“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.”
But Peter and John replied: 'Which is right in God's eyes: to listen to you, or to listen to him? Judge for yourselves! — Peter and John's response frames the issue as a conflict of authority: human authority (Sanhedrin) versus divine authority (God/Jesus). The rhetorical question ('Which is right?', dikaiōs, righteous, just, fair) appeals to the conscience: obedience to God transcends obedience to human rulers. 'Judge for yourselves' (hineō, judge for yourselves) invites the council to recognize the real issue: they are opposing God.
Church Fathers on Acts 4:19
But Peter and John answered and said to them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people. Acts 4:19-21 The miracles shut their mouths: they would not so much as let them finish their speech, but cut them short in the middle, most insolently.
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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