For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
The Apostles appeal to what actually happened to confirm God's Word, the enemies raged against Christ exactly as the Psalm foretold, yet their fury was utterly vain, for they could do nothing beyond what God had already appointed. By Gentiles and people of Israel, Luke marks the diversity of nations from which the Jews gathered, all making one assault on Christ's kingdom, though their violence accomplished nothing against His purpose.
AI summary
No sooner were they freed than they returned to their own company, unswollen by the honor shown them, unafraid of threats. Christ's followers do best in company, provided it be their own company, seeking the public good rather than private comfort.
AI summary
Commenting on Acts 4:23-31
Christ is called God's holy child because His human nature was taken into union with the Son of God, and He lived free from all sin, original and actual, which makes their crime against Him all the more aggravated. That Herod, Pilate, the Romans, and the Jews all conspired together in this notorious fact proves the Psalm's word true: they rose up against one anointed with the Spirit without measure.
AI summary