This prayer isn't just about asking God to stop the threats; it's a profound plea for God to enable them to speak His word with all boldness, recognizing that the power and courage to preach come directly from Him. Their focus isn't on their own safety but on the unimpeded spread of God's message, even in the face of opposition.
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.” And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Fresh off a terrifying encounter with the Jewish ruling council, Peter and John, along with the whole community, are praying. They've just been threatened and commanded to stop preaching about Jesus, but instead of being silenced, they're emboldened to ask God to acknowledge these threats and grant them even more courage to continue sharing His message.
When opposition rises, do you shrink back or lean in? The apostles saw threats not as a reason to stop, but as a call to prayer.
The disciples faced immense pressure from the religious authorities after healing a man and preaching in Jesus' name. Instead of backing down, they turned to God. They didn't ask God to remove the threats, but to see them. This wasn't passive observation; it was an acknowledgment that the opposition was ultimately against God Himself and His purposes. Their prayer reframes the situation: the enemies' hostility isn't just about them, it's about God's plan. This perspective shifted their focus from their own fear to God's sovereignty, inviting His intervention not to escape danger, but to boldly advance His message.
Speaking God's truth can be daunting. Discover why the early believers asked for boldness, not just courage.
The prayer isn't just for endurance, but for a specific quality: boldness. They asked God to grant them the ability to 'continue to speak your word with all boldness.' This isn't a natural human trait they were summoning; it's a divine enablement. The word for boldness here implies openness, plainness of speech, and fearless declaration. It’s the courage to speak truth clearly, without hesitation or compromise, even when facing severe threats. They understood that their mission required more than personal grit; it demanded God's empowering presence. This boldness isn't about being loud or aggressive, but about speaking God's truth with unwavering conviction and clarity, regardless of the cost.
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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.
proseuchomai · Greek Verb
To make an earnest petition or request to God; a fundamental expression of reliance on and communion with the Creator.
pneuma hagion · Greek Noun phrase
The third person of the Trinity, the divine presence who empowers believers, convicts the world, and sanctifies the church, evidenced by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the New Covenant.
parrēsia · Greek Noun
A Greek term (parrēsia) denoting frankness, confidence, and courage in speech, especially when witnessing for Christ despite opposition or cultural pressure.
logos tou theou · Greek Noun phrase
The message of salvation revealed by God through prophets, apostles, and finally through His Son, centered on the Gospel and the person of Jesus Christ.
This prayer isn't just a request for protection; it's a recognition that the opposition to the apostles is ultimately opposition to God himself, and a bold plea for divine enablement to continue God's work despite human threats.
c. AD 30
Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus
The central events of Christian faith, leading to the formation of the earliest Jesus movement.
c. AD 30-33
Early Days of the Jerusalem Church
Following Jesus' ascension, the first disciples gathered, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to preach and perform miracles.
c. AD 33
Healing of the Lame Man
Peter and John heal a man lame from birth at the temple gate, drawing a large crowd and attracting the attention of religious authorities.
c. AD 33
Arrest and Trial of Peter and John
Peter and John are arrested by the temple authorities and brought before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish high court.
c. AD 33— this verse
Sanhedrin's Warning
The Sanhedrin, though unable to deny the evidence of the healing, commands Peter and John to stop speaking or teaching in Jesus' name.
c. AD 33
Divine Response and Empowerment
The apostles pray for boldness, and their prayer is answered with a physical shaking of the place and a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit.
This passage echoes the prayer in Acts by describing the kings and rulers of the earth who gather and plot against the Lord and His Anointed (Christ), highlighting the very opposition the apostles faced and prayed against.
Ephesians 6:19Paul's request for prayer to speak the gospel boldly directly parallels the apostles' plea in Acts, showing that courage in proclaiming God's word is a constant need for believers and a matter for prayer.
Isaiah 41:10This verse provides a divine promise of strength and support, which underpins the apostles' confidence as they asked God to enable them to speak His word boldly in the face of threats.
Luke 12:11-12Jesus' teaching here directly relates to the apostles' situation, as He promised that the Holy Spirit would give them what to say when brought before authorities, a promise they are actively relying on in their prayer.
Acts 4:31This verse immediately follows the prayer and shows God's direct response, as the believers were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness, demonstrating the efficacy of their prayer.
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…
This prayer isn't just about asking God to stop the threats; it's a profound plea for God to enable them to speak His word with all boldness, recognizing that the power and courage to preach come directly from Him. Their focus isn't on their own safety but on the unimpeded spread of God's message, even in the face of opposition.
Fresh off a terrifying encounter with the Jewish ruling council, Peter and John, along with the whole community, are praying. They've just been threatened and commanded to stop preaching about Jesus, but instead of being silenced, they're emboldened to ask God to acknowledge these threats and grant them even more courage to continue sharing His message.
Fresh off a terrifying encounter with the Jewish ruling council, Peter and John, along with the whole community, are praying. They've just been threatened and commanded to stop preaching about Jesus, but instead of being silenced, they're emboldened to ask God to acknowledge these threats and grant them even more courage to continue sharing His message.
"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.”…" — This prayer isn't just about asking God to stop the threats; it's a profound plea for God to enable them to speak His word with all boldness, recognizing that the power and courage to preach come d…
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Last reviewed October 2026
