Definition: Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Acts 4:25. It's a really important part of understanding how Jesus’ ministry started in Jerusalem. Here’s what it means in simple terms: The Basic Story: After delivering a series of powerful speeches – essentially, Jesus was speaking to the crowd – he said, “Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?” This was happening after some people had been preaching about Jesus that he was a threat. They were saying things like, "He's a magician!" or "He’s going to bring ruin!" Putting it Together: "Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said…" : This tells us that Jesus was speaking through David. David was a very important king in Jewish history and was known for his wisdom and ability to speak powerfully. “…Why did the heathen rage…” : This means the people were angry. They were reacting negatively to Jesus’ words. "...and the people imagine vain things?" : This is the key part. The people were making up wild, fantastical stories about Jesus – stories that weren't based on truth or reality. They were imagining things that didn’t exist. The Overall Meaning: Jesus was setting the stage for his ministry by showing them he was a wise and powerful speaker who could challenge their beliefs. He was subtly telling them to stop jumping to conclusions and to focus on what is true – that Jesus is the Messiah, the one prophesied in the Old Testament. Why it’s important: This verse highlights Jesus' importance as a teacher and communicator. It shows he wasn't just delivering sermons; he was actively engaging with people and helping them to understand his message. It also demonstrates that even when powerful words are spoken, they can be misinterpreted if people aren't careful about how they interpret them. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Give a more detailed explanation of the context?