Acts 4:19
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.
Study Note
Study Note
Peter and John's response to the Sanhedrin — 'whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye' — formulates the principle of civil disobedience based on divine obedience. The ironic invitation to the judges to judge their own authority relative to God's turns the interrogation around, placing the council itself under divine scrutiny. This verse became a cornerstone of Christian political theology, cited in discussions of conscience, religious freedom, and the limits of civil authority from the Reformation through the civil rights movement. The parallel in Acts 5:29 ('we must obey God rather than men') provides the positive formulation of the same principle.
Other Translations
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:
and Peter and John answering unto them said, `Whether it is righteous before God to hearken to you rather than to God, judge ye;
But Peter and John in answer said to them, It is for you to say if it is right in the eyes of God to give attention to you more than to God:
Cross References
But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children …
And this thing became a sin: for the people went to worship before the one, even unto Dan.
And he shall give Israel up because of the sins of Jeroboam, who did sin, and who made Israel to …
And the men of his city, even the elders and the nobles who were the inhabitants in his city, did …
And Micaiah said, As the Lord liveth, what the Lord saith unto me, that will I speak.
And king Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, Upon the great altar burn the morning burnt offering, and the evening …
But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the Lord his …
And Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked upon him, and, behold, he was leprous in his forehead, …
Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?
But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the …