John Calvin Commentary Acts 4:29

"And now, Lord, look upon their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants to speak thy word with all boldness," — Acts 4:29 (ASV)

And now O Lord. They do very well to apply to themselves what they cited concerning Christ, because He will not be separated from the gospel. Indeed, whatever trouble befalls His members, He applies to His own person. And they implore God that He will suppress the cruelty of their adversaries; yet not so much for their own sake, so that they might live quietly and without trouble, as that they may have freedom to preach the gospel in all places.

Nor was it for them to desire a life they might spend idly, having forsaken their calling. For they add, "Grant to Your servants, O Lord, that they may speak boldly." And incidentally, we must note this part of their prayer: that the Lord would observe the threats against them.

For since it properly belongs to Him to resist the proud and to bring down their arrogant looks, the more proudly the adversaries brag and boast, the more they undoubtedly provoke God to be displeased with them. And there is no doubt that God, being offended by such indignity and cruelty, will redress it.

Thus Hezekiah, so that he might obtain help in extremity, declared before the Lord the arrogance of Sennacherib and his cruel threats (Isaiah 37:14 and 17). Therefore, let the cruelty and reproaches of our enemies stir up in us a desire to pray, rather than in any way discourage us from continuing in the course of our office.