Acts 5 32

Acts 5:32 kjv

And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

Acts 5:32 nkjv

And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him."

Acts 5:32 niv

We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him."

Acts 5:32 esv

And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him."

Acts 5:32 nlt

We are witnesses of these things and so is the Holy Spirit, who is given by God to those who obey him."

Acts 5 verses

Acts 5 32 Meaning

Acts 5:32 declares the apostles, specifically Peter, and the Holy Spirit as dual witnesses to the truths concerning Jesus Christ, particularly His resurrection and the events stemming from it. It also establishes a clear connection between God's bestowal of the Holy Spirit and the obedience of believers to His divine will.

Acts 5 32 Context

Acts chapter 5 continues the narrative of the early church in Jerusalem, marked by divine power, internal purity (Ananias and Sapphira), and escalating external opposition. After their initial arrest (Acts 4), the apostles are now miraculously freed from prison by an angel and immediately return to the temple to preach. When re-apprehended and brought before the Sanhedrin, the High Priest confronts them about defying the previous order not to teach in Jesus' name. Peter responds fearlessly, first with the unwavering principle from Acts 5:29, "We must obey God rather than men." Verse 32 directly follows, elaborating on their mandate and authority as witnesses, thereby affirming the truth of their message and challenging the Sanhedrin's rejection of God's will. The historical context includes the entrenched power of the Sanhedrin and their vested interest in maintaining their authority and the Jewish religious status quo, which felt threatened by the rapidly growing Christian movement centered on a resurrected Messiah whom they had crucified.

Acts 5 32 Word analysis

• We: The first-person plural pronoun, referring specifically to the apostles present, led by Peter, who speaks for them. It signifies their collective agreement and unified stance.
• are witnesses (μάρτυρές ἐσμεν, martyres esmen):
  • Martyres is the Greek root for "martyr," implying not merely someone who saw something but one who gives testimony even at the cost of suffering or death. It conveys an authoritative, truthful declaration based on direct observation.
  • This term emphasizes their role as reliable observers of the historical events surrounding Jesus, especially His resurrection. They are living proofs.
• of these things: Refers specifically to the facts previously stated in Peter's speech (Acts 5:30-31), particularly God's raising of Jesus, His exaltation as Prince and Savior, and the granting of repentance and forgiveness to Israel. It covers the entirety of the apostolic proclamation about Christ's life, death, resurrection, and ascension.
• and also: (καί, kai): The conjunction kai here functions additively, meaning "and also," or "even." It connects the apostles' human testimony with an even more profound, divine witness. This "also" indicates a significant pairing and validation. It is not just the apostles; God himself validates their message through the Holy Spirit.
• the Holy Spirit: (τὸ Πνεῦμα τὸ Ἅγιον, to Pneuma to Hagion):
  • Refers to the Third Person of the Trinity, actively working in the world.
  • The definite article highlights the specific, unique divine Spirit promised by Jesus and poured out at Pentecost.
  • The Spirit is God's ultimate validator and enabler of truth.
• Whom God has given: (ὃ ἔδωκεν ὁ Θεός, ho edōken ho Theos):
  • Edōken is an aorist active indicative verb, signifying a completed act in the past with ongoing effects. This refers to the specific giving of the Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2), which they had visibly experienced and which continued to empower them.
  • The phrase underlines divine initiative and grace. The Spirit is not earned but gifted.
• to those who obey Him: (τοῖς πειθαρχοῦσιν αὐτῷ, tois peitharchousin autō):
  • Peitharchousin is a present active participle of peitharcheō, meaning "to obey one in authority," or "to be obedient to a ruler." This implies continuous, habitual obedience, not a one-time act.
  • "Him" (αὐτῷ, autō) refers to God.
  • This phrase presents a critical condition: the Holy Spirit is given by God to those who submit to His authority and commands. It connects divine empowerment to human alignment with God's will.
  • Polemically, this statement is a direct challenge to the Sanhedrin, who, in Peter's view, were disobeying God by rejecting Jesus, hence demonstrating that they did not have the Spirit in this way.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• We are witnesses of these things: Establishes the apostolic claim to truth based on direct, undeniable experience. They are not theorizing but testifying to what they have seen, heard, and touched. This human witness is grounded in historical fact. It implies integrity and authority from the position of those chosen by God.
• and also the Holy Spirit: This phrase creates a profound corroboration. The human testimony of the apostles is divinely confirmed. It shows that the apostolic message is not merely human opinion but has divine backing. This spiritual witness brings conviction, power, and understanding beyond human capacity.
• whom God has given to those who obey Him: This defines the qualification for receiving this divine corroboration. It emphasizes that the Spirit's presence and power are not indiscriminate but are specifically bestowed upon those who live in submission and obedience to God's will. It serves as a stark contrast to the Sanhedrin, implying their disobedience prevents them from receiving the Spirit's testimony or understanding the divine truth. This challenges their presumed authority and religious standing.

Acts 5 32 Bonus section

The Sanhedrin's rejection of Jesus was ultimately an act of disobedience to God's ultimate plan, despite their perceived adherence to the Law. Peter's statement here highlights this deep spiritual chasm. The gift of the Spirit is not a static possession but a dynamic relationship sustained by obedience. The concept of God "giving" the Spirit directly connects to Joel 2:28-29, demonstrating that the outpouring witnessed at Pentecost (Acts 2) was the fulfillment of ancient prophecy, proving God's active involvement in the present events. The presence of the Spirit served as the empirical evidence of Christ's exaltation and vindication. This verse also contains a polemical point. By declaring the Spirit is given to those who obey God, Peter indirectly highlights the Sanhedrin's disobedience and their resulting spiritual blindness and lack of divine affirmation, effectively questioning their legitimacy as God's representatives. Their opposition was not just against men, but against the Spirit of God Himself.

Acts 5 32 Commentary

Acts 5:32 functions as Peter's concluding assertion of authority and truth before the Sanhedrin, building upon his earlier declaration, "We must obey God rather than men." The verse establishes a twofold witness: the apostles themselves, as eyewitnesses of Christ's resurrection and ascension, and the Holy Spirit, who divinely confirms this message and empowers their proclamation. This divine-human synergy lends undeniable credibility to their claims. The phrase "whom God has given to those who obey Him" serves a crucial role: it highlights that access to God's Spirit—and by extension, to true spiritual understanding and power—is conditional upon active, ongoing obedience to God. This not only explains why the apostles are empowered to speak boldly and perform signs, but also subtly (or not so subtly) rebukes the Sanhedrin for their disobedience, implicitly stating that their rejection of Christ disqualifies them from receiving this divine witness or understanding. It underscores a fundamental principle: genuine faith expresses itself in obedience, and divine empowerment accompanies such faithfulness. For example, if someone genuinely accepts Jesus as Lord and follows His commands, they will experience the guiding and empowering presence of the Spirit, validating the truth they proclaim and live by.