"freedom in speaking, boldness of speech, Acts 4:13; παρρησίᾳ, as an adv., freely, boldly, Jn. 7:13, 26; so μετὰ παρρησίας, Acts 2:29; 4:29, 31; license, authority, Phlm. 8; confidence, assurance, 2 Cor. 7:4; Eph. 3:12; Heb. 3:6; 10:19; openness, frankness, 2 Cor. 3:12; παρρησίᾳ, ..."
Definition and meaning
freedom in speaking, boldness of speech, Acts 4:13; παρρησίᾳ, as an adv., freely, boldly, Jn. 7:13, 26; so μετὰ παρρησίας, Acts 2:29; 4:29, 31; license, authority, Phlm. 8; confidence, assurance, 2 Cor. 7:4; Eph. 3:12; Heb. 3:6; 10:19; openness, frankness, 2 Cor. 3:12; παρρησίᾳ, and ἐν παρρησίᾳ, adverbially, openly, plainly, perspicuously, unambiguously, Mk. 8:32; Jn. 10:24; publicly, before all, Jn. 7:4
In the original Greek the word is written: παρρησία
Historical context
The Gospel of Mark moves urgently — the word "immediately" appears over 40 times. It was written for a Roman audience familiar with power and action. Jesus is portrayed as a man who acts, heals, and commands authority that the Roman world had never seen from a Jewish teacher.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of parresia (G3954) across the King James Bible.
And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.
Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews.
But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ?
Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.
Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.
These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.
His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.
Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
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Common questions
Strong's G3954 (parresia) is a Greek word that means: freedom in speaking, boldness of speech, Acts 4:13; παρρησίᾳ, as an adv., freely, boldly, Jn. 7:13, 26; so μετὰ παρρησίας, Acts 2:29; 4:29, 31; license, authority, Phlm. 8; confidence, assurance, 2 Co... It appears 26 times in the King James Bible.
The word parresia (G3954) appears 26 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G3954 is parresia, a Greek word defined as: freedom in speaking, boldness of speech, Acts 4:13; παρρησίᾳ, as an adv., freely, boldly, Jn. 7:13, 26; so μετὰ παρρησίας, Acts 2:29; 4:29, 31; licens. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
parresia is a Greek word found in the New Testament.