Bible Strands
Acts 5:32
We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Peter and the apostles address the Jewish ruling council immediately after declaring that God exalted Jesus to grant repentance and forgiveness to Israel. They speak while the council deliberates their execution for teaching in Jesus' name.
The words — The Greek μάρτυρες (martures) literally means "witnesses," and ῥημάτων (rhēmatōn) translates to "declarations" or "spoken words." These terms specify that the apostles attest to concrete divine utterances rather than personal opinions.
The thread — The Holy Spirit's role as witness appears in Acts 1:8, where the Spirit empowers testimony, and in John 15:26, where the Spirit of truth proceeds from the Father to confirm the message. The link between obedience and receiving the Spirit aligns with the broader biblical pattern of divine gift conditioned on human compliance.
Why it lands — The text asserts that human testimony and the Holy Spirit's presence jointly validate the gospel message. It requires the reader to accept that obedience to God is the stated condition for receiving the Spirit who confirms that message.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
Cross-references
- John 15:26 When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father—He will testify about Me.
- Hebrews 2:3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? This salvation was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard Him,
- Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
- Luke 24:47 and in His name repentance and forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem.
- John 16:7 But I tell you the truth, it is for your benefit that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.
- Acts 5:29 But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.
- Acts 10:39 We are witnesses of all that He did, both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. And although they put Him to death by hanging Him on a tree,
- Acts 13:31 and for many days He was seen by those who had accompanied Him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now His witnesses to our people.
- 1 Peter 1:12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, when they foretold the things now announced by those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.
- John 7:39 He was speaking about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive. For the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet been glorified.