By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

ACTS 4:30KJV
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Acts 4:30 (KJV)

What does Acts 4:30 mean?

Acts 4:30 describes a prayer asking God to show His power by healing people and performing miraculous signs and wonders through the name of Jesus, whom they call God’s holy servant. The verse shows the early Christians seeking God’s direct involvement as they continue spreading the message about Jesus.

The setting is a prayer spoken by the early believers in Jerusalem after Peter and John were threatened by religious leaders for healing a man and teaching about Jesus. The believers ask God to continue working through them, specifically mentioning healing and miracles as signs that confirm their message about Jesus. This verse highlights their dependence on God’s power and their belief that miracles would point people to Jesus.

The Greek behind Acts 4:30

  • χεῖρ (cheir, “hand”): The word for "hand" here often symbolizes God’s active power or intervention, not just a physical hand. The believers are asking for God’s direct action in their situation.
  • σημεῖα (sēmeia, “signs”) and τέρατα (terata, “wonders”): These two words are paired to describe miracles that both point to a deeper meaning (signs) and cause amazement (wonders). The use of both terms stresses that the miracles are not just displays of power but meaningful acts that reveal something about God.
  • παιδός (paidos, “child” or “servant”): This word can mean either “child” or “servant.” In this context, it refers to Jesus as God’s chosen one, emphasizing both His special relationship to God and His role in carrying out God’s work.

Why Acts 4:30 matters

  • Acts 4:30 clarifies that the early Christians did not claim power for themselves but asked God to act through them, keeping the focus on God’s authority.
  • The verse connects the miracles to the name of Jesus, showing that the early church saw Jesus as central to God’s ongoing work.
  • This prayer ties into the wider story of Acts, where signs and wonders often accompany the spread of the gospel, confirming the message and encouraging boldness among the believers.

Where else these words appear

“heal” Greek G2392 · used in 3 verses

  • Luke 13:32 And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.
  • Acts 4:22 For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.

“forth” Greek G1614 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 8:3 And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
  • Matthew 26:51 And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear.
  • Luke 6:10 And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other.

“wonders” Greek G5059 · used in 16 verses

  • Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
  • Acts 2:43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
  • Acts 15:12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

“child” Greek G3816 · used in 24 verses

  • Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
  • Matthew 21:15 And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased,
  • Luke 12:45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;