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

ACTS 5:29KJV
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Acts 5:29 (KJV)

What does Acts 5:29 mean?

Acts 5:29 states that Peter and the other apostles declared their duty to obey God rather than human authorities. This verse shows their conviction that God's commands take priority over any demands from people, even powerful leaders.

Peter is speaking to the Jewish council (the Sanhedrin) after being told to stop teaching about Jesus. The apostles respond together, making it clear that their loyalty to God outweighs any fear of punishment from human rulers. This moment highlights the tension between following God's will and obeying human laws when the two come into conflict.

The Greek behind Acts 5:29

  • ὑπακοῦειν (hypakouein, "obey"): This Greek word means to listen attentively and respond with action, not just passive hearing. The apostles are saying their obedience to God is active and deliberate.
  • δεῖ (dei, "ought"): This word carries the sense of necessity or something that must be done. The apostles are not just choosing to obey God; they see it as an absolute requirement.
  • μᾶλλον (mallon, "rather"): This word emphasizes a comparison, showing that obedience to God is not just preferred but is more important than obedience to people.

Why Acts 5:29 matters

  • Acts 5:29 clarifies that, for the apostles, allegiance to God stands above all other authorities, especially when there is a conflict between the two.
  • This verse helps explain why the apostles were willing to face arrest and punishment—they saw obedience to God as non-negotiable.
  • The statement connects to the wider passage by showing the courage and unity of the apostles, and it sets the stage for the ongoing challenges they would face as they continued to preach about Jesus.

Where else these words appear

“obey” Greek G3980 · used in 4 verses

  • Acts 5:32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
  • Acts 27:21 But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.
  • Titus 3:1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

“apostles” Greek G652 · used in 80 verses

  • Matthew 10:2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
  • Acts 8:18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
  • 2 Corinthians 11:5 For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.

“rather” 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 5:14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
  • 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.

“ought” Greek G1163 · used in 104 verses

  • Matthew 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
  • John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
  • Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.