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.