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 5:32KJV
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Acts 5:32 (KJV)

What does Acts 5:32 mean?

Acts 5:32 says that the apostles are witnesses to what has happened, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God gives to those who obey Him. This verse highlights that both the apostles and the Holy Spirit testify to the truth of Jesus and God’s actions.

Peter is speaking to the Jewish council (the Sanhedrin) after being questioned for preaching about Jesus. He insists that their message is not just their own testimony, but is confirmed by the Holy Spirit, who is given by God to those who obey Him. This stresses the reliability of their witness and the special role of the Holy Spirit in supporting their message.

The Greek behind Acts 5:32

  • "Witnesses" (μάρτυρες, martures): This word means someone who testifies to what they have seen or know. Here, it underscores that the apostles are firsthand witnesses to Jesus’ resurrection and works.
  • "Holy" (ἅγιον, hagion) and "Ghost" (πνεῦμα, pneuma): Together, these words refer to the Holy Spirit. The Greek term πνεῦμα (pneuma) means spirit, breath, or wind, and in this context, it refers to God’s active presence.
  • "Obey" (πειθαρχεῖν, peitharchein): This word means to follow or be persuaded by authority. The verse connects receiving the Holy Spirit with obedience to God, showing that God’s gift is linked to a willing response.

Why Acts 5:32 matters

  • Acts 5:32 clarifies that the apostles’ message is not based on personal opinion but on direct experience and the confirmation of the Holy Spirit.
  • The verse connects the gift of the Holy Spirit with obedience, which helps explain how the early church understood who receives God’s Spirit.
  • This verse ties the apostles’ authority and message directly to God’s ongoing work, reinforcing the seriousness of their testimony before the council.

Where else these words appear

“obey” Greek G3980 · used in 4 verses

  • Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
  • 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,

“witnesses” Greek G3144 · used in 34 verses

  • Matthew 18:16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
  • Acts 10:41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.
  • 1 Timothy 5:19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.

“are” Greek G2070 · used in 51 verses

  • Mark 5:9 And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.
  • Romans 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
  • Galatians 4:31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

“things” Greek G4487 · used in 67 verses

  • Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
  • Luke 18:34 And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.
  • Acts 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.