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.