Act 4:25-37 | RWP | e4.org | By the mouth of our father David ( του πατρος ημων δια πνευματος αγιου στοματος Δαυειδ ). From . here ascribed to David. Baumgarten suggests that the whole company sang the second Psalm and then Peter applied it to this emergency. The Greek MSS. do not have δια (by) here before στοματος , but only δια before πνευματος αγιου (the Holy Spirit). Hort calls this a "primitive error" perhaps due to an early scribe who omitted this second δια so close to the first δια (Robertson, Introduction to the Textual Criticism of the N.T. , p. 238). A small list of such primitive errors is there given as suggested by Dr. Hort. Why ( ινα τ ). This Greek idiom calls for γενητα (second aorist middle subjunctive), That what may happen . The Gentiles ( εθνη ). So always in LXX, while λαο (peoples) can include Jews. Did rage ( εφρυαξαν ). First aorist active indicative of φρυασσω , late word, to neigh like a horse, to prance or stamp the ground, to put on lofty airs. Only here in the N.T. in this quotation from . Imagine ( εμελετησαν ). First aorist active indicative of μελεταω . Old verb from μελετη (care), to practise, to caution, as orators and rhetoricians. Only here in the N.T. in this quotation.

‏ Acts 4:25-37

By the mouth of our father David ( του πατρος ημων δια πνευματος αγιου στοματος Δαυειδ ). From Ps 2:1f. here ascribed to David. Baumgarten suggests that the whole company sang the second Psalm and then Peter applied it to this emergency. The Greek MSS. do not have δια (by) here before στοματος, but only δια before πνευματος αγιου (the Holy Spirit). Hort calls this a "primitive error" perhaps due to an early scribe who omitted this second δια so close to the first δια (Robertson, Introduction to the Textual Criticism of the N.T., p. 238). A small list of such primitive errors is there given as suggested by Dr. Hort.

Why ( ινα τ ). This Greek idiom calls for γενητα (second aorist middle subjunctive),

That what may happen.

The Gentiles ( εθνη ). So always in LXX, while λαο (peoples) can include Jews.

Did rage ( εφρυαξαν ). First aorist active indicative of φρυασσω, late word, to neigh like a horse, to prance or stamp the ground, to put on lofty airs. Only here in the N.T. in this quotation from Ps 2:1.

Imagine ( εμελετησαν ). First aorist active indicative of μελεταω. Old verb from μελετη (care), to practise, to caution, as orators and rhetoricians. Only here in the N.T. in this quotation.

Set themselves in array ( παρεστησαν ). Literally, stood by.

Against his Anointed ( κατα του Χριστου αυτου ). Against his Messiah, his Christ.

Both Herod and Pontios Pilate ( Hηρωιδης τε κα Ποντιυς Πειλατος ). Luke alone (Lu 23:12) tells of the reconciliation between Herod and Pilate at the trial of Jesus. So Peter and the rest interpret this prophecy as directly fulfilled in their conduct towards Jesus Christ.

Whom thou didst anoint ( ον εχρισας ). As in verse 26 (cf. Lu 4:18; Isa 61:1). Inaugurated as King Messiah.

Foreordained ( προωρισεν ). First aorist active indicative of προοριζω, "They rise above sight and seem to see the Hand which 'shapes men's ends, rough hew them how they will'" (Furneaux).

And now ( κα τα νυν ). "And as to (accusative of general reference) the now things (the present situation)." Only in the Acts in the N.T. (5:38; 17:30; 20:32; 27:22).

Grant ( δος ). Second aorist active imperative of διδωμ, urgency of the aorist, Do it now.

To speak thy word with all boldness ( μετα παρρησιας πασης λαλειν τον λογον σου ). Literally, "with all boldness to go on speaking (present active infinitive) thy word." Peter and John had defied the Sanhedrin in verse 20, but all the same and all the more they pray for courage in deed to live up to their brave words. A wholesome lesson.

While thou stretchest forth thy hand ( εν τω την χειρα εκτεινειν σε ). Luke's favourite idiom, "In the stretching out (articular present active infinitive) the hand as to thee" (accusative of general reference), the second allusion to God's "hand" in this prayer (verse 28).

To heal ( εις ιασιν ). For healing. See verse 22.

And that signs and wonders may be done ( κα σημεια κα τερατα γινεσθα ). Either to be taken as in the same construction as εκτεινειν with εν τω as Revised Version has it here or to be treated as subordinate purpose to εν τω εκτεινειν (as Knowling, Page, Wendt, Hackett). The latter most likely true. They ask for a visible sign or proof that God has heard this prayer for courage to be faithful even unto death.

The place was shaken ( εσαλευθη ο τοπος ). By an earthquake most likely as in 16:26, but none the less a token of God's presence and power (Ps 114:7; Isa 2:19, 21; Heb 12:26f.).

Were gathered together ( ησαν συνηγμενο ). Periphrastic past perfect passive of συναγω.

They spake ( ελαλουν ). Imperfect active indicative, began to speak, after being filled ( επλησθησαν, aorist passive indicative) with the Holy Spirit. Luke uses the very words of the prayer in verse 29 to describe their conduct.

Of one heart and soul ( καρδια κα ψυχη μια ). It is not possible to make sharp distinction between heart and soul here (see Mr 12:30), only that there was harmony in thought and affection. But the English translation is curiously unlike the Greek original. "There was one heart and soul (nominative case, not genitive as the English has it) in the multitude ( του πληθους, subjective genitive) of those who believed."

Not one of them ( ουδε εις ). More emphatic than ουδεις, "not even one."

Common ( κοινα ). In the use of their property, not in the possession as Luke proceeds to explain. The word κοινος is kin to συν (together with)= ξυν (Epic) and so ξυνοσ=κοινος. See this word already in 2:44. The idea of unclean (Ac 10:15) is a later development from the original notion of common to all.

Gave their witness ( απεδιδουν το μαρτυριον ). Imperfect active of αποδιδωμ, old verb to give back, to pay back a debt (Lu 7:42), but a late omega form instead of the usual απεδιδοσαν. They kept on giving their witness with power after the answer to their prayer (verse 31).

Of the resurrection ( της αναστασεως ). It was on this issue that the Sadducees had arrested them (4:1-3).

That lacked ( ενδεης ). Literally, in need, old adjective, here only in the N.T.

Were ( υπηρχον ). Imperfect active of υπαρχω, to exist.

Sold them and brought ( πωλουντες εφερον ). Present active participle and imperfect active indicative. Selling they brought from time to time, as there was occasion by reason of need. Hence the wants were kept supplied.

Laid them ( ετιθουν ). Imperfect active again, repetition, of τιθημ, late omega form for the usual ετιθεσαν.

Distribution was made ( διεδιδετο ). Imperfect passive of διαδιδωμ, late omega form for διεδιδοτο (the stem vowel ο displaced by ε ). Impersonal use of the verb here.

According as any one had need ( καθοτ αν τις χρειαν ειχεν ). Imperfect active of εχω with καθοτ and αν with the notion of customary repetition in a comparative clause (Robertson, Grammar, p. 967).

Barnabas ( Βαρναβας ). His name was Joseph (correct text, and not Jesus) and he is mentioned as one illustration of those in verse 34 who selling brought the money. The apostles gave him the nickname Barnabas by which later he was known because of this noble deed. This fact argues that all did not actually sell, but were ready to do so if needed. Possibly Joseph had a larger estate than some others also. The meaning of the nickname is given by Luke as "son of consolation or exhortation" ( υιος παρακλησεως ). Doubtless his gifts as a preacher lay along this same line. Rackham thinks that the apostles gave him this name when he was recognized as a prophet. In Ac 11:23 the very word παρεκαλε (exhorted) is used of Barnabas up at Antioch. He is the type of preacher described by Paul in 1Co 14:3. Encouragement is the chief idea in παρακλησις though exhortation, comfort, consolation are used to render it (Ac 9:31; 13:15; 15:31). See also 16:9; 20:12. It is not necessary to think that the apostles coined the name Barnabas for Joseph which originally may have come from Βαρνεβους (Deissmann, Bible Studies, pp. 308-10), son of Nebo, or even the Hebrew Bar Nebi (son of a prophet). But, whatever the origin, the popular use is given by Luke. He was even called apostle along with Paul (Ac 14:14) in the broad sense of that word.

Having a held ( υπαρχοντος αυτω αγρου ). Genitive absolute with present active participle of υπαρχω and dative of possession.

Sold it and brought ( πωλησας ηνεγκεν ). Aorist active participle of πωλεω and second aorist active indicative of φερω because a single definite instance. So also with εθηκεν (laid), first aorist active.