Acts 4:19 But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to listen to you rather than God.

◄ Acts 4:19 ►

New International Version
But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges!

New Living Translation
But Peter and John replied, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him?

English Standard Version
But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge,

Berean Standard Bible
But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than God.

Berean Literal Bible
But Peter and John answering, said to them, "Whether it is right before God to listen to you, rather than God, you must judge.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge.

New American Standard Bible
But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, make your own judgment;

NASB 1995
But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge;

NASB 1977
But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge;

Legacy Standard Bible
But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to hear you rather than God, you be the judge;

Amplified Bible
But Peter and John replied to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you and obey you rather than God, you must judge [for yourselves];

Christian Standard Bible
Peter and John answered them, “Whether it’s right in the sight of God for us to listen to you rather than to God, you decide;

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it’s right in the sight of God for us to listen to you rather than to God, you decide;

American Standard Version
But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it is right in the sight of God to hearken unto you rather than unto God, judge ye:

Contemporary English Version
Peter and John answered, "Do you think God wants us to obey you or to obey him?

English Revised Version
But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you rather than unto God, judge ye:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Peter and John answered them, "Decide for yourselves whether God wants people to listen to you rather than to him.

Good News Translation
But Peter and John answered them, "You yourselves judge which is right in God's sight--to obey you or to obey God.

International Standard Version
But Peter and John answered them, "You must decide whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than God,

Majority Standard Bible
But Peter and John replied, ?Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God?s sight to listen to you rather than God.

NET Bible
But Peter and John replied, "Whether it is right before God to obey you rather than God, you decide,

New Heart English Bible
But Peter and John answered them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, judge for yourselves,

Webster's Bible Translation
But Peter and John answered and said to them, Whether it is right in the sight of God to hearken to you rather than to God, judge ye.

Weymouth New Testament
But Peter and John replied, "Judge whether it is right in God's sight to listen to you instead of listening to God.

World English Bible
But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, judge for yourselves,

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and Peter and John answering to them said, “Whether it is righteous before God to listen to you rather than to God, judge;

Berean Literal Bible
But Peter and John answering, said to them, "Whether it is right before God to listen to you, rather than God, you must judge.

Young's Literal Translation
and Peter and John answering unto them said, 'Whether it is righteous before God to hearken to you rather than to God, judge ye;

Smith's Literal Translation
And Peter and John having answered to them, said, If it is just before God to hear you rather than God, judge ye.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
But Peter and John answering, said to them: If it be just in the sight of God, to hear you rather than God, judge ye.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Yet truly, Peter and John said in response to them: “Judge whether it is just in the sight of God to listen to you, rather than to God.

New American Bible
Peter and John, however, said to them in reply, “Whether it is right in the sight of God for us to obey you rather than God, you be the judges.

New Revised Standard Version
But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge;

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
But Simon Peter and John answered and said to them, Whether it be right before God to listen to you more than to God, you judge.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Shimeon Kaypha and Yohannan answered and they said to them, “If it is right before God that one should listen to you rather than to God, you judge.”

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
But Peter and John answering them, said: Whether it is right in the sight of God to obey you rather than God, judge you.

Godbey New Testament
And Peter and John responding said to them, Whether it is right in the sight of God to hearken unto you rather than God, judge ye;

Haweis New Testament
But Peter and John, answering them, said, If it be right in the sight of God to obey you rather than God, be yourselves the judges.

Mace New Testament
but Peter and John made answer, do you yourselves judge, whether it be right in the sight of God, to obey you rather than God.

Weymouth New Testament
But Peter and John replied, "Judge whether it is right in God's sight to listen to you instead of listening to God.

Worrell New Testament
But Peter and John, answering, said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to hearken to you, rather than to God, judge ye;

Worsley New Testament
But Peter and John answered them, and said, Whether it be right in the sight of God to obey you rather than God, judge ye:

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Name Forbidden
…18Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than God. 20For we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Acts 5:29
But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.

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.”

Daniel 3:16-18
Shadrach, 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 6:10
Now 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 1:17
The midwives, however, feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt had instructed; they let the boys live.

Exodus 23:2
You shall not follow the crowd in wrongdoing. When you testify in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd.

1 Samuel 15:24
Then 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 18:21
Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him. But if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people did not answer a word.

Isaiah 8:12-13
“Do not call conspiracy everything these people regard as conspiracy. Do not fear what they fear; do not live in dread. / The LORD of Hosts is the One you shall regard as holy. Only He should be feared; only He should be dreaded.

Jeremiah 1:17-19
Get yourself ready. Stand up and tell them everything that I command you. Do not be intimidated by them, or I will terrify you before them. / Now behold, this day I have made you like a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land. / They will fight against you but will never overcome you, since I am with you to deliver you,” declares the LORD.

Ezekiel 2:6-7
But you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns surround you, and you dwell among scorpions. Do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their presence, though they are a rebellious house. / But speak My words to them, whether they listen or refuse to listen, for they are rebellious.

Matthew 10:28
Do 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.

Matthew 10:32-33
Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father in heaven. / But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father in heaven.

Luke 12:4-5
I 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 12:43
For they loved praise from men more than praise from God.

Treasury of Scripture

But Peter and John answered and said to them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, judge you.

Whether.

2 Corinthians 4:2
But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

Ephesians 6:1
Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

1 Timothy 2:3
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

to hearken.

Acts 5:29
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

Exodus 1:17
But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.

1 Kings 12:30
And this thing became a sin: for the people went to worship before the one, even unto Dan.

judge.

Psalm 58:1
To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David. Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?

John 7:24
Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

1 Corinthians 10:15
I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.

Jump to Previous

Attention Eyes God God's Hearken Heed Instead John Judge Listening Peter Rather Right Righteous Sight Whether Yourselves

Jump to Next

Attention Eyes God God's Hearken Heed Instead John Judge Listening Peter Rather Right Righteous Sight Whether Yourselves

Acts 4

1. The rulers of the Jews, offended with Peter's sermon,
3. imprison him and John.
5. After, upon examination
8. Peter boldly avouching the lame man to be healed by the name of Jesus,
11. and that only by the same Jesus we must be eternally saved,
13. they threaten him and John to preach no more in that name,
23. whereupon the church flees to prayer.
31. And God, by moving the place where they were assembled, testifies that he heard their prayer;
34. confirming the church with the gift of the Holy Spirit, and with mutual love and charity.

Berean Study Bible

But Peter and John replied
This phrase introduces the response of Peter and John, two of the most prominent apostles in the early Christian church. The Greek word for "replied" (ἀποκρίνομαι, apokrinomai) suggests a thoughtful and deliberate answer, indicating that their response was not impulsive but considered. Historically, Peter and John were known for their boldness and leadership among the apostles, and their reply here is consistent with their roles as defenders of the faith. Their response is a model of courage and conviction, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to the mission of spreading the Gospel.

Judge for yourselves
The phrase "Judge for yourselves" is an invitation to the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council, to consider the situation from a divine perspective. The Greek word for "judge" (κρίνω, krinō) implies a process of discernment and evaluation. This appeal to personal judgment underscores the apostles' confidence in the truth of their message and the righteousness of their actions. It challenges the authorities to reflect on their own understanding of justice and righteousness, urging them to align their judgments with God's will.

whether it is right
The word "right" (δίκαιος, dikaios) in Greek conveys the idea of righteousness, justice, and moral correctness. Peter and John are appealing to a higher standard of morality that transcends human authority. This appeal to divine justice is a central theme in Christian teaching, emphasizing that true righteousness is determined by God's standards, not human laws or decrees. The apostles' question implies that obedience to God is the ultimate measure of what is right.

in God’s sight
This phrase highlights the ultimate authority and perspective of God. The Greek word for "sight" (ἐνώπιον, enōpion) means "before" or "in the presence of." It suggests living and acting with an awareness of God's omnipresence and omniscience. For Peter and John, the approval of God is paramount, and their actions are guided by a desire to be faithful in His sight. This reflects a core Christian belief that one's life should be lived in accordance with God's will, seeking His approval above all else.

to listen to you rather than God
The contrast between "you" (the human authorities) and "God" emphasizes the apostles' allegiance to divine authority over human authority. The Greek word for "listen" (ἀκούω, akouō) implies not just hearing, but obeying and following. This statement is a declaration of the apostles' commitment to prioritize God's commands over human directives. It reflects the early Christian understanding that obedience to God takes precedence over all other loyalties, a principle that has inspired countless believers to stand firm in their faith despite opposition.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(19) Whether it be right in the sight of God . . .--The words assert the right of conscience, recognising a divine authority, to resist a human authority which opposes it. In theory, as the appeal "judge ye" showed even then, the right so claimed is of the nature of an axiom. In practice, the difficulty rises in the question, Is there the divine authority which is claimed? And the only practical answer is to be found in the rule, that men who believe they have the authority are bound to act as if they had it. If the Lord God hath spoken to them, they can but prophesy (Amos 3:8). In cases such as this, where the question is one of witness to facts, they must not tamper with the truth, if they believe themselves commissioned by God to declare the facts, for fear of offending men. When they pass from facts to doctrines inferred from facts, from doctrines to opinions, from opinions to conjectures, the duty of not saying that which they do not believe remains the same, but there is not the same obligation to proclaim what they thus hold in various stages of assent. There may be cases in which reticence is right as well as politic. And even in regard to facts, the publication--as law recognises in relation to libels--must not be gratuitous. There must be an adequate authority, or an adequate reason for disobedience to the human authority, which is binding until it is superseded by that which is higher than itself. And the onus probandi rests on the man who asserts the higher authority. Intensity of conviction may be enough for himself, but it cannot be expected that it will be so for others. In the absence of signs and wonders the question must be discussed on the wide ground of Reason and of Conscience, and the man who refuses to enter into debate on that ground because he is certain he is right is ipso facto convicted of an almost insane egotism. The words have clearly no bearing on the "froward retention" of a custom which God has not enjoined and a lawful authority has forbidden.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 19. - Rather for more, A.V.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

But
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

Peter
Πέτρος (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.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

John
Ἰωάννης (Iōannēs)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2491: Of Hebrew origin; Joannes, the name of four Israelites.

replied,
ἀποκριθέντες (apokrithentes)
Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 611: From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak.

“Judge for yourselves
κρίνατε (krinate)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 2919: Properly, to distinguish, i.e. Decide; by implication, to try, condemn, punish.

whether
Εἰ (Ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

it is
ἐστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

right
δίκαιόν (dikaion)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 1342: From dike; equitable; by implication, innocent, holy.

in God’s sight
ἐνώπιον (enōpion)
Preposition
Strong's 1799: Neuter of a compound of en and a derivative of optanomai; in the face of.

to listen
ἀκούειν (akouein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 191: To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.

to you
ὑμῶν (hymōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

rather
μᾶλλον (mallon)
Adverb
Strong's 3123: More, rather. Neuter of the comparative of the same as malista; more) or rather.

than
ἢ (ē)
Conjunction
Strong's 2228: Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.

God.
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

Links

Acts 4:19 NIV
Acts 4:19 NLT
Acts 4:19 ESV
Acts 4:19 NASB
Acts 4:19 KJV

Acts 4:19 BibleApps.com
Acts 4:19 Biblia Paralela
Acts 4:19 Chinese Bible
Acts 4:19 French Bible
Acts 4:19 Catholic Bible

NT Apostles: Acts 4:19 But Peter and John answered them Whether (Acts of the Apostles Ac)