Acts 5:29

Then Peter and the [other] apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

Then {G1161} Peter {G4074} and {G2532} the other apostles {G652} answered {G611} and said {G2036}, We ought {G1163} to obey {G3980} God {G2316} rather {G3123} than {G2228} men {G444}.

Kefa and the other emissaries answered, “We must obey God, not men.

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

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

Acts 5:29 (KJV) delivers a powerful declaration from the Apostle Peter, echoing the steadfast resolve of the early Church in the face of persecution. This verse encapsulates a fundamental principle for believers: loyalty to God takes precedence over human dictates when the two are in conflict.

Context

This bold statement arises from a direct confrontation between the apostles and the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish religious court. After being miraculously released from prison by an angel and continuing to preach Jesus in the temple, Peter and the other apostles were re-arrested. The high priest sternly questioned them, reminding them of the previous command not to teach in Jesus' name (Acts 4:18). Their response in Acts 5:29 is not one of defiance for defiance's sake, but a principled stand based on their divine commission and experience of God's power. They had just witnessed God's intervention, further solidifying their conviction that they must obey God's command to preach the Gospel.

Key Themes

  • Divine Authority Over Human Authority: The central message is the absolute supremacy of God's commands. When human laws or authorities contradict God's revealed will, believers are called to prioritize obedience to God. This principle does not advocate anarchy but establishes a hierarchy of loyalties, where God is supreme.
  • Boldness in Witness: Peter and the apostles display remarkable courage and conviction, unafraid to speak truth to power. Their boldness was a direct result of being filled with the Holy Spirit, empowering them to testify about Jesus Christ despite threats and imprisonment.
  • Unwavering Obedience to God: The phrase "We ought to obey God" highlights a moral imperative. For the apostles, their mission to proclaim the resurrection of Jesus was a divine mandate that could not be compromised by human prohibitions.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "ought" is dei (δεῖ), which conveys a sense of necessity or divine obligation. It's not merely a suggestion or a preference, but a binding duty that comes from God's will. This emphasizes that their obedience was not optional but a fundamental requirement based on their relationship with God and His explicit commands. The choice was clear: a divinely ordained mission versus a humanly imposed restriction.

Practical Application

Acts 5:29 remains profoundly relevant for believers today. While direct conflicts with authorities over preaching the Gospel may not be daily occurrences for everyone, the principle applies to various areas of life:

  • Ethical Dilemmas: When faced with choices in work, education, or society that compromise biblical values, this verse guides believers to prioritize God's standards.
  • Conscience and Conviction: It underscores the importance of a conscience informed by Scripture. Believers are called to discern God's will and act upon it, even when it is unpopular or challenging.
  • Courage to Stand: The verse encourages Christians to cultivate a holy boldness, willing to speak and live according to their faith, knowing that ultimate allegiance belongs to God. This does not mean seeking confrontation, but having the integrity to uphold truth when necessary, trusting in God's ultimate vindication, as seen in the subsequent counsel of Gamaliel.

This foundational statement reminds us that true freedom and ultimate authority reside in God alone, calling His followers to a life of uncompromising faithfulness.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Mark 7:7

    Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching [for] doctrines the commandments of men.

  • Mark 7:9

    And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

  • 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;

  • Revelation 14:8

    And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

  • Revelation 14:12

    Here is the patience of the saints: here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
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