Acts 5:29

29 But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than any human authority.

Acts 5:29 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 5:29

Then Peter, and the other apostles, answered and said
Peter began, as the mouth of the apostles, being the eldest man, and very bold and zealous; and the rest followed, or joined, with him in what he said:

we ought to obey God rather than men;
this is said in answer to the charge of disobedience to the orders and commands of the council: men, civil magistrates, and ecclesiastical rulers, are to be obeyed in things which are not repugnant to the will of God; but in things that are, God is to be obeyed, and not men. God had commanded by an angel, that the apostles should go to the temple, and there preach the doctrines of the Gospel; the sanhedrim had forbid them to speak and teach in the name of Christ; who were now to be obeyed? God, and not men: from whence it appears that the apostles were to be justified in disregarding the council, and neglecting its orders; and which is no ways contrary to that obedience and submission, that is to be yielded to those that are in authority, in things civil and lawful.

Acts 5:29 In-Context

27 When they had brought them, they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them,

28 saying, "We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this man's blood on us."

29 But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than any human authority.

30 The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.

31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

Footnotes

• [a]. Gk [than men]