Acts 5:29
What does Acts 5:29 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 5:29 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 5:29 means
Peter and the apostles reply that they must obey God rather than men. This is not civil rebellion for its own sake but fidelity to a higher command. The contrast is absolute where human authority contradicts God’s revealed will. The apostles recognize legitimate authority in general, yet here they draw a clear line: God’s mandate to bear witness to Jesus cannot be set aside. Their answer frames all that follows; their preaching springs from obedience to God. This principle anchors the church’s mission amid pressure. It also anticipates that suffering may follow, but allegiance to God remains primary.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But Peter and the apostles answered and said, We must obey God rather than men.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But Peter and the apostles answered and said, We must obey God rather than men.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But Peter and the Apostles, answering, said, We have to do the orders of God, not of man.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Peter and the apostles answering, said, `To obey God it behoveth, rather than men;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But Peter and the apostles answering, said: We ought to obey God rather than men.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But Peter answering, and the apostles, said,God must be obeyed rather than men.
Context
This statement responds directly to the council’s prohibition and accusation. It echoes earlier declarations in Acts and sets the theological foundation for the gospel summary that follows. The next verses will articulate the content of the message the apostles are bound to proclaim: God raised Jesus, whom the leaders killed, and exalted Him as Prince and Savior to grant repentance and forgiveness. The response will also appeal to the witness of the Holy Spirit, underscoring divine confirmation. The scene is the heart of the chapter’s testimony to Christ.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Genesis 3:17
And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in toil shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
- Mark 7:7
But in vain do they worship me, Teachingas theirdoctrines the precepts of men.
- 1 Samuel 15:24
And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned; for I have transgressed the commandment of Jehovah, and thy words, because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.
- Revelation 14:8
And another, a second angel, followed, saying, Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, that hath made all the nations to drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
- Acts 4:19
But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it is right in the sight of God to hearken unto you rather than unto God, judge ye:
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