Acts 4:31

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 4:28-31

The two kingdoms in array against one another. I. THE SCRIPTURAL REPRESENTATION RECOGNIZED . The Holy Ghost spake it. The view given in Psalms 2:1-12 . corresponds with that which pervades the Bible. The Babel power over against the kingdom of God. God making all things to work together for his purposes. The history of Jesus Christ a wonderful confirmation of this view. The disciples in their faith and fellowship following their Master and accepting the responsibilities of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 4:31

Wherein they were gathered for when they were assembled, A.V. When they had prayed . When they had finished the preceding prayer. The place was shaken , perhaps by a mighty wind, as in Acts 2:2 . The word σαλεύεσθαι is properly used of ships or of the sea agitated and tossed by the wind; so Matthew 11:7 , "A reed shaken by the wind." But it is also applied to the rocking caused by an earthquake ( Acts 16:26 ), which maybe the kind of shaking here meant. In this fresh... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 4:31

And when they had prayed - The event which followed was regarded by them as an evidence that God heard their prayer.The place was shaken - The word which is translated “was shaken” commonly denotes “violent agitation,” as the raging of the sea, the convulsion of an earthquake, or trees shaken by the wind, Matthew 11:7; Acts 16:26; Hebrews 12:26. The language here is suited to express the idea of an earthquake. Whether the motion was confined to the house where they were is not said. They... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Acts 4:29-31

Acts 4:29-31. And now, Lord As to what remains to accomplish this important scheme, of raising thy church on the sure foundation of thy Son’s cross; behold their threatenings With which they are endeavouring to discourage the chosen witnesses of his resurrection; and grant to thy servants, that with all boldness Παρρησιας πασης , all freedom of speech; they may speak thy word In the midst of the most violent opposition that can arise; by stretching forth thy hand Exerting thy power;... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Acts 4:1-31

Growth brings opposition (4:1-31)During the centuries leading up to the Christian era (see ‘The New Testament World’), several parties had arisen within the Jewish religion. The most important of these were the Pharisees and the Sadducees.The Pharisees came mainly from the common people, and tried to preserve the Jewish way of life from the corruption of foreign ideas and political ambition. They were concerned with the outward show of religion, but not so concerned with correct attitudes of... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Acts 4:31

when they had = while they. prayed. App-134 . shaken. Greek. saleuo. Compare Acts 16:26 . where = in which. the Holy Ghost. App-101 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Acts 4:31

And when they had prayed, the place was shaken wherein they were gathered together; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spake the word of God with boldness.The place ... was shaken ... God gave this visible sign that his promise of miraculous power to the Twelve would continue to be honored.Filled with the Holy Spirit ... This was not a repetition of the wonder at Pentecost, but a continuation in the apostles of that power "from on high" which had been promised, the result... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Acts 4:31

Acts 4:31. And when they had prayed, &c.— God of old testified his acceptance of the sacrifices or prayers of the pious by sending down fire from heaven, or by appearing after some peculiar manner in the cloud of glory: but now the token of acceptance was, that the house where they were assembled was again shaken, and there was a second effusion of the Holy Spirit, perhaps attended with the like sound, and with the like appearance of a glory, as there had been at first on the day of... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Acts 4:31

31-37. place was shaken—glorious token of the commotion which the Gospel was to make ( :-; compare Acts 16:26), and the overthrow of all opposing powers in which this was to issue. they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and spake, c.—The Spirit rested upon the entire community, first, in the very way they had asked, so that they "spake the word with boldness" (Acts 4:29 Acts 4:31); next, in melting down all selfishness, and absorbing even the feeling of individuality in an intense and... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Acts 4:1-31

1. External opposition 3:1-4:31Opposition to the Christians’ message first came from external sources, particularly the leaders of Judaism. read more

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