Acts 4:20

"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,"

Key Reflection

Peter and John's response challenges the authorities to question their own motives and actions by placing them under the scrutiny of divine will. They invite judgment on whether obeying human commands is more important than following God’s directives, thereby affirming their commitment to God's law over mere earthly authority.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 20. For, etc. This is given as a reason why they should obey God rather than man. They had had so clear evidence that God had sent the Messiah, and they had received so direct and solemn a command (Mr 16:15) to preach the gospel, that they could not be restrained. There was a necessity laid on them to preach the gospel. See 1 Co 9:16; comp. Jer 20:9; Ac 18:5; Job 32:18,19; Ps 39:1-3. It has already been remarked, that these two verses contain an important principle in favour of religious liberty --the liberty of conscience, and of private judgment.

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