The Verse in Focus (Acts 4:19)
ὁ δὲ Πέτρος καὶ Ἰωάννης ἀποκριθέντες πρὸς αὐτοὺς εἶπον· εἰ δίκαιόν ἐστιν ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ ὑμῶν ἀκούειν μᾶλλον ἢ τοῦ Θεοῦ, κρίνατε
ὁ δὲ Πέτρος καὶ Ἰωάννης… εἶπον: A Unified Reply
The verse begins with a coordinated subject and response:
– ὁ δὲ Πέτρος καὶ Ἰωάννης — “But Peter and John.” The δὲ is contrastive, introducing their response to the Sanhedrin’s command to stop preaching.
– ἀποκριθέντες — aorist passive participle of ἀποκρίνομαι, “having answered,” used deponently here.
– πρὸς αὐτοὺς — “to them,” referring to the Jewish council.
– εἶπον — aorist active indicative of λέγω, “they said.”
The participle + main verb construction reflects a formal, decisive reply. Peter and John act in unity as authoritative witnesses.
Εἰ δίκαιόν ἐστιν ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ: If It Is Right Before God
The conditional phrase begins with εἰ — “if,” introducing a first-class conditional statement assuming the premise for argument’s sake.
– δίκαιον — “right,” “just,” neuter predicate adjective.
– ἐστιν — present indicative of εἰμί.
– ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ — “before God,” i.e., in His presence or judgment.
This sets the standard not by human law, but by divine justice. The apostles are challenging the Sanhedrin to think theologically, not just legally.
ὑμῶν ἀκούειν μᾶλλον ἢ τοῦ Θεοῦ: Who Should Be Obeyed?
This phrase forms the core of the apostles’ challenge:
– ὑμῶν — genitive plural pronoun, “you,” referring to the council.
– ἀκούειν — present active infinitive of ἀκούω, “to listen to” or “obey.”
– μᾶλλον — “rather,” “more,” showing comparison.
– ἢ τοῦ Θεοῦ — “than God.”
The phrase means: “to obey you rather than God.” The infinitive ἀκούειν serves as the subject of the implied main clause.
The apostles do not merely assert that they will obey God — they ask the council to judge the justice of the very idea of obeying men over God.
κρίνατε: You Judge
– κρίνατε is the aorist active imperative of κρίνω, “to judge,” “to decide.”
This direct command to the council is powerful and confrontational. It calls them to examine their own hearts and determine whether their command aligns with God’s will. The imperative implies: “You decide — but consider the standard of God.”
The Grammar of Conviction
Acts 4:19 is a verse where grammar carries courage. The use of a conditional clause (εἰ δίκαιόν ἐστιν), a comparative construction (μᾶλλον ἢ), and a forceful imperative (κρίνατε) puts the weight of the apostles’ defense not on rebellion, but on righteousness. Greek syntax reveals a deeper logic: obedience to God is not optional, and no human authority can override it. This is not a plea — it is a declaration wrapped in a challenge.
