New International VersionPeter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!
New Living TranslationBut Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority.
English Standard VersionBut Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.
Berean Standard BibleBut Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.
Berean Literal BibleBut Peter and the apostles answering said, "It is necessary to obey God rather than men.
King James BibleThen Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
New King James VersionBut Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.
New American Standard BibleBut Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.
NASB 1995But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.
NASB 1977But Peter and the apostles answered and said, “We must obey God rather than men.
Legacy Standard BibleBut Peter and the apostles answered and said, “We must obey God rather than men.
Amplified BibleThen Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men [we have no other choice].
Christian Standard BiblePeter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than people.
Holman Christian Standard BibleBut Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.
American Standard VersionBut Peter and the apostles answered and said, We must obey God rather than men.
Contemporary English VersionPeter and the apostles replied: We don't obey people. We obey God.
English Revised VersionBut Peter and the apostles answered and said, We must obey God rather than men.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationPeter and the other apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than people.
Good News TranslationPeter and the other apostles answered, "We must obey God, not men.
International Standard VersionBut Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men!
NET BibleBut Peter and the apostles replied, "We must obey God rather than people.
New Heart English BibleBut Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than people.
Webster's Bible TranslationThen Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
Weymouth New TestamentPeter and the other Apostles replied, "We must obey God rather than man. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBut Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.
World English BibleBut Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Peter and the apostles answering, said, “It is required to obey God, rather than men;
Berean Literal BibleBut Peter and the apostles answering said, "It is necessary to obey God rather than men.
Young's Literal Translation And Peter and the apostles answering, said, 'To obey God it behoveth, rather than men;
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd Peter having answered, and the sent, said, We must obey God rather than men. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut Peter and the apostles answering, said: We ought to obey God, rather than men.
Catholic Public Domain VersionBut Peter and the Apostles responded by saying: “It is necessary to obey God, more so than men.
New American BibleBut Peter and the apostles said in reply, “We must obey God rather than men.
New Revised Standard VersionBut Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThen Simon Peter with the rest of the apostles answered and said to them, We must obey God rather than men.
Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishShimeon answered with the Apostles and said to them, “God ought to be obeyed more than men.” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentBut Peter and the apostles answered and said: "We must obey God rather than men.
Godbey New TestamentBut Peter and the apostles responding said, It behooves us to obey God rather than men.
Haweis New TestamentThen Peter and the apostles answering said, We must obey God rather than men.
Mace New Testamentthen Peter and the other apostles made answer, we ought to obey God rather than men.
Weymouth New TestamentPeter and the other Apostles replied, "We must obey God rather than man.
Worrell New TestamentBut Peter and the apostles, answering, said, "It is proper to obey God rather than men.
Worsley New TestamentBut Peter, and the other apostles, answered, and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Apostles Before the Council… 28“We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us responsible for this man’s blood.” 29ButPeterandtheother apostlesreplied,“We must obeyGodratherthanmen.30The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging Him on a tree.…
Cross References Acts 4:19-20But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than God. / For we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
Matthew 10:28Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Galatians 1:10Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Romans 13:1-2Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. / Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
Daniel 3:16-18Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. / If the God whom we serve exists, then He is able to deliver us from the blazing fiery furnace and from your hand, O king. / But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden statue you have set up.”
Daniel 6:10Now when Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house, where the windows of his upper room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before.
Exodus 1:17The midwives, however, feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt had instructed; they let the boys live.
1 Samuel 15:24Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned; I have transgressed the LORD’s commandment and your instructions, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.
1 Kings 18:18“I have not troubled Israel,” Elijah replied, “but you and your father’s house have, for you have forsaken the commandments of the LORD and have followed the Baals.
Jeremiah 26:12-15But Jeremiah said to all the officials and all the people, “The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that you have heard. / So now, correct your ways and deeds, and obey the voice of the LORD your God, so that He might relent of the disaster He has pronounced against you. / As for me, here I am in your hands; do to me what you think is good and right. ...
Matthew 22:21“Caesar’s,” they answered. So Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
Luke 12:4-5I tell you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. / But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear the One who, after you have been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him!
John 12:43For they loved praise from men more than praise from God.
1 Corinthians 4:3-4I care very little, however, if I am judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. / My conscience is clear, but that does not vindicate me. It is the Lord who judges me.
1 Peter 2:13-14Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority, / or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right.
Treasury of Scripture Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. We. Acts 4:19
But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. Genesis 3:17
And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursedis the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eatof it all the days of thy life; 1 Samuel 15:24
And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice. Jump to Previous ApostlesBehovethGodObeyObeyedOrdersOughtPeterRatherJump to Next ApostlesBehovethGodObeyObeyedOrdersOughtPeterRatherActs 5 1.After that Ananias and Sapphira his wife,3.at Peter's rebuke had fallen down dead;12.and that the rest of the apostles had wrought many miracles;14.to the increase of the faith;17.the apostles are again imprisoned;19.but delivered by an angel bidding them preach openly to all;21.when, after their teaching accordingly in the temple,29.and before the council,33.they are in danger to be killed;34.but through the advice of Gamaliel, they are kept alive, and are only beaten;41.for which they glorify God, and cease no day from preaching.But Peter and the other apostles repliedThis phrase highlights the collective response of the apostles, led by Peter, to the Sanhedrin. The apostles were unified in their mission and message, demonstrating the early church's commitment to the teachings of Jesus. Peter, often seen as the spokesperson, reflects his leadership role among the apostles. This moment occurs in Jerusalem, the center of Jewish religious authority, where the apostles were brought before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council, for preaching about Jesus. We must obey God
This statement underscores the apostles' unwavering commitment to divine authority over human authority. It reflects a fundamental principle in Christian theology: God's commands take precedence over human laws when the two are in conflict. This echoes the teachings of Jesus, who emphasized the importance of following God's will (Matthew 6:10). The apostles' conviction is rooted in their direct experiences with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, which empowered them to prioritize God's directives. rather than men
The apostles' declaration sets a clear boundary between divine and human authority. This phrase is significant in the context of the early church's persecution, as it highlights the tension between the nascent Christian movement and established religious authorities. The apostles' choice to obey God over men is a recurring theme in Scripture, seen in the lives of figures like Daniel (Daniel 6) and the Hebrew midwives (Exodus 1:17), who also chose to follow God's commands despite human opposition. This principle continues to resonate with believers facing similar dilemmas throughout history. Persons / Places / Events 1. PeterOne of the twelve apostles, a leading figure in the early Christian church, known for his boldness and leadership. 2. The ApostlesThe group of Jesus' closest followers who were tasked with spreading His teachings after His resurrection. 3. SanhedrinThe Jewish council and court that held authority over religious matters in Jerusalem. They were responsible for questioning the apostles. 4. JerusalemThe city where these events took place, a central location for early Christian activity. 5. The High PriestThe religious leader who, along with the Sanhedrin, opposed the apostles' teachings about Jesus. Teaching Points Obedience to God as SupremeActs 5:29 underscores the principle that God's commands take precedence over human authority when the two are in conflict. Courage in FaithThe apostles' response to the Sanhedrin exemplifies the courage required to stand firm in one's faith, even in the face of opposition. Discernment in AuthorityWhile Christians are called to respect earthly authorities, discernment is necessary to recognize when obedience to God requires a different path. Witness through ActionThe apostles' boldness serves as a witness to their unwavering commitment to Christ, encouraging believers to live out their faith visibly. Historical ConsistencyThe theme of choosing God's will over human demands is consistent throughout Scripture, providing a model for believers in all eras. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Acts 5
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What does 'obey God rather than men' mean?(29) Then Peter and the other apostles.--The whole company of the Twelve, it must be remembered, were now the objects of attack, and they all accept Peter as their spokesman. We ought to obey God rather than men.--The words are an assertion of the same general law of duty as that ofActs 4:19-20, but the command of the angel inActs 5:20 had given them a new significance. Verse 29.- But for then, A.V.; the apostles for the other apostles, A.V.; must for ought to, A.V. Peter is the spokesman, the sentiment is that of the united apostolate. Must obey God, etc. The rule is a golden one for all men, all circumstances, and all time (comp. Acts 4:19). Peter does not deny having received the prohibition, but pleads the superior force of the command of God, as set forth in the following verses.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek Butδὲ(de)Conjunction
Strong's 1161:A primary particle; but, and, etc.PeterΠέτρος(Petros)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4074:Peter, a Greek name meaning rock. Apparently a primary word; a rock; as a name, Petrus, an apostle.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.theοἱ(hoi)Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.other apostlesἀπόστολοι(apostoloi)Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 652:From apostello; a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ.replied,Ἀποκριθεὶς(Apokritheis)Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 611:From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak.“We must obeyΠειθαρχεῖν(Peitharchein)Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 3980:From a compound of peitho and archo; to be persuaded by a ruler, i.e. to submit to authority; by analogy, to conform to advice.GodΘεῷ(Theō)Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316:A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.ratherμᾶλλον(mallon)Adverb
Strong's 3123:More, rather. Neuter of the comparative of the same as malista; more) or rather.thanἢ(ē)Conjunction
Strong's 2228:Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.men.ἀνθρώποις(anthrōpois)Noun - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 444:A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.
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NT Apostles: Acts 5:29 But Peter and the apostles answered We (Acts of the Apostles Ac) |
