Acts 4:23-31

The Believers Pray for Boldness

23 When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard it, they lifted their voices p together to God and said, "Sovereign Lord, q who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them,

25 who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, 1 said by the Holy Spirit,
r "'Why did the Gentiles rage,
and the peoples plot in vain?
26 The kings of the earth set themselves,
and s the rulers were gathered together,
against the Lord and against his t Anointed' 2 -

27 for truly in this city there were gathered together against your u holy servant Jesus, v whom you anointed, both w Herod and x Pontius Pilate, along y with the Gentiles and z the peoples of Israel, 28 a to do whatever your hand and b your plan had predestined to take place. 29 And now, Lord, c look upon their threats and grant to your servants 3 to continue to speak your word with all d boldness, 30 while e you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed f through the name of your g holy servant Jesus." 31 And when they had prayed, h the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and i they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and j continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

  1. Cross References
    Acts 1:14
    All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
  2. Cross References
    Exodus 20:11
    For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth,...
    2 Chronicles 2:12
    Hiram also said, "Blessed be the Lord God of Is...
    Nehemiah 9:6
    You are the Lord, you alone. You have made heav...
    Psalms 102:25
    Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, an...
    Psalms 124:8
    Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made h...
    Psalms 134:3
    May the Lord bless you from Zion, he who made h...
    Psalms 146:6
    Who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all tha...
  3. Cross References
    Psalms 2:1 - 2
    Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?
  4. Cross References
    Psalms 2:1 - 2
    Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?
  5. Cross References
    Acts 4:5
    On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem.
  6. Cross References
    Acts 10:38
    How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
    Luke 4:18
    The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.
    Hebrews 1:9
    You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.
    Daniel 9:24
    Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place.
    Revelation 11:15
    Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.
  7. Cross References
    Acts 4:30
    While you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.
  8. Cross References
    Acts 4:26
    The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed' -
  9. Cross References
    Luke 23:7 - 11
    And when he learned that he belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time.
  10. Cross References
    Matthew 27:2
    And they bound him and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate the governor.
  11. Cross References
    Matthew 20:19
    And deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.
  12. Cross References
    Matthew 26:3
    Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas.
  13. Cross References
    Isaiah 46:10
    Declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.
  14. Cross References
    Acts 2:23
    This Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.
  15. Cross References
    2 Kings 19:16
    Incline your ear, O Lord, and hear; open your eyes, O Lord, and see; and hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to mock the living God.
  16. Cross References
    Acts 4:13
    Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and Joh...
    Acts 4:31
    And when they had prayed, the place in which th...
    Acts 9:27
    But Barnabas took him and brought him to the ap...
    Acts 9:29
    And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenist...
    Acts 13:46
    And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying,...
    Acts 14:3
    So they remained for a long time, speaking bold...
    Acts 18:26
    He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but ...
    Acts 19:8
    And he entered the synagogue and for three mont...
    Acts 28:31
    Proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching abo...
    Ephesians 6:19
    And also for me, that words may be given to me ...
  17. Cross References
    Psalms 138:7
    Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me.
    Proverbs 31:20
    She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.
    Isaiah 1:25
    I will turn my hand against you and will smelt away your dross as with lye and remove all your alloy.
    Zephaniah 1:4
    I will stretch out my hand against Judah and against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off from this place the remnant of Baal and the name of the idolatrous priests along with the priests.
  18. Cross References
    Acts 3:6
    But Peter said, "I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!
    Matthew 7:22
    On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?
    Mark 9:39
    But Jesus said, "Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me.
    Mark 16:17
    And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues.
  19. Cross References
    Acts 4:27
    For truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel.
  20. Cross References
    Acts 2:2
    And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.
    Acts 16:26
    And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened.
    Psalms 77:18
    The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind; your lightnings lighted up the world; the earth trembled and shook.
  21. Cross References
    Acts 2:4
    And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
  22. Cross References
    Philippians 1:14
    And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.