Acts 5:29
New International Version
Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!

New Living Translation
But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority.

English Standard Version
But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.

Berean Standard Bible
But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.

Berean Literal Bible
But Peter and the apostles answering said, "It is necessary to obey God rather than men.

King James Bible
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

New King James Version
But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.

New American Standard Bible
But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.

NASB 1995
But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.

NASB 1977
But Peter and the apostles answered and said, “We must obey God rather than men.

Legacy Standard Bible
But Peter and the apostles answered and said, “We must obey God rather than men.

Amplified Bible
Then Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men [we have no other choice].

Christian Standard Bible
Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than people.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.

American Standard Version
But Peter and the apostles answered and said, We must obey God rather than men.

Contemporary English Version
Peter and the apostles replied: We don't obey people. We obey God.

English Revised Version
But Peter and the apostles answered and said, We must obey God rather than men.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Peter and the other apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than people.

Good News Translation
Peter and the other apostles answered, "We must obey God, not men.

International Standard Version
But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men!

Majority Standard Bible
But Peter and the other apostles replied, ?We must obey God rather than men.

NET Bible
But Peter and the apostles replied, "We must obey God rather than people.

New Heart English Bible
But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than people.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

Weymouth New Testament
Peter and the other Apostles replied, "We must obey God rather than man.

World English Bible
But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Peter and the apostles answering, said, “It is required to obey God, rather than men;

Berean Literal Bible
But 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 Translation
And Peter having answered, and the sent, said, We must obey God rather than men.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But Peter and the apostles answering, said: We ought to obey God, rather than men.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But Peter and the Apostles responded by saying: “It is necessary to obey God, more so than men.

New American Bible
But Peter and the apostles said in reply, “We must obey God rather than men.

New Revised Standard Version
But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than any human authority.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then Simon Peter with the rest of the apostles answered and said to them, We must obey God rather than men.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Shimeon answered with the Apostles and said to them, “God ought to be obeyed more than men.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
But Peter and the apostles answered and said: "We must obey God rather than men.

Godbey New Testament
But Peter and the apostles responding said, It behooves us to obey God rather than men.

Haweis New Testament
Then Peter and the apostles answering said, We must obey God rather than men.

Mace New Testament
then Peter and the other apostles made answer, we ought to obey God rather than men.

Weymouth New Testament
Peter and the other Apostles replied, "We must obey God rather than man.

Worrell New Testament
But Peter and the apostles, answering, said, "It is proper to obey God rather than men.

Worsley New Testament
But 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.” 29But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men. 30The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging Him on a tree.…

Cross References
Acts 4:19-20
But 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 10:28
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.

Galatians 1:10
Am 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 13:1-2
Everyone 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 3:16-18
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.

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 18:18
“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 26:12-15
But 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 12:4-5
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.

1 Corinthians 4:3-4
I 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 2:13-14
Submit 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: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of 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.

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Acts 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 replied
This phrase introduces the response of Peter and the apostles to the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council. The Greek word for "replied" (ἀπεκρίθη) indicates a formal response, suggesting the gravity and deliberation behind their words. Historically, this moment is significant as it highlights the early church's boldness and unity in the face of persecution. The apostles, led by Peter, are not acting individually but collectively, demonstrating the strength of their shared conviction and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

We must obey
The Greek word for "must" (δεῖ) conveys a sense of divine necessity or obligation. This is not a casual choice but a compelling duty. The apostles recognize that their allegiance to God supersedes all earthly authorities. This principle of divine obedience is rooted in the Hebrew Scriptures, where figures like Daniel and his friends chose faithfulness to God over compliance with human decrees. The apostles' declaration serves as a timeless reminder for believers to prioritize God's commands above all else.

God rather than men
This phrase encapsulates the core of the apostles' conviction. The contrast between "God" (Θεός) and "men" (ἀνθρώποις) underscores the ultimate authority of the divine over human institutions. In the historical context, the apostles were confronting the Sanhedrin, who wielded significant religious and social power. Yet, the apostles assert that God's authority is supreme. This echoes the teachings of Jesus, who instructed His followers to render unto Caesar what is Caesar's, but unto God what is God's (Matthew 22:21). The apostles' stance is a powerful testament to their unwavering faith and commitment to the Great Commission, even in the face of potential suffering or death.

(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 of Acts 4:19-20, but the command of the angel in Acts 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
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.

the
οἱ (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 apostles
ἀπόστολοι (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 obey
Πειθαρχεῖν (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.

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

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

than
(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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Acts 5:28
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