Acts 5:32
And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 21
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
μάρτυρες
witnesses
G3144
μάρτυρες
witnesses
Strong's:
G3144
Word #:
5 of 21
a witness (literally (judicially) or figuratively (genitive case)); by analogy, a "martyr"
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ῥημάτων
things
G4487
ῥημάτων
things
Strong's:
G4487
Word #:
7 of 21
an utterance (individually, collectively or specially),; by implication, a matter or topic (especially of narration, command or dispute); with a negat
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πνεῦμα
Ghost
G4151
πνεῦμα
Ghost
Strong's:
G4151
Word #:
11 of 21
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἅγιον
the Holy
G40
ἅγιον
the Holy
Strong's:
G40
Word #:
14 of 21
sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)
ὃ
whom
G3739
ὃ
whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
15 of 21
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἔδωκεν
hath given
G1325
ἔδωκεν
hath given
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
16 of 21
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
God
G2316
θεὸς
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
18 of 21
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Acts 5:29Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.Acts 13:31And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.Acts 15:28For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;Acts 1:8But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.Acts 2:4And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.John 7:39(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)1 Peter 1:12Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
Historical Context
Continues Peter's Sanhedrin defense. By claiming the Holy Spirit as witness, Peter implicitly charges the council with opposing God himself—a bold accusation that 'cut them to the heart' and nearly resulted in execution (v.33). Only Gamaliel's intervention spared them (vv.34-40). The 'obey him' condition distinguished Spirit-filled believers from unbelieving religious leaders.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the Holy Spirit 'witness' to Christ's truth in believers' lives today?
- What does 'given to them that obey' teach about the relationship between obedience and the Spirit's work?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And we are his witnesses of these things—The apostles ground their authority in eyewitness testimony to Christ's resurrection and ascension. The Greek 'martyres' (witnesses) later came to mean 'martyrs' because witnessing often led to death. And so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him—the Spirit's presence confirms apostolic testimony, making God himself a co-witness. The phrase 'them that obey' (τοῖς πειθαρχοῦσιν) uses the same verb as 'obey' in verse 29, creating ironic wordplay: they obey God by disobeying men. The Spirit's gift both validates and empowers witness.