And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:

ACTS 4:24KJV
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Acts 4:24 (KJV)

What does Acts 4:24 mean?

Acts 4:24 describes how, after hearing troubling news, the early believers responded together by praying aloud to God, recognizing Him as the sovereign Creator of everything—heaven, earth, the sea, and all that is in them. This verse shows their unity and trust in God’s power over all creation as they faced challenges.

In the setting of Acts 4, Peter and John have just reported to the other believers about the threats they received from the religious leaders. The group’s immediate reaction is to come together “with one accord” and pray, addressing God as “Lord” and affirming His authority as the Maker of all things. This sets the tone for their prayer, grounding their confidence in God’s ultimate control.

The Greek behind Acts 4:24

  • The word for “with one accord” is ὁμοθυμαδόν (homothymadon, G3661), which means being of one mind or purpose. This highlights the deep unity among the believers as they pray together.
  • The word for “Lord” is δεσπότης (despotēs, G1203), a term that emphasizes God’s absolute authority and ownership, stronger than the more common word for “Lord.” The believers are acknowledging God’s supreme rule over all creation.
  • The word for “voice” is φωνή (phōnē, G5456), which can mean a sound, voice, or proclamation. Here, it suggests a collective, audible prayer, not just silent agreement.

Why Acts 4:24 matters

  • Acts 4:24 clears up any idea that the early church responded to threats with fear or division; instead, their first instinct was unified, confident prayer.
  • The verse emphasizes God’s role as Creator, which is foundational for the believers’ trust—if God made everything, He is able to help them in any situation.
  • This moment connects to the wider passage by showing how the early Christians drew strength from their shared faith and understanding of who God is, shaping how they faced opposition.

Where else these words appear

“Lord” Greek G1203 · used in 10 verses

  • Luke 2:29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
  • 2 Timothy 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
  • 2 Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

“accord” Greek G3661 · used in 12 verses

  • Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
  • Acts 5:12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people;(and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.
  • Acts 15:25 It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

“sea” Greek G2281 · used in 83 verses

  • Matthew 4:15 The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;
  • Mark 6:49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:
  • 1 Corinthians 10:2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

“up” Greek G142 · used in 98 verses

  • Matthew 4:6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
  • Mark 8:20 And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven.
  • John 5:9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.