Believers Pray for Boldness
Acts 4:23-31
Acts.4.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Απολυθεντες: VERB,aor,pas,part,nom,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- ηλθον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- προς: PREP
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- ιδιους: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- απηγγειλαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- οσα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- προς: PREP
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- αρχιερεις: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- πρεσβυτεροι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- ειπαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
Parallels
- Acts 3:11-26 (structural): Same episode's immediate background: Peter and John are recognized after the healing, face the crowd and the Jewish leaders—sets up the arrest/hearing sequence that culminates in 4:23 (returning to report to the brethren).
- Acts 5:17-42 (structural): Another scene where apostles are seized, brought before the council, disciplined and released; like 4:23 it depicts confrontation with the authorities and the community's response afterward (reporting, prayer, continued witness).
- Acts 12:1-17 (thematic): Peter's arrest and miraculous release parallels the pattern of persecution, divine deliverance, and the subsequent interaction with the believing community (reporting, amazement, prayer).
- Luke 24:33-35 (verbal): After an extraordinary event the two (and then the eleven) 'returned' and 'reported' to the others—Luke uses the same verb (ἀπήγγειλαν) and a similar scene of informing the community about authoritative/intervening actions of God.
Alternative generated candidates
- When they were released, they went to their own and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them.
- And when they were released, they went to their own and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them.
Acts.4.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- ακουσαντες: PTCP,aor,act,nom,pl,m
- ομοθυμαδον: ADV
- ηραν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- φωνην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- προς: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- θεον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ειπαν·Δεσποτα: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- συ: PRON,nom,sg,2
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- ποιησας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,m,sg
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- ουρανον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- γην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- θαλασσαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- παντα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- εν: PREP
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
Parallels
- Acts 14:15 (verbal): Paul and Barnabas address the people with virtually the same creator-formula, 'the God who made heaven and earth and the sea and all that is in them,' echoing the language of Acts 4:24.
- Acts 17:24 (verbal): Paul's address at Athens calls God 'the God who made the world and everything in it,' a closely related expression of divine creator sovereignty.
- Psalm 146:6 (quotation): The psalm declares God 'who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them,' a near-verbatim LXX wording that the early Christians draw on in prayer.
- Genesis 1:1 (thematic): The foundational assertion of God as Creator of heaven and earth undergirds Acts 4:24's opening petition and provides the theological backdrop for the prayer.
- Romans 1:20 (thematic): Paul's argument that God's invisible attributes are perceived in creation resonates with Acts 4:24's appeal to God as maker of heaven, earth, and sea—affirming revelation through the created order.
Alternative generated candidates
- And when they heard it, they raised their voices together to God and said, "Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them,
- And when they heard it, they lifted their voice to God with one accord and said, "Sovereign Lord, you are the God who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them."
Acts.4.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- πατρος: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- δια: PREP
- πνευματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- αγιου: ADJ,gen,sg,n
- στοματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- Δαυιδ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- παιδος: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- ειπων·Ινατι: PTCP,aor,act,nom,sg,m
- εφρυαξαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- εθνη: NOUN,acc,pl,neut
- και: CONJ
- λαοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- εμελετησαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- κενα: ADJ,acc,pl,n
Parallels
- Psalm 2:1 (quotation): Acts 4:25 is a direct citation of Psalm 2:1 (LXX), quoting the opening line, “Why did the nations rage...,” and explicitly attributes it to David by the Spirit.
- Acts 4:26 (structural): The very next verse continues the same citation of Psalm 2 (Acts 4:25–26), forming a contiguous quotation used by the apostles in their prayer.
- Acts 13:33 (verbal): Paul quotes Psalm 2:7 in his Antioch sermon to argue Jesus' messianic sonship and resurrection, showing how the early church applied Psalm 2’s language to Christ.
- Hebrews 1:5 (verbal): The author of Hebrews cites “You are my Son” from Psalm 2:7 to demonstrate the superiority and sonship of the risen Christ, reflecting the same messianic use of Psalm 2 found in Acts.
Alternative generated candidates
- who by the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit,
- Who, by the mouth of our father David your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, "Why did the nations rage, and the peoples devise vain things?"
Acts.4.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- παρεστησαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- βασιλεις: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- γης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- αρχοντες: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- συνηχθησαν: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,pl
- επι: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- αυτο: PRON,acc,sg,neut
- κατα: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- κατα: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Psalm 2:1 (quotation): Acts 4:26 is a direct citation of Psalm 2:1 (LXX/MT) — the kings and rulers of the earth conspiring against the Lord and his Anointed.
- Psalm 2:2 (quotation): Closely connected to Psalm 2:1; the following line (‘they plot together…’) completes the Psalm 2 setting that Acts cites to interpret opposition to Jesus.
- John 11:47-48 (thematic): The chief priests and Pharisees gather to decide how to deal with Jesus — an NT example of religious/political leaders conspiring against the Lord’s messenger, echoing the Psalm/Acts motif.
- Luke 22:2 (thematic): The chief priests and scribes seek a way to kill Jesus, reflecting the same theme of rulers plotting against the Lord and his Anointed found in Psalm 2 and cited in Acts.
Alternative generated candidates
- 'Why did the nations rage, and the peoples plot vain things? The kings of the earth took their stand, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against his Christ.'"
- The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against his Christ.
Acts.4.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- συνηχθησαν: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,pl
- γαρ: PART
- επ᾽αληθειας: ADV
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- πολει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- ταυτη: PRO,dat,sg,f
- επι: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- αγιον: ADJ,acc,sg,neut
- παιδα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- Ιησουν: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- ον: PART,pres,act,nom,sg,m
- εχρισας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,sg,m
- Ηρωδης: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- τε: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- Ποντιος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- Πιλατος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- συν: PREP
- εθνεσιν: NOUN,dat,pl,n
- και: CONJ
- λαοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- Ισραηλ: NOUN,voc,sg,m
Parallels
- Psalm 2:1-2 (quotation): Acts 4:25–26 explicitly cites Psalm 2:1–2 (the rulers and peoples plotting against the Lord and his anointed), and 4:27 continues that citation by naming those who conspired against Jesus.
- Psalm 2:7 (allusion): Psalm 2's messianic sonship/affirmation ('You are my Son') and the concept of the Lord's anointed underlie Acts' description of Jesus as God's anointed—linking Jesus' suffering to the psalm's messianic horizon.
- Isaiah 52:13–53:12 (Suffering Servant) (thematic): The phrase 'your holy servant' and the motif of an innocent, suffering servant who experiences rejection and opposition echoes Isaiah's Suffering Servant tradition applied to Jesus.
- Acts 3:13-15 (structural): Earlier in Luke–Acts Peter similarly charges Israel and its leaders with handing Jesus over and killing him; Acts 4:27 repeats the theme that rulers and the people together opposed God's anointed.
Alternative generated candidates
- For truly in this city both Herod and Pontius Pilate, together with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, were gathered,
- For truly in this city both Herod and Pontius Pilate, together with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, were gathered against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed.
Acts.4.28 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ποιησαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- οσα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- χειρ: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- και: CONJ
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- βουλη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- προωρισεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- γενεσθαι: VERB,aor,mid,inf
Parallels
- Psalm 2:1-2 (quotation): Acts 4:25–26 explicitly cites Psalm 2:1–2 in the prayer that frames v.28; the psalm’s theme of nations and rulers conspiring against the Lord’s anointed sets the context for God’s sovereign plan referenced in v.28.
- Acts 2:23 (verbal): Peter says Jesus was ‘delivered up by the determined plan and foreknowledge of God’ (ἑτέρᾳ προγεγραμμένῃ), directly paralleling Acts 4:28’s language of God’s hand and counsel pre‑determining events.
- Acts 3:18 (verbal): Peter again declares that what happened to Jesus was ‘foretold by God’ through the prophets, stressing that the suffering was part of God’s prior purpose—echoing the predestination language of 4:28.
- Isaiah 53:10 (thematic): ‘It was the LORD’s will to crush him’ (LXX: pleased the Lord) expresses the same idea that the servant’s suffering occurred according to divine purpose—themes of willing, sovereign causation parallel Acts 4:28.
- Luke 24:26 (thematic): Jesus tells the disciples that ‘it was necessary’ for the Christ to suffer, reflecting the New Testament conviction (as in Acts 4:28) that the crucifixion occurred in accordance with God’s predetermined plan.
Alternative generated candidates
- to do whatever your hand and your counsel had determined beforehand should come to pass.
- To do whatever your hand and your counsel had determined beforehand should take place.
Acts.4.29 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- νυν: ADV
- κυριε: NOUN,voc,sg,m
- επιδε: INTJ
- επι: PREP
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- απειλας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- δος: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,sg
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- δουλοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- μετα: PREP
- παρρησιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- πασης: ADJ,gen,sg,f
- λαλειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- λογον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
Parallels
- Acts 4:31 (structural): Immediate narrative fulfillment of the prayer: the believers are filled with the Holy Spirit and speak the word with 'parrēsia' (boldness), directly echoing the request of 4:29.
- Acts 5:29–42 (thematic): A parallel episode in which the apostles face official threats but refuse to be silenced, proclaiming the message boldly—illustrates the same tension of threats and fearless witness.
- Luke 21:12–13 (thematic): Jesus predicts that persecutions will lead to testimony before rulers and authorities—connects the reality of threats with the calling to speak the word.
- Ephesians 6:19–20 (verbal): Paul asks for prayer that he may proclaim the gospel with clarity and boldness (opening his mouth with confidence), a similar petition for bold speech in the face of opposition.
- Colossians 4:3–4 (verbal): Paul requests prayer for an open door and clear, bold proclamation of the mystery of Christ—parallels Acts 4:29’s appeal for boldness to speak the word.
Alternative generated candidates
- And now, Lord, look upon their threats, and grant to your servants boldness to speak your word with all courage.
- And now, Lord, look upon their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness,
Acts.4.30 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- χειρα: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- εκτεινειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- σε: PRON,acc,sg,2
- εις: PREP
- ιασιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- σημεια: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- και: CONJ
- τερατα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- γινεσθαι: VERB,pres,mid,inf
- δια: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- ονοματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- αγιου: ADJ,gen,sg,n
- παιδος: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 3:6,16 (verbal): Peter heals the lame man 'in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth' and attributes the miracle to faith in Jesus' name—same formula of healing through Jesus' name as in Acts 4:30.
- Acts 5:12 (thematic): Describes 'signs and wonders' performed among the people by the apostles, echoing the petition in Acts 4:30 for signs and wonders to be done.
- Mark 16:17-18 (thematic): Jesus promises that signs will accompany believers (including healing by laying on of hands), paralleling the expectation of healings and signs through Jesus' name in Acts 4:30.
- Acts 9:34 (verbal): Peter tells Aeneas 'Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed,' a direct instance of healing invoked in Jesus' name similar to the request of Acts 4:30.
Alternative generated candidates
- Stretch out your hand to heal, and let signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.
- while you stretch out your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.
Acts.4.31 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- δεηθεντων: VERB,aor,pass,ptc,gen,pl,masc
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- εσαλευθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- τοπος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- ω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- ησαν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- συνηγμενοι: VERB,perf,pass,ptc,nom,pl,masc
- και: CONJ
- επλησθησαν: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,pl
- απαντες: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- αγιου: ADJ,gen,sg,n
- πνευματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- ελαλουν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- λογον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- μετα: PREP
- παρρησιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Acts 2:1-4 (verbal): The disciples are filled with the Holy Spirit and speak (Acts 2:4); parallels the filling by the Spirit and bold proclamation in Acts 4:31.
- Acts 4:29-30 (structural): Immediate context: the prayer for boldness and for God to stretch out his hand and signs; Acts 4:31 reports the result—the place shaken and they filled with the Spirit, speaking God's word with boldness.
- Acts 13:52 (thematic): After bold witness, the believers are described as filled with joy and the Holy Spirit; echoes the link between Spirit-empowerment and bold proclamation in Acts 4:31.
- Luke 24:49 (thematic): Jesus’ promise that the disciples will be clothed with power from on high to be witnesses correlates with Acts 4:31’s Spirit-empowerment enabling bold witness.
- Ephesians 6:19 (thematic): Paul’s request to pray for boldness in speaking the gospel parallels the motif in Acts 4:31 of Spirit-given boldness to proclaim God’s word.
Alternative generated candidates
- When they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
- When they had prayed, the place in which they were assembled was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.
When they were released, they went to their companions and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them.
When they heard it, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said,
'Sovereign Lord, you who made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them; who by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David your servant, said, Why did the nations rage, and the peoples plot vain things?'
'The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers gathered together against the Lord and against his Anointed.'
For truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel,
to do whatever your hand and your counsel had foreordained to take place. And now, Lord, look upon their threats, and grant to your servants that they may speak your word with boldness,
while you stretch out your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.
When they had prayed, the place where 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.