Commentary on Acts 4:23-31

After they had been released by the Jewish leaders following their arrest and interrogation, and had been given strict warnings not to continue what they were doing, Peter and John went back to their community and related all about their experience.  This was possibly the same ‘upper room’ where the Apostles had met before and where the community may have continued to assemble.

The whole community then prayed.  They recalled the words of the psalmist who asks why the Gentiles and the princes of the world conspire against the Lord and his anointed.  Here we see in the unbelieving Romans the ‘Gentiles’, and Herod and Pilate represented by the ‘kings’ and ‘princes’.  They have gathered against the Lord and his anointed.  The word ‘anointed’ in Greek translates as ‘Christ’ (christos).  The Herod in question is Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee and Perea from 4 BC to AD 39.  He was the one who executed John the Baptist and before whom Jesus appeared during his trial.  Acts will later describe his rather gruesome death.  Pontius Pilate, of course, was the same Roman procurator who had Jesus crucified.

Yet they recognise that all of this had been foreseen by God. About Jesus’ enemies, Scripture says:

…Have you not heard
that I determined it long ago?
I planned from days of old
what now I bring to pass… (Is 37:26)

It was not that God forced them to act as they did, but that their freely chosen decisions were foreseen by God and would become part of his plan of salvation.

They beg the Lord, as persecution is also extended to them, that God will be with them through:

…signs and wonders…performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.

It is good for us too to be aware that, when as individuals or communities, we are true to the living out of our Christian faith, we can expect to face criticism, opposition, abuse and ridicule. Then we must also pray for the Lord’s assurance, protection and guidance. We do not necessarily expect those against us to change their minds, but we ask for the strength to continue being faithful to our convictions and the search for truth and goodness.

Then, suddenly, the place where the community is praying begins to shake and they are filled with the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of the Father and Jesus. Their prayer for strength and courage has been heard. Jesus had said:

Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. (John 16:23)

It is a mini-Pentecost and enables them to go out and proclaim the Good News with renewed confidence, unafraid of the threats and dangers that await them.