Discovery BoxActs 4:26-28 
Context4:26 The kings of the earth stood together, 1
and the rulers assembled together,
against the Lord and against his 2 Christ.’ 3
4:27 “For indeed both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, assembled together in this city against 4 your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, 5 4:28 to do as much as your power 6 and your plan 7 had decided beforehand 8 would happen.
1 tn Traditionally, “The kings of the earth took their stand.”
2 tn Or “Messiah”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.”
sn See the note on Christ in 2:31.
3 sn A quotation from Ps 2:1-2.
4 sn The application of Ps 2:1-2 is that Jews and Gentiles are opposing Jesus. The surprise of the application is that Jews are now found among the enemies of God’s plan.
5 sn A wordplay on “Christ,” v. 26, which means “one who has been anointed.”
6 tn Grk “hand,” here a metaphor for God’s strength or power or authority.
7 tn Or “purpose,” “will.”
8 tn Or “had predestined.” Since the term “predestine” is something of a technical theological term, not in wide usage in contemporary English, the translation “decide beforehand” was used instead (see L&N 30.84). God’s direction remains as the major theme.
