Here, the disciples aren't just asking God to stop the threats; they're asking Him to look at them so that they can be empowered to speak His Word anyway. Their prayer isn't for an absence of opposition, but for an abundance of courage to continue their mission despite it.
And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Fresh from confronting the religious authorities who had just threatened them, Peter and John, along with the whole church, turn to God in prayer. They acknowledge God's ultimate authority over all earthly rulers and the opposition they face, referencing a Psalm that describes the very nations and leaders plotting against God's Anointed. This prayer isn't just about their own safety; it's a plea for divine strength and courage to continue proclaiming God's message despite the dangers, and a request for God to confirm their words with His power.
When opposition heats up, do you shut down or turn to God? The early church faced intense pressure, but their response wasn't fear—it was fervent prayer.
Imagine the scene: Peter and John had just healed a man and preached the gospel, and the religious leaders, the Sanhedrin, were furious. They threatened the apostles, warning them not to speak or teach in Jesus' name ever again (Acts 4:18). This wasn't just a stern warning; it was a direct challenge to their mission and their lives.
But instead of shrinking back, the apostles and the early believers saw this moment not as a dead end, but as a divine invitation. They gathered together and prayed, acknowledging God's sovereignty over the threats (Acts 4:24). Their prayer wasn't about God removing the threats, but about God empowering them through the threats. They asked God to 'look upon their threatenings'—not in a passive way, but in a way that acknowledged these threats were ultimately aimed at God Himself and His purposes.
This shifts our perspective entirely. When we face opposition, whether it's at work, within our families, or in our communities, we can see it as an opportunity to lean into God's strength, recognizing that the opposition often stems from a resistance to God's truth.
What does it take to speak truth when everyone else is telling you to be quiet? The early church prayed for something more than just courage; they prayed for a divine enablement.
The core of their prayer wasn't, 'Help us escape this danger,' but 'grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness.' They recognized that true boldness isn't just a personality trait or sheer willpower; it's a gift from God.
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Understand the original words
parrēsias · Greek Noun
Fearless confidence and freedom of speech; a hallmark of the early church empowered by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the Gospel.
sēmeia · Greek Noun
Acts of divine power that manifest God's kingdom, used to authenticate the message of the Gospel and demonstrate His compassion.
terata · Greek Noun
Extraordinary events that evoke awe and attest to the supernatural reality and power of God at work among His people.
The early followers of Jesus faced immediate and severe opposition from religious and political authorities. This prayer in Acts 4 shows them not asking for escape from danger, but for divine strength to continue their mission in the face of threats.
c. AD 30
Crucifixion of Jesus Christ
Jesus, the central figure of Christianity, is crucified in Jerusalem under the Roman governor Pontius Pilate. His followers believe he was resurrected three days later.
c. AD 30-33
Early Ministry of the Apostles
Following Jesus' ascension, his apostles begin preaching the Gospel, performing miracles, and experiencing rapid growth in their movement, often facing initial resistance.
c. AD 33
Healing of the Lame Man
Peter and John heal a man lame from birth at the Beautiful Gate of the Jerusalem temple, drawing a large crowd and leading to their arrest.
c. AD 33
Apostles Before the Sanhedrin
Peter and John are arrested and brought before the Jewish high council (Sanhedrin), including the high priest, and are questioned about their authority and the healing.
c. AD 33— this verse
Apostles' Bold Witness
Despite threats from the Sanhedrin, Peter and John boldly declare that salvation comes through Jesus Christ alone, stating they must obey God rather than men.
c. AD 33
Release and Prayer Meeting
Released from custody, Peter and John rejoin the other believers. The community prays together, acknowledging the opposition and asking for continued boldness in sharing God's word.
c. AD 33
The Holy Spirit's Confirmation
Following their prayer, the believers are filled with the Holy Spirit, and the place is shaken, signifying God's presence and empowering them to speak His word with even greater boldness.
This psalm describes the very 'threatenings' the apostles are praying against – the rulers of the earth conspiring against the Lord and His anointed, showing that this opposition is an ancient, ongoing spiritual battle.
Luke 21:15Jesus promised His disciples that He would give them 'a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries shall be able to withstand or contradict.' This prayer in Acts is a direct echo of that promise, seeking the fulfillment of Christ's word.
Ephesians 6:19Paul asks for prayer that he may 'proclaim the mystery of the gospel boldly, as I ought to speak.' This shows that seeking boldness to speak God's word was a consistent need and prayer among early believers.
Jeremiah 1:17-19Like Jeremiah, who was told he would face opposition and threats, the apostles are asking God to strengthen them to speak His word even in the face of intimidation and powerful opposition.
Acts 4:31This passage immediately follows the prayer, describing how 'they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness,' demonstrating God's direct answer to their plea and the power that comes from divine empowerment.
barnesActs 4:29: "And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,"
Behold their threatenings - So look upon them as to grant us deliverance. They did not purpose to abandon their undertaking; they resolved to persevere; and they expected that this purpose would involve them in danger. With this purpose they implored the protection of God; they asked that he would not suffer them to be deterred from speaking boldly; and they sought…
clarkeActs 4:29: "And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,"
And now, Lord, behold their threatenings - It is not against us, but against thee, that they conspire: it is not to prevent the success of our preaching, but to bring to nought thy counsel: the whole of their enmity is against thee. Now, Lord, look upon it; consider this. And grant unto thy servants - While we are endeavoring to fulfill thy counsels, and can do not…
Here, the disciples aren't just asking God to stop the threats; they're asking Him to look at them so that they can be empowered to speak His Word anyway. Their prayer isn't for an absence of opposition, but for an abundance of courage to continue their mission despite it.
Fresh from confronting the religious authorities who had just threatened them, Peter and John, along with the whole church, turn to God in prayer. They acknowledge God's ultimate authority over all earthly rulers and the opposition they face, referencing a Psalm that describes the very nations and leaders plotting against God's Anointed. This prayer isn't just about their own safety; it's a plea for divine strength and courage to continue proclaiming God's message despite the dangers, and a request for God to confirm their words with His power.
Fresh from confronting the religious authorities who had just threatened them, Peter and John, along with the whole church, turn to God in prayer. They acknowledge God's ultimate authority over all earthly rulers and the opposition they face, referencing a Psalm that describes the very nations and leaders plotting against God's Anointed. This prayer isn't just about their own safety; it's a plea for divine strength and courage to continue proclaiming God's message despite the dangers, and a request for God to confirm their words with His power.
"And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”" — Here, the disciples aren't just asking God to stop the threats; they're asking Him to look at them so that they can be empowered to speak His Word anyway. Their prayer isn't for an absence of opp…
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Last reviewed October 2026
