Acts 4:8 Meaning and Explanation
“Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter addresses the rulers and elders of Israel with respect.
What Does Acts 4:8 Mean?
Jesus had promised that when his followers stood before rulers, the Holy Spirit would teach them in that very hour what to say (Luke 12:11-12). Luke shows the promise kept. Peter — the man who folded before a servant girl's question weeks earlier (Luke 22:56-57) — now stands filled with the Spirit before the supreme court of his nation.
His boldness is not temperament but filling; the same man, a different power. And the filling shows itself first in courtesy: Peter opens with honor, not defiance. Courage that comes from God can afford to be respectful. Strength and gentleness in the same breath is one of the Spirit's signatures.
Acts 4:8 in the Original Language
pimplemi (πίμπλημι), 'filled' -- to fill completely, leaving no part empty.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 4:8
What does Acts 4:8 mean?
Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter addresses the rulers and elders of Israel with respect.