ἐπὶ
G1909
ἐπὶ
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
10 of 20
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
12 of 20
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
κατὰ
against
G2596
κατὰ
against
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
13 of 20
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κυρίου
the Lord
G2962
κυρίου
the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
15 of 20
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
κατὰ
against
G2596
κατὰ
against
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
17 of 20
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Psalms 2:2The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,Daniel 9:24Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.Acts 10:38How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.Hebrews 1:9Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.Luke 4:18The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,Revelation 17:17For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.
Historical Context
Psalm 2's original context was David's enemies opposing his God-ordained kingship. Early church recognized this pattern repeated in Christ's ministry - religious and political powers conspiring against God's chosen King. This typological interpretation became fundamental to Christian hermeneutics.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing opposition to you as opposition to Christ sustain you through persecution?
- What does the phrase 'against the Lord, and against his Christ' teach about Christ's deity?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The application of Psalm 2 continues - 'against the Lord, and against his Christ' - identifying current persecution as fulfillment of prophetic pattern. The Greek 'christos' (Anointed One) translates Hebrew 'Messiah,' connecting Jesus explicitly with psalm's king. Opposition to Christ is opposition to God - rejecting the Son rejects the Father (John 5:23). This theology sustained martyrs: their persecutors opposed God Himself, guaranteeing ultimate defeat.