Acts 4 29

Acts 4:29 kjv

And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,

Acts 4:29 nkjv

Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word,

Acts 4:29 niv

Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.

Acts 4:29 esv

And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness,

Acts 4:29 nlt

And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word.

Acts 4 verses

Acts 4 29 Meaning

Acts 4:29 is a fervent prayer offered by the early Christian community to God the Father, appealing to His divine sovereignty in the face of escalating opposition from the Jewish authorities. Having been commanded to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, the believers do not pray for an end to persecution or for personal safety, but rather for continued and amplified boldness (Ἴπαρρησία, parrēsia) to proclaim God's word despite the threats. This verse demonstrates a deep reliance on God for enablement to fulfill their commission, prioritizing obedience to God over fear of man.

Acts 4 29 Context

Acts chapter 4 opens with Peter and John healing a lame man at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple, leading to a large crowd gathering and Peter proclaiming Jesus Christ as the means of healing and salvation. This public declaration in the Temple angered the Sadducees, priests, and captain of the Temple guard, who then arrested Peter and John (Acts 4:1-4). The apostles were interrogated by the Sanhedrin, including high priestly families, and though threatened and commanded never again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus, Peter and John boldly declared that they must obey God rather than men (Acts 4:18-20). Upon their release, they returned to their own people and reported everything. This prayer in Acts 4:24-30 is the immediate corporate response of the believers, acknowledging God's sovereignty over earthly powers and seeking empowerment, not relief, to continue their mission despite the threats.

Acts 4 29 Word analysis

• And now: Connects the prayer to the immediate and pressing circumstances they faced. It signifies an appeal grounded in their present reality of threats.
• Lord (Δέσποτα, Despota): This is a strong Greek term for 'Master' or 'Sovereign Lord,' emphasizing absolute power, authority, and ownership. It signifies a master-servant relationship and indicates that God has complete control over all circumstances, including the opposition they face. It’s an address that highlights divine prerogative.
• behold (ἔπιδε, epide): Not a passive seeing, but an imperative verb meaning "look upon," "consider," "take note of." It is an appeal to God to actively observe and engage with their situation, acknowledging His awareness but also pleading for His intervention. It's an expression of reliance on divine vigilance.
• their threatenings (τὰς ἀπειλὰς αὐτῶν, tas apeilas autōn): Refers directly to the Sanhedrin's verbal warnings and intimidation tactics mentioned in Acts 4:17 and 4:21. The term highlights the concrete and specific nature of the opposition, indicating real danger and hostile intent from human authorities.
• and grant unto thy servants (δὸς τοῖς δούλοις σου, dos tois doulois sou):
  • grant (δός, dos): An imperative plea, an urgent request for God's provision and enablement.
  • thy servants (τοῖς δούλοις σου, tois doulois sou): Literally 'your bond-servants' or 'slaves'. This self-designation underscores their identity as belonging completely to God, wholly dedicated to His will, and thus dependent on His empowering grace to fulfill their divinely appointed roles. It reinforces the 'Lord-servant' relationship.
• that with all boldness (μετὰ παρρησίας πάσης, meta parrēsias pasēs):
  • boldness (παρρησία, parrēsia): A critical term in Acts, signifying freedom of speech, confidence, frankness, courage, and fearlessness. It implies speaking openly and publicly without reservation, even in hostile environments. It's the opposite of hiding or cowering in fear.
  • all (πάσης, pasēs): Emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the boldness desired—complete, unreserved, full boldness, not partial or hesitant.
• they may speak thy word (λαλεῖν τὸν λόγον σου, lalein ton logon sou):
  • speak (λαλεῖν, lalein): Refers to the act of verbal proclamation, declaring the message.
  • thy word (τὸν λόγον σου, ton logon sou): Refers to the divine message, the gospel, the teaching concerning Jesus Christ. It is God's own message, which carries His authority and power, rather than merely human ideas or opinions. The purpose of boldness is solely for the advancement of God's revealed truth.

• "And now, Lord, behold their threatenings": This phrase frames the prayer as an immediate, heartfelt cry acknowledging divine sovereignty over the current human hostility. It demonstrates the early believers' faith in God's active engagement with human affairs and His ultimate control, even when faced with significant peril. They were not demanding vengeance but simply asking God to recognize the reality of their opposition.
• "grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word": This core petition reveals the primary concern of the early church during persecution: not their own safety, but the continued, fearless, and effective proclamation of the gospel. It highlights their mission-centric focus, acknowledging their complete dependence on divine enablement to fulfill the Great Commission even amidst the gravest threats. This bold request stands in direct contrast to the Sanhedrin's command to be silent.

Acts 4 29 Bonus section

The prayer in Acts 4:29, along with the broader prayer in 4:24-30, signifies a foundational characteristic of early Christian spirituality: embracing suffering and opposition as an expected part of the Christ-follower's journey. Their understanding of "threatenings" was not a sign of God's absence but an occasion for His power to be displayed. The community explicitly linked their experience to that of Jesus Himself, who also faced hostility from rulers (Acts 4:27-28, quoting Ps 2:1-2). This theological framework transformed persecution from a disheartening obstacle into a moment for divine glory and a validation of their faithful witness. The power released after this prayer (Acts 4:31), shaking the place where they met, further underscores the immediate, tangible reality of God's response to their plea for boldness.

Acts 4 29 Commentary

Acts 4:29 encapsulates the courageous, God-centered prayer life of the early church in the face of burgeoning persecution. It reveals their understanding that spiritual warfare is not fought by human strength but through divine empowerment. Instead of asking for the cessation of threats or physical protection, they earnestly sought greater boldness to continue their assigned task of spreading the gospel. This highlights a critical principle: when earthly powers oppose God's will, the faithful response is to lean into God's power and persist in His mission, trusting His ultimate sovereignty over all opposition. This posture demonstrates a faith that views threats not as roadblocks but as catalysts for greater dependence on God and bolder proclamation. The focus remains on God's word and His mission, empowered by His Spirit.