Originally attributed to the “Rev. Jonas Clarke or one of his company” in “No King But King Jesus” (2001) (cache at Internet Archive) by Charles A. Jennings on his website Truth in History, and subsequently attributed to Adams in books like Is God with America? (2006) by Bob Klingenberg, p. 208, and Silenced in the Schoolhouse (2008) by Michael Williams, p. 5. (The mistake may have come about because John Adams and John Hancock are mentioned in Jennings' account immediately before Clark.) This is supposed to have been said in reply to Major Pitcairn's demand to “Disperse, ye villains, lay down your arms in the name of George the Sovereign King of England.” Clark's own account makes no mention or this (or any other) reply, however. “No king but King Jesus” was the slogan of the Fifth Monarchists during the Interregnum in England, but there is little evidence for its use during the American Revolution.
“
We recognize no sovereign but God, and no king but Jesus!
— John Adams
What It Means
This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "We recognize no sovereign but God, and no king but Jesus!" in the context of "Originally attributed to the “Rev. Jonas Clarke or one of his company” in “No King But King Jesus” (2001) (cache at Internet Archive) by Charles A. Jennings on his website Truth in History, and subsequently attributed to Adams in books like Is God with America? (2006) by Bob Klingenberg, p. 208, and Silenced in the Schoolhouse (2008) by Michael Williams, p. 5. (The mistake may have come about because John Adams and John Hancock are mentioned in Jennings' account immediately before Clark.) This is supposed to have been said in reply to Major Pitcairn's demand to “Disperse, ye villains, lay down your arms in the name of George the Sovereign King of England.” Clark's own account makes no mention or this (or any other) reply, however. “No king but King Jesus” was the slogan of the Fifth Monarchists during the Interregnum in England, but there is little evidence for its use during the American Revolution." to mean that wisdom is timeless.
Source:Wikiquote: "John Adams" (Misattributed: Statements originally made by others, that have been wrongly attributed to Adams )
The 'What it means' explanation text was generated by Google Gemini Flash (accessed January 18, 2026). https://gemini.google.com/app
John Adams (30 October 1735 – 4 July 1826) was an American lawyer, author, statesman, and diplomat. He served as the second president of the United States (1797–1801), the firstvice president (1789–1797), and as a Founding Father was a leader of American independence from the British Empire. Adams was a political theorist in the Age of Enlightenment who promoted republicanism and a strong central government. His innovative ideas were frequently published. He was also a dedicated diarist and correspondent, particularly with his wife and key advisor Abigail. He was the father of John Quincy Adams.
About John Adams
John Adams (30 October 1735 – 4 July 1826) was an American lawyer, author, statesman, and diplomat. He served as the second president of the United States (1797–1801), the firstvice president (1789–1797), and as a Founding Father was a leader of American independence from the British Empire. Adams was a political theorist in the Age of Enlightenment who promoted republicanism and a strong central government. His innovative ideas were frequently published. He was also a dedicated diarist and correspondent, particularly with his wife and key advisor Abigail. He was the father of John Quincy Adams.
