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Amplified Bible

Acts 4:19

But Peter and John replied to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you and obey you rather than God, you must judge [for yourselves];

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Caiaphas;   Conscience;   Courage;   Court;   Duty;   Government;   Intolerance, Religious;   John;   Minister, Christian;   Obedience;   Persecution;   Peter;   Priest;   Testimony;   Zeal, Religious;   Thompson Chain Reference - Courageous Reformers;   Fall;   Leaders;   Peter;   Reformers, Courageous;   Religious;   Seven;   Simon Peter;   Stability;   Steadfastness;   Steadfastness-Instability;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Boldness, Holy;   Missionary Work by Ministers;   Obedience to God;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Peter;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - John the apostle;   Peter;   Resurrection;   War;   Wife;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Sanhedrim;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Peter;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Acts;   Sanhedrin;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Conscience;   Mark, Gospel According to;   Sadducees;   Sanhedrin;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Church Government;   Conscience ;   Holy Spirit;   James and John, the Sons of Zebedee;   Personality;   Right;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Sanhedrin or Sanhedrim;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Preacher;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Simon Cephas;  

Devotionals:

- Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life - Devotion for June 11;  

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
But Peter and John answered them, "What do you think is right? What would God want? Should we obey you or God?
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
But Peter and Iohn answered vnto them and sayde: whether it be right in the syght of God to obeye you moare then God iudge ye.
Hebrew Names Version
But Kefa and Yochanan answered them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, judge for yourselves,
International Standard Version
But Peter and John answered them, "You must decide whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than God,Acts 5:29;">[xr]
New American Standard Bible
But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, make your own judgment;
New Century Version
But Peter and John answered them, "You decide what God would want. Should we obey you or God?
Update Bible Version
But Peter and John answered and said to them, Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you judge:
Webster's Bible Translation
But Peter and John answered and said to them, Whether it is right in the sight of God to hearken to you rather than to God, judge ye.
English Standard Version
But Peter and John answered them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge,
World English Bible
But Peter and John answered them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, judge for yourselves,
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
But Peter and John answering, said to them, Whether it be righteous in the sight of God, to obey you rather than God, judge ye.
Weymouth's New Testament
But Peter and John replied, "Judge whether it is right in God's sight to listen to you instead of listening to God.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
But Petre and Joon answeriden, and seiden to hem, If it be riytful in the siyt of God to here you rather than God, deme ye.
English Revised Version
But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you rather than unto God, judge ye:
Berean Standard Bible
But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to listen to you rather than God.
Contemporary English Version
Peter and John answered, "Do you think God wants us to obey you or to obey him?
American Standard Version
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:
Bible in Basic English
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:
Complete Jewish Bible
But Kefa and Yochanan answered, "You must judge whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than God.
Darby Translation
But Peter and John answering said to them, If it be righteous before God to listen to you rather than to God, judge ye;
Etheridge Translation
SHEMUN KIPHA and Juhanon answered and said to them, If it be right before Aloha that you we obey rather than Aloha, judge you.
Murdock Translation
Simon Cephas and John answered, and said to them: Whether it be right before God, that we hearken to you more than to God, judge ye.
King James Version (1611)
But Peter and Iohn answered, and said vnto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God, to hearken vnto you more then vnto God, iudge ye.
New Living Translation
But Peter and John replied, "Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him?
New Life Bible
Peter and John said, "If it is right to listen to you more than to God, you decide about that.
New Revised Standard
But Peter and John answered them, "Whether it is right in God's sight to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge;
Geneva Bible (1587)
But Peter and Iohn answered vnto them, and said, Whether it be right in the sight of God, to obey you rather then God, iudge ye.
George Lamsa Translation
But Simon Peter and John answered and said to them, Whether it be right before God to listen to you more than to God, you judge.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
But, Peter and John, answering, said unto them - Whether it be right in presence of God, unto you, to be hearkening, rather than unto God, judge!
Douay-Rheims Bible
But Peter and John answering, said to them: If it be just, in the sight of God, to hear you rather than God, judge ye.
Revised Standard Version
But Peter and John answered them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge;
Bishop's Bible (1568)
But Peter and Iohn aunswered, and sayde vnto them: Whether it be ryght in the syght of God, to hearken vnto you more then to God, iudge ye.
Good News Translation
But Peter and John answered them, "You yourselves judge which is right in God's sight—to obey you or to obey God.
Christian Standard Bible®
Peter and John answered them, “Whether it’s right in the sight of God for us to listen to you rather than to God, you decide;
King James Version
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.
Lexham English Bible
But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than God, you decide!
Literal Translation
But answering them Peter and John said, Whether it is right before God to listen to you rather than God, you judge.
Young's Literal Translation
and Peter and John answering unto them said, `Whether it is righteous before God to hearken to you rather than to God, judge ye;
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
But Peter & Ihon answered, and sayde vnto the: Iudge ye youre selues, whether it be right before God, that we shulde be more obedient vnto you, then vnto God.
Mace New Testament (1729)
but Peter and John made answer, do you yourselves judge, whether it be right in the sight of God, to obey you rather than God.
New English Translation
But Peter and John replied, "Whether it is right before God to obey you rather than God, you decide,
New King James Version
But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge.
Simplified Cowboy Version
But the two cowboys asked, "Which should we do—obey the Boss, or you? What do y'all think is the right answer?
New American Standard Bible (1995)
But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge;
Legacy Standard Bible
But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to hear you rather than God, you be the judge;

Contextual Overview

15But after ordering them to step out of the Council [chamber], they began to confer among themselves, 16saying, "What are we to do with these men? For the fact that an extraordinary miracle has taken place through them is public knowledge and clearly evident to all the residents of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17"But to keep it from spreading further among the people and the nation, let us [sternly] warn them not to speak again to anyone in this name." 18So they sent for them, and commanded them not to speak [as His representatives] or teach at all in the name of Jesus [using Him as their authority]. 19But Peter and John replied to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you and obey you rather than God, you must judge [for yourselves];20for we, on our part, cannot stop telling [people] about what we have seen and heard." 21When the rulers and Council members had threatened them further, they let them go, finding no way to punish them because [of their fear] of the people, for they were all praising and glorifying and honoring God for what had happened; 22for the man to whom this sign (attesting miracle) of healing had happened was more than forty years old.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Whether: 2 Corinthians 4:2, Ephesians 6:1, 1 Timothy 2:3

to hearken: Acts 5:29, Exodus 1:17, 1 Kings 12:30, 1 Kings 14:16, 1 Kings 21:11, 1 Kings 22:14, 2 Kings 16:15, 2 Chronicles 26:16-20, Daniel 3:18, Daniel 6:10, Hosea 5:11, Amos 7:16, Micah 6:16, Matthew 22:21, Hebrews 11:23, Revelation 13:3-10, Revelation 14:9-12

judge: Psalms 58:1, John 7:24, 1 Corinthians 10:15, James 2:4

Reciprocal: Genesis 27:8 - General Numbers 23:26 - General Joshua 1:9 - Have Judges 6:25 - thy father 1 Samuel 22:17 - would not 1 Kings 13:19 - General 2 Kings 16:16 - General 2 Chronicles 22:3 - his counsellor 2 Chronicles 30:12 - by the word Ecclesiastes 8:5 - keepeth Jeremiah 13:15 - for Jeremiah 26:12 - The Lord Ezekiel 2:6 - be not Ezekiel 37:7 - I prophesied as Daniel 3:15 - we are Daniel 3:28 - and have Micah 3:8 - I am Matthew 2:12 - they departed Matthew 10:26 - Fear Matthew 15:5 - ye say Mark 12:17 - and to Luke 6:11 - communed Luke 9:49 - we saw Luke 20:25 - unto God John 19:13 - heard Acts 1:13 - Peter Acts 6:2 - It Acts 10:42 - he commanded 1 Corinthians 14:32 - General 2 Corinthians 5:14 - constraineth Galatians 1:10 - do I now Philippians 1:28 - in Hebrews 11:35 - not accepting 1 Peter 3:6 - and

Cross-References

Genesis 2:18
Now the LORD God said, "It is not good (beneficial) for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper [one who balances him—a counterpart who is] suitable and complementary for him."
Genesis 2:24
For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.
Genesis 4:4
But Abel brought [an offering of] the [finest] firstborn of his flock and the fat portions. And the LORD had respect (regard) for Abel and for his offering;
Genesis 4:6
And the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you so angry? And why do you look annoyed?
Matthew 19:8
He said to them, "Because your hearts were hard and stubborn Moses permitted you to divorce your wives; but from the beginning it has not been this way.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

But Peter and John answered and said unto them,.... With great boldness and courage, and without any fear of man, but in the true fear of God

whether it be right in the sight of God; who is omniscient, and sees, and knows all things, all the actions of men, and the springs of them; who is holy, just, and true, and sits and judges among the gods, that which is right:

to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye: it is not denied that magistrates are to be hearkened to, and obeyed: but not more than God, or in things that are contrary to his nature, will, law, honour, and glory: whatever is agreeable to the law and will of God, commanded by magistrates, should be attended to, and cheerfully obeyed; but what is not should be disregarded, whatever follows upon it: and this was so just and reasonable, that the apostles appeal to the sanhedrim, or council itself, to determine.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Whether it be right ... - The apostles abated nothing of their boldness when threatened. They openly appealed to their judges whether their command could be right. And in doing this, they expressed their full conviction of the truth of what they had said, and their deliberate purpose not to regard their command, but still to proclaim to the people the truth that Jesus was the Messiah.

In the sight of God - That is, whether God will judge this to be right. The grand question was how God would regard it. If he disapproved it, it was wrong. It was not merely a question pertaining to their reputation, safety, or life; it was a question of conscience before God. We have here a striking instance of the principle on which Christians act. It is, to lay their safety, reputation, and life out of view, and bring everything to the test whether it will please God. If it will, it is right; if it will not, it is wrong.

To hearken - To “hear” and to “hearken” are often used to denote to “obey,” John 5:24; John 8:47, etc.

Judge ye - This was an appeal to them directly as judges and as men. And it may be presumed that it was an appeal which they could not resist. The Sanhedrin acknowledged itself to have been appointed by God, and to have no authority which was not derived from his appointment. Of course, God could modify, supersede, or repeal their authority; and the abstract principle that it was better to obey God than man they could not call in question. The only inquiry was whether they had evidence that God had issued any command in the case. Of that the apostles were satisfied, and that the rulers could not deny. It may be remarked that this is one of the first and most bold appeals on record in favor of the right of private judgment and the liberty of conscience. That liberty was supposed in all the Jewish religion. It was admitted that the authority of God in all matters was superior to that of man. And the same spirit manifested itself thus early in the Christian church against all dominion over the conscience, and in favor of the right to follow the dictates of the conscience and the will of God. As a mere historical fact, therefore, it is interesting to contemplate this, and still more interesting in its important bearings on human liberty and human happiness. The doctrine is still more explicitly stated in Acts 5:29, “We ought to obey God rather than man.”

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Acts 4:19. Whether it be right in the sight of God — As if they had said: Worldly prudence and a consideration of our secular interests would undoubtedly induce us to obey you; but acting as before God, and following the dictates of eternal truth and justice, we dare not be silent. Can it be right to obey men contrary to the command and will of God? When he commands us to speak, dare we hold our tongue? We have received our authority from God through Christ, and feel fully persuaded of the truth by the Holy Spirit which now dwells in us; and we should be guilty of treason against God, were we on any consideration to suppress his testimony. Your own consciences testify that we should be sinners against our heavenly King, were we to act according to your orders; and the conclusion is, that we cannot but speak what we have seen and heard.


 
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