Acts 5:29 kjv
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
Acts 5:29 nkjv
But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men.
Acts 5:29 niv
Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than human beings!
Acts 5:29 esv
But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men.
Acts 5:29 nlt
But Peter and the apostles replied, "We must obey God rather than any human authority.
Acts 5 29 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 4:19-20 | But Peter and John answered...“Whether it is right... to listen to you rather than to God, you decide..." | Earlier declaration of the same principle by Peter and John. |
| Dan 3:18 | But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods... | Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego's defiance of Nebuchadnezzar's idolatrous command. |
| Dan 6:10 | When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house...and prayed... | Daniel's defiance of Darius's decree prohibiting prayer to anyone but the king. |
| Ex 1:17 | But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded... | Midwives defied Pharaoh's command to kill Hebrew male infants, fearing God more. |
| Matt 10:28 | And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul... | Fear God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell, more than fearful men. |
| John 12:42-43 | Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him... they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God. | Contrasts seeking human approval versus divine glory, leading to compromise. |
| Prov 29:25 | The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe. | Warns against succumbing to fear of human disapproval. |
| Isa 51:12 | “I, I am he who comforts you; who are you that you are afraid of man who dies... | A call to trust God and not be afraid of mere mortals. |
| Jer 1:17-19 | ...I am making you a fortified city, an iron pillar... They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you... | God's promise of protection for His prophet facing human opposition. |
| Eze 2:6 | And you, son of man, be not afraid of them, nor be afraid of their words... | God commissioning Ezekiel, telling him not to fear human opposition. |
| Rom 13:1-7 | Let every person be subject to the governing authorities...for there is no authority except from God... | Establishes the general Christian duty to obey earthly authorities, highlighting God's role in their establishment. |
| Titus 3:1 | Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work... | Reaffirms general submission to governing authorities for good. |
| 1 Pet 2:13-17 | Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution...fear God. Honor the emperor. | Reaffirms general submission, but qualifies with "fear God," implying the boundary. |
| Josh 24:15 | ...choose this day whom you will serve... as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” | Joshua's declaration of serving God regardless of what others choose. |
| 1 Sam 15:22 | And Samuel said, “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings... as in obeying the voice of the LORD?" | Emphasizes the supreme importance of obedience to God over ritual. |
| Acts 2:32 | This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. | The apostles' direct eyewitness testimony to Christ's resurrection, which they were forbidden to speak. |
| Acts 3:15 | ...you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. Of this we are witnesses. | Apostles commanded to stop speaking of Christ, yet they testify because it is God's truth. |
| Rev 14:12 | Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. | In eschatological context, highlights steadfastness in obeying God despite pressure. |
| Heb 11:23 | By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents...and were not afraid of the king's edict. | Moses' parents defying Pharaoh's decree because they trusted God. |
| Phil 2:9-11 | Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name... | Highlights God's supreme authority, to whom every knee will bow. |
| Matt 28:18-20 | And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." | Jesus' supreme authority grounds the apostles' mission and commands. |
Acts 5 verses
Acts 5 29 Meaning
Acts 5:29 proclaims a fundamental principle for believers: when commands from human authorities directly contradict the clear will and commands of God, the supreme obligation of the Christian is to obey God. This statement establishes the preeminence of divine authority over all human authority, underscoring that no earthly power can supersede God's decree.
Acts 5 29 Context
Acts 5:29 takes place immediately after the second arrest of the apostles in Jerusalem. The High Priest, infuriated by their continued preaching and healing (despite having previously commanded them not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus, Acts 4:18), confronts them with the accusation that they have "filled Jerusalem with your teaching" and intend to bring "this man's blood upon us" (Acts 5:28). This public confrontation before the Sanhedrin—the supreme Jewish religious and judicial council—sets the stage for Peter's decisive declaration. The apostles had just been miraculously released from prison by an angel and instructed by God to continue their public testimony in the Temple. Thus, their response is not merely defiance, but an affirmation of direct obedience to a divine command that superseded the human one. The historical context shows the nascent Christian church encountering significant opposition from the established religious powers who felt their authority, traditions, and interpretation of God's law challenged by the message of Jesus.
Acts 5 29 Word analysis
- Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said: This signifies a unified, authoritative declaration. While Peter often speaks for the group, the inclusion of "and the other apostles" underscores that this is a collective conviction, not just an individual stance.
- We ought: Greek: dei (δεῖ). This is a strong word denoting necessity, a divine imperative or a moral obligation. It's not a mere suggestion or preference but signifies what must be done as proper and binding according to divine will. It conveys a sense of inescapable duty stemming from a higher, transcendent source.
- to obey: Greek: peitharcheō (πειθαρχέω). This verb means to yield to persuasion, to obey a ruler or authority. In this context, it speaks of yielding to God's will and command as the ultimate authority, actively and consciously choosing compliance.
- God: Greek: Theos (Θεός). This is the absolute and ultimate divine Being, the Creator and Sovereign Lord. His character and commands are perfectly good and just, making Him the supreme moral authority. The contrast emphasizes His uniqueness and unrivaled position.
- rather than: Greek: mallon ē (μᾶλλον ἤ). This phrase clearly expresses a strong preference, indicating a choice where one option is decisively preferred or prioritized over another. It implies a direct conflict where a choice must be made.
- men: Greek: anthrōpōn (ἀνθρώπων). Refers to human beings. In this context, it specifically denotes human authorities, such as the Sanhedrin, whose commands are in direct opposition to God's. It underlines the contrast between fallible human decree and infallible divine command.
Words-group analysis
- We ought to obey God: This phrase lays down the absolute, non-negotiable obligation. The dei ("we ought") combined with "God" elevates the principle beyond mere human reasoning to a divine necessity rooted in God's very nature and His relationship with His creation.
- rather than men: This crucial contrasting phrase identifies the specific conflict point. It is not a general rejection of all human authority, but a principled stand when human commands are antithetical to God's. It delineates the boundary of legitimate human authority in the face of divine directives.
Acts 5 29 Bonus section
This declaration by Peter and the apostles is not a solitary outburst but represents a deeply rooted theological conviction echoed throughout biblical history, particularly in instances where God's faithful faced oppressive powers (e.g., the Hebrew midwives under Pharaoh, Daniel and his friends in Babylon). It solidifies a foundational aspect of prophetic and apostolic witness: courageous obedience to divine mandate regardless of the cost. This statement defines a core boundary for Christian liberty, marking when submission transitions into compromise. It requires a profound fear of God that supersedes all fear of man, enabling a counter-cultural stand rooted in a spiritual understanding of ultimate authority. The willingness to accept suffering for such a stance, demonstrated by the apostles following this declaration, further exemplifies the sincerity and depth of this conviction.
Acts 5 29 Commentary
Acts 5:29 stands as a pivotal declaration for understanding Christian freedom and responsibility. It articulates the core conviction that God's authority is absolute and superior to any human authority, especially when human commands demand disobedience to God. This principle doesn't negate the general command to submit to governing authorities (Rom 13:1-7; 1 Pet 2:13-17); rather, it defines the limits of that submission. Believers are called to obey human laws unless and until those laws directly conflict with God's clear commands. When such a conflict arises, a moral and spiritual imperative dictates that God's will must prevail. This applies to various scenarios: for instance, if a government demanded worship of idols, prohibited sharing the Gospel, or mandated actions clearly sinful in God's eyes. It necessitates discernment and a steadfast conscience guided by God's Word, acknowledging that upholding this principle may incur human displeasure or persecution, as it did for the apostles themselves.