“Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”
Peter and the apostles replied: 'We must obey God rather than human beings!' - the principle is stated with crystalline clarity: divine command supersedes human authority. The phrase 'obey God rather than human beings' (dei obeisai tō theō mallon ē anthrōpois) becomes a foundational assertion for all Christian civil disobedience. Peter speaks for the apostolic body, showing unified conviction and courage.
Church Fathers on Acts 5:29
Then Peter and the other Apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. Acts 5:29 High magnanimity! He shows them too that they are fighting against God. For, he says, Whom you killed, Him has God raised up. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, Whom you slew and hanged on a tree. Him has God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. (v. 30, 31.) And again they refer the whole to…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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