Acts 4:29

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

Acts 4:29 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 4:29

And now, Lord, behold their threatenings
Meaning not with his eye of omniscience, which he could not but do; but that he would so take notice of them, as in his providence to rebuke them for them, or restrain them, or make them fearless of them: and grant unto thy servants;
the apostles, and all the ministers of the word, who are the servants of the most high God, and who serve him in the Gospel of his Son, with great cheerfulness and faithfulness: that with all boldness they may speak thy word;
and not their own, or another's; the Gospel, which is God's speech, or a word, a message of grace and mercy from him to sinful creatures. The request of the whole church is, that the ministers of the word might not be intimidated by the menaces of the sanhedrim; but go on to declare it with all freedom of expression, with all boldness, courage, and intrepidity of mind, and all openness and faithfulness, and in the most public manner. And such a petition shows, that as it is gift of God to speak his word, or preach his Gospel, so it also is, to speak it freely, boldly, and faithfully, as it should be spoken.

Acts 4:29 In-Context

27 For of a truth against thy holy servant Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together (in this city),

28 to do that which thy hand and thy counsel had determined beforehand must be done.

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

30 that thou might stretch forth thine hand so that healings and signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy slave Jesus.

31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.