Acts Chapter 4 · Verse 33

Authorized King James Version

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

Original Language Analysis

καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 1 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μεγάλη great G3173
μεγάλη great
Strong's: G3173
Word #: 2 of 20
big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)
δυνάμει power G1411
δυνάμει power
Strong's: G1411
Word #: 3 of 20
force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself)
ἀπεδίδουν gave G591
ἀπεδίδουν gave
Strong's: G591
Word #: 4 of 20
to give away, i.e., up, over, back, etc. (in various applications)
τὸ G3588
τὸ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 5 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μαρτύριον witness G3142
μαρτύριον witness
Strong's: G3142
Word #: 6 of 20
something evidential, i.e., (genitive case) evidence given or (specially), the decalogue (in the sacred tabernacle)
οἱ G3588
οἱ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 7 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀπόστολοι the apostles G652
ἀπόστολοι the apostles
Strong's: G652
Word #: 8 of 20
a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the gospel; officially a commissioner of christ ("apostle") (with miraculous powers)
τῆς G3588
τῆς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 9 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀναστάσεως of the resurrection G386
ἀναστάσεως of the resurrection
Strong's: G386
Word #: 10 of 20
a standing up again, i.e., (literally) a resurrection from death (individual, genitive case or by implication, (its author)), or (figuratively) a (mor
τοῦ G3588
τοῦ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 11 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κυρίου of the Lord G2962
κυρίου of the Lord
Strong's: G2962
Word #: 12 of 20
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
Ἰησοῦ Jesus G2424
Ἰησοῦ Jesus
Strong's: G2424
Word #: 13 of 20
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
χάρις grace G5485
χάρις grace
Strong's: G5485
Word #: 14 of 20
graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart
τε and G5037
τε and
Strong's: G5037
Word #: 15 of 20
both or also (properly, as correlation of g2532)
μεγάλη great G3173
μεγάλη great
Strong's: G3173
Word #: 16 of 20
big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)
ἦν was G2258
ἦν was
Strong's: G2258
Word #: 17 of 20
i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)
ἐπὶ upon G1909
ἐπὶ upon
Strong's: G1909
Word #: 18 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
πάντας all G3956
πάντας all
Strong's: G3956
Word #: 19 of 20
all, any, every, the whole
αὐτούς them G846
αὐτούς them
Strong's: G846
Word #: 20 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

Analysis & Commentary

Apostolic witness to resurrection formed Christianity's core message, demonstrating that early preaching centered on historical event, not mere ethical teaching. 'Great power' (Greek 'dunamis') indicates Spirit-enabled boldness and authenticating miracles. 'Great grace upon them all' shows divine favor enabling their mission and attracting converts.

Historical Context

Despite threats from the Sanhedrin (Acts 4:18-21), the apostles continued public testimony in Jerusalem. Their message's emphasis on resurrection directly challenged Sadducean theology and explained Jesus' empty tomb to curious crowds.

Questions for Reflection