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.

ACTS 4:19KJV
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Acts 4:19 (KJV)

What does Acts 4:19 mean?

Acts 4:19 shows Peter and John telling the religious leaders that, if there is a choice between obeying human authority or God, it is up to the leaders themselves to judge which is right, but Peter and John are making clear that God's authority comes first. The verse highlights a moment where loyalty to God is placed above obedience to people, even those in power.

Peter and John are speaking to the Jewish council (the Sanhedrin) after being arrested for teaching about Jesus. The council has ordered them to stop speaking in Jesus’ name. In their response, Peter and John respectfully challenge the council by raising the question of whether it is right to listen to people more than to God, making their priorities clear without directly defying the council’s authority.

The Greek behind Acts 4:19

  • δίκαιον (dikaion): This word is often translated as "right" or "just." Here, it emphasizes the moral or ethical correctness of an action, not just what is legally allowed.
  • ἐνώπιον (enōpion): Translated as "in the sight of," this word stresses that the standard being considered is God's perspective, not just human opinion.
  • ἀκούειν (akouein): This verb means "to listen" or "to obey." The Greek here carries the sense of truly heeding or following instructions, not just hearing them.
  • κρίνετε (krinete): This is the command "judge ye" or "you judge." Peter and John are inviting the council to weigh the matter themselves, appealing to their conscience and sense of justice.

Why Acts 4:19 matters

  • Acts 4:19 clarifies that the apostles were not being reckless or rebellious, but were thoughtfully considering the higher obligation to God’s will over human commands.
  • The verse sets up a key theme in Acts: the tension between following God and facing opposition from authorities, which recurs throughout the early church’s story.
  • By framing their answer as a question, Peter and John show respect to the council while still standing firm, modeling a way to handle conflict between faith and authority.

Where else these words appear

“right” Greek G1342 · used in 76 verses

  • Matthew 1:19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
  • Luke 18:9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
  • 2 Thessalonians 1:6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;

“than” Greek G3123 · used in 81 verses

  • Matthew 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
  • Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
  • 2 Corinthians 7:7 And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.

“sight” Greek G1799 · used in 89 verses

  • Luke 1:6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
  • Acts 10:30 And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,
  • Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

“ye” Greek G2919 · used in 98 verses

  • Matthew 5:40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.
  • Acts 21:25 As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.
  • 1 Corinthians 6:2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?