Acts 4:19
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But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than God.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
PETER AND JOHN BEFORE THE SAMHEDRIM. (Act 4:1-13) the captain--of the Levitical guard. of the temple--annoyed at the disturbance created around it. and the Sadducees--who "say that there is no resurrection" (Act 23:8), irritated at the apostles "preaching through (rather, 'in') Jesus the resurrection from the dead"; for the resurrection of Christ, if a fact, effectually overthrew the Sadducean doctrine.
Open source ↗In going over the last two chapters, where we met with so many good things that the apostles did, I wondered what was become of the scribes and Pharisees, and chief priests, that they did not appear to contradict and oppose them, as they had used to treat Christ himself; surely they were so confounded at first with the pouring out of the Spirit that they were for a time struck dumb! But I find we have not lost them; their forces rally again, and here we have an encounter between them and the apostles; for from the beginning the gospel met with opposition. Here, I. Peter and John are taken up, upon a warrant from the priests, and committed to jail (Act 4:1-4). II. They are examined by a committee of the great sanhedrim (Act 4:5-7). III. They bravely avow what they have done, and preach Christ to their persecutors (Act 4:8-12). IV. Their persecutors, being unable to answer them, enjoin them silence, threatening them if they go on to preach the gospel, and so dismiss them (Act 4:13-22). V. They apply to God by prayer, for the further operations of that grace which they had already experienced (Act 4:23-30). VI. God owns them, both outwardly and inwardly, by manifest tokens of his presence with them (Act 4:31-33). VII. The believers had their hearts knit together in holy love, and enlarged their charity to the poor, and the church flourished more than ever, to the glory of Christ (Act 4:33-37).
Open source ↗4:19-20 The apostles stated a principle that can guide God’s people in dealing with hostile authorities (see also 5:40; cp. 1 Sam 15:22; Jer 7:23; Luke 20:20-26; Rom 13:1-7). Jesus had predicted that his disciples would encounter hostility and persecution (Luke 21:12-19).
Open source ↗Cross-references
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But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.
The midwives, however, feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt had instructed; they let the boys live.
I speak to reasonable people; judge for yourselves what I say.
This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,
But Micaiah said, “As surely as the LORD lives, I will speak whatever the LORD tells me.”
Stop judging by outward appearances, and start judging justly.”
“Caesar’s,” they answered. So Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
Ephraim is oppressed, crushed in judgment, for he is determined to follow worthless idols.
But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden statue you have set up.”
So the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth’s city did as Jezebel had instructed in the letters she had written to them.