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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Acts 4:29

ἔπιδε, look upon. The verb is employed in heathen writings very often of the oversight and notice of the gods, and is common in the LXX. for God’s providential care. Cf. Job 22:12; Psalms 112:6; Ezekiel 8:12, and 2Ma 7:6 ὁ κύριος ὁ θεὸς ἐφορᾷ.

δούλοις. The Apostles use this word of themselves, they are Christ’s bond-servants. For Jesus the word is παῖς. Cf. Acts 4:30. St Paul constantly calls himself δοῦλος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ or the like. Cf. Romans 1:1; Philippians 1:1; Titus 1:1, &c.

παρρησίας, boldness, freedom of speech, as above, Acts 4:13. Christ had promised that this should be given to them (Luke 21:15), and they are able to feel (cf. below, Acts 4:31) that His promise is fulfilled.

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See also Acts 4:29 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse 29. _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_...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    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 invol...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    CHAPTER 4 __ 1. Their Arrest (Acts 4:1). 2. The Result of the Testimony (Acts 4:4). 3. Peter and John before the Rulers and Elders (Acts 4:5). 4. Peter's bold witness ...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    RETURN OF THE APOSTLES TO THEIR OWN PEOPLE. The Christians are spoken of as if they lived together (_cf. Acts 1:14_, Acts 2:44) or at least had a hall where they could all meet. The prayer (Acts 4:24)...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    When they had been released, they came to their own people and they told them all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. When they had heard the story, with one accord, they lifted up the...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    ARREST (Acts 4:1-4)...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    NOW. as to the present. Greek. _tanun._. strong form of _num_. Only here, Acts 5:38; Acts 17:30; Acts 20:32; Acts 27:22. BEHOLD. Greek. epe

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    _behold their threatenings_ The Apostles are not disheartened, they are only drawing near to God for aid lest they should be in danger of becoming so. _with all boldness_ The same freedom of speech wh...

  • Charles Box Commentaries

    _THE APOSTLES IN THEIR OWN COMPANY ACTS 4:23-37:_ When the apostles came back to their own company they: (1) reported what commands and injunctions their accusers had lain upon them, (2) reported what...

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    ΈΠΙΔΕ _aor. imper. act. от_ ΈΦΟΡΆΩ (G1896) смотреть вверх. _Aor. imper._ призывает к специфическому действию с оттенком срочности, ΆΠΕΙΛΆΣ _acc. pl._ от ΑΠΕΙΛΉ (G547) угроза, ΔΌΣ _aor. imper. act. о...

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    THAT WITH ALL BOLDNESS, &C.— Compare Proverbs 16:1....

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    8. IN THE UPPER ROOM. Acts 4:28, Acts 5:11. a. The Prayer Service. Acts 4:23-31. Acts 4:23 And being let go, they came to their own company,

  • Combined Bible Commentary

    See notes on verse 23...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    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. Looking upon the threatenings of the...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    5 This was the supreme spiritual judiciary in Israel. It comprised the heads of the twenty-four courses of priests, the scribes, and elders, said to have been in all seventy-one. The names of the chie...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    ARREST OF PETER AND JOHN 1-22. Arrest of Peter and John. Peter's speech before the Sanhedrin. The proceedings of the Apostles displeased the authorities, (1) because they taught the people (Acts 4:2)...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

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  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    THAT WITH ALL BOLDNESS THEY MAY SPEAK THY WORD] rather, 'that with all boldness _we_ may speak thy word.'...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    GOOD NEWS FOR EVERYONE ACTS _MARION ADAMS_ CHAPTER 4 THE *JEWISH LEADERS ARREST PETER AND JOHN, 4:1-4 V1 Peter and John were speaking to the people. As they spoke, the priests, the captain of th...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    AND NOW, LORD, BEHOLD THEIR THREATENINGS. — The context shows that the prayer of the Church is addressed to the Father. The Apostles, who had shown “boldness of speech” (Acts 4:13), pray, as conscious...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    τὰ νῦν (_cf._ Acts 3:17) only used in the Acts 5:38; Acts 17:30; Acts 20:32; Acts 27:22,

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    HELP FROM ON HIGH Acts 4:23-35 Like draws to like; Judas went to his own place, and the Apostles to their own company. The best answer to threats is prayer. The Apostles' one petition just then was...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    Opposition to apostolic preaching and work seems to have originated mostly from the influence of the Sadducees. The preaching of the apostles contradicted all the cardinal elements in the Sadducean ph...

  • Gary Hampton Commentaries

    Compelled to Preach Peter and John made it clear that in their view the Sanhedrin had no authority to countermand a command from God. Further, they felt compelled, by the power of the things they had...

  • Godbey's Commentary on the New Testament

    SECOND PENTECOST 23-31. During the imprisonment and trial of Peter and John the one hundred and eighteen, with quite a host of the Pentecostal converts, are pushing the battle for God and souls on the...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. (24) And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accor...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    First of all we see man in an entirely new place man risen from among the dead and ascending to heaven. The risen ascended man, Christ Jesus, is the new starting-point of the dealings of God. The firs...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    29._And now O Lord. _They do very well extend that unto themselves which they cited concerning Christ; because he will not, be separated from the gospel; yea, what trouble so ever befalleth his member...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    In a word, they are invited to return by repentance, and enjoy all the promises made to Israel. The Messiah Himself should return from heaven to establish their blessing. The whole nation is here addr...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    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...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, Ver. 29. _Behold their threatenings_] The Church fares the better for the menace...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _And now, Lord_ As to what remains to accomplish this important scheme, of raising thy church on the sure foundation of thy Son's cross; _behold their threatenings_ With which they are endeavouring to...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    The conclusion of the prayer and its answer:...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    AND NOW, LORD, BEHOLD THEIR THREATENINGS, AND GRANT UNTO THY SERVANTS THAT WITH ALL BOLDNESS THEY MAY SPEAK THY WORD,...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    The religious leaders were greatly agitated by the public speaking of the apostles, and the Sadducees particularly, for one of their cardinal doctrines was the denial of any resurrection. They were ev...

  • Manly Luscombe Commentary on New Testament

    NOW, LORD, LOOK ON THEIR THREATS, AND GRANT TO YOUR SERVANTS THAT WITH ALL BOLDNESS THEY MAY SPEAK YOUR WORD, 1. They did NOT pray a prayer of imprecation. They did not ask that these men be destroye...

  • Mark Dunagan Commentaries

    And now, Lord, look upon their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants to speak thy word with all boldness, 'LOOK UPON'-Could mean, simply take note of. Or it could involve of ideas of frustrating...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    23-31 Christ's followers do best in company, provided it is their own company. It encourages God's servants, both in doing work, and suffering work, that they serve the God who made all things, and t...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    BEHOLD THEIR THREATENINGS; they had acknowledged God the Maker of heaven, ACTS 4:24, and accordingly here they desire that from heaven his dwelling place he would behold them and their sufferings; as...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Acts 4:29 G2532 Now G3569 Lord G2962 look G1896 (G5628) G1909 their G846 threats G547 and G

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    “And now, Lord, look on their threatenings, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness,” But now that was all over. Jesus Christ had risen, and it was now their responsibility to...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    GOD'S RESPONSE TO THE WARNINGS OF THE SANHEDRIN (4:23-31)....

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    _The Apostles with their own People after their Release,_ 23-31. The prayer of the Church of Jerusalem to God to support and defend the threatened and persecuted followers of His Son, and the answer...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    Acts 4:29. AND NOW, LORD, GRANT THAT WITH ALL BOLDNESS THEY MAY SPEAK THY WORD. It is well worthy of notice in this first great public prayer of the Church, how the Spirit of their Master had sunk int...

  • Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament

    AND NOW (κα τα νυν). "And as to (accusative of general reference) the now things (the present situation)." Only in the Acts in the N.T. (Acts 5:38; Acts 17:30; Acts 20:32;...

  • Sermon Bible Commentary

    Acts 4:23 I. The whole Church is interested in the proceedings of its individual members. II. The right method of treating opposition to the Kingdom of Christ. III. The spiritual and social results...

  • Sermon Bible Commentary

    Acts 4 Before the Council From this section of Apostolic history we may draw the following practical inferences: I. We may learn that if we are Christ's disciples we may expect to encounter antagon...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Peter and John were summoned before the priests to give an account for having healed the lame man, and for having preached in the name of Jesus of Nazareth. In the eighth verse we read: Acts 4:8. The...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: The first persecution. Peter's address to the Sanhedrin. Preaching in Jesus' name forbidden. Christians again filled with the Spirit. State of the Church at Jerusalem. CHARACTERS: God, Jesu...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Acts 4:1. _The captain of the temple_ was the captain of the watch, and saw that the levites performed their duty day and night. He beat them and set fire to their garments, if he found them asleep on...

  • The Bible Study New Testament

    AND NOW, LORD. They do not ask to be saved from pain, persecution, or death. They ask for: (1) boldness in speaking; (2) proof of the power of THE NAME. Their prayer is directed toward the mission Chr...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    AND NOW, LORD, BEHOLD THEIR THREATENINGS_._ How a Christian ought to pray for his enemies I. Without anxiety and fear: for he prays to the King of kings. “If God be for us, who can be against us?”...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _And being let go, they went to their own company._ BEING LET GO We do not know what we or other people are until the restraint is taken off. We call ourselves free, but there is not an absolutely f...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor to teach in the name of Jesus._ CHRISTIAN COURAGE I. Its test. The apostles did not wish to separate themselves from the Jewish Churc...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 4:29 Their prayer for BOLDNESS in witness shows a determination to disobey the Sanhedrin’s command and be faithful in their witness. ⇐

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 4:24 The believers prayed, quoting Psalms 2:1, a messianic prophecy. ⇐...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _CRITICAL REMARKS_ Acts 4:23. THEIR OWN COMPANY.—Not the apostles merely, but their friends in the faith generally. Acts 4:24. O LORD!—Addressed not to Christ, as in Acts 1:24, who, however, is also...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION ACTS 4:1 THE CAPTAIN OF THE TEMPLE. Only here and Acts 5:24, and Luke 22:4, Luke 22:52 in the plural some

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    Now as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    1 Thessalonians 2:2; 2 Timothy 1:7; 2 Timothy 1:8; 2 Timothy 4:17;...

  • Wells of Living Water Commentary

    THE RESULTS OF A FAITHFUL TESTIMONY Acts 4:13 INTRODUCTORY WORDS A real problem presented itself to the rulers of the Jews. They were greatly perturbed by the preaching of the disciples, and by the...

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Old Testament