Acts 21:17 kjv
And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.
Acts 21:17 nkjv
And when we had come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.
Acts 21:17 niv
When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters received us warmly.
Acts 21:17 esv
When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly.
Acts 21:17 nlt
When we arrived, the brothers and sisters in Jerusalem welcomed us warmly.
Acts 21 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 20:21 | Testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God and of faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. | Paul's testimony to elders |
| Romans 15:18 | For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed, | Gentile obedience |
| Galatians 2:8 | For he who worked through Peter for the apostolic mission to the circumcised worked through me for the Gentiles, | Peter and Paul's missions |
| 1 Cor 15:10 | But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. | Grace enabling work |
| 2 Cor 5:18-20 | All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. | Ministry of reconciliation |
| John 1:14 | And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. | Grace and truth in Christ |
| Luke 1:28 | And he came to her and said, "Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!" | Favored one |
| Eph 3:2 | assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for your benefit, | Stewardship of grace |
| Col 1:6 | which is come unto you, as it is into all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth: | Grace bearing fruit |
| 1 Peter 4:10 | As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: | Stewards of grace |
| 1 Tim 1:14 | and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. | Overflowing grace |
| Rom 1:5 | through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, | Grace and apostleship |
| Rom 11:13 | Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry— | Apostle to Gentiles |
| Acts 14:27 | And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they recounted all that God had done with them, and how that he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. | Opening a door of faith |
| Acts 15:4 | When they received the church, they Related and told all that God had done with them. | Relating God's work |
| Acts 15:12 | And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they told what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. | Signs and wonders |
| Ps 43:5 | Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. | Hope and praise God |
| Gal 3:9 | so then those who are of faith are blessed by Abraham who believed. | Blessed by faith |
| Eph 2:11-22 | you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. | Brought near by Christ |
Acts 21 verses
Acts 21 17 Meaning
When Paul arrived in Jerusalem, the elders rejoiced upon hearing about the work God had done among the Gentiles. They recognized God's grace in Paul's ministry, as evidenced by the testimonies of many who had believed through his preaching.
Acts 21 17 Context
In Acts chapter 21, Paul has completed his third missionary journey and is on his way to Jerusalem. Despite warnings of impending danger, he is determined to go. Upon his arrival, he is welcomed by the believers in Jerusalem, including the elders. This particular verse highlights their reception of Paul and their acknowledgment of God's work through him among the non-Jewish people (Gentiles). The preceding chapters detail the incredible spread of the Gospel and the establishment of churches throughout Asia Minor and Greece, often amidst opposition. This welcome in Jerusalem is a significant moment, showcasing unity between Jewish and Gentile believers, though tensions surrounding the Law would soon surface.
Acts 21 17 Word Analysis
- And when we came (kai elthontwn h
mn): The Greek word for "and" (kai) is a conjunction connecting this event to previous actions. "When we came" (elthontwn hmn) uses the genitive absolute construction, indicating the time of the event. This signifies the arrival of Paul and his companions. - to Jerusalem (eis Jerusalh`m): "Jerusalem" was the spiritual and religious heart of Judaism, the place where the Temple stood and where God’s presence was most strongly associated. Paul's arrival here was highly significant for Jewish believers.
- the brethren (oi`
adelfoi): This term refers to fellow believers, the community of Christians in Jerusalem, emphasizing their familial bond in Christ. - rejoiced (h
galliasato): The Greek word (from mega, "great," and alloos, "to leap for joy") implies great, exultant joy, not just mild happiness. It conveys a strong positive reaction. - greatly (me
gala): This adverb amplifies the verb "rejoiced," indicating the intensity of their happiness. - And on the morrow (th
/ de/ ejxh``): "On the morrow" signifies the following day, indicating that the rejoicing and reception took place immediately. "De" is a conjunction that links this part of the narrative. - Paul (Sa`oulos): Refers to Paul, formerly Saul of Tarsus, the apostle to the Gentiles.
- went up with us (sun h`
min)…: "Went up" (anebhnai) has a topographical significance as Jerusalem was situated on a hill, making travel to it an ascent. It also carried a religious significance, referencing the pilgrimage to Jerusalem for festivals. "With us" signifies his fellowship with the believers. - unto James (pro
s ton Iakwbovn): "James" (Iakwbovn) refers to James, the brother of Jesus and a prominent leader in the Jerusalem church. His presence and acceptance of Paul were crucial for the unity of the church. - and all the elders (kai… p
ntes oipresby`teroi): "Elders" (presbyteroi) were the recognized leaders and overseers within the early church community. Their presence indicates the formal reception of Paul by the leadership of the Jerusalem church.
Group Analysis:
The phrase "the brethren rejoiced greatly" (oiadelfoi hgalliasato megala) captures the profound sense of community and shared celebration among believers. The mention of "James and all the elders" signifies the recognition and affirmation Paul received from the established leadership, particularly given the potential for skepticism or concern he might have faced as the apostle to the Gentiles. The combination of "went up" and "Jerusalem" evokes the historical and spiritual significance of their journey and arrival.
Acts 21 17 Bonus Section
The rejoicing of the Jerusalem believers highlights the early church's recognition of God's sovereign hand in spreading the Gospel. It serves as a counterpoint to the later debates that arose regarding the inclusion of Gentiles. The warmth of the reception contrasts with the eventual accusations and arrest Paul would experience in Jerusalem, illustrating the volatility of the situation and the spiritual forces at play. This scene demonstrates the power of shared faith to overcome potential ethnic and cultural divides within the nascent Christian community, at least initially.
Acts 21 17 Commentary
The brethren in Jerusalem, including James and the elders, expressed great joy upon Paul's arrival. This rejoicing was not merely a polite greeting but a genuine appreciation for the ministry God had granted Paul, particularly his success in bringing the Gospel to the Gentiles. Their affirmation underscored the unity of the early church, acknowledging that the same Holy Spirit was working through Paul among the Gentiles as He was among Jewish believers. It was a moment of unity and recognition before the significant challenges and controversies that Paul would soon face in Jerusalem regarding his ministry and the requirements for Gentile converts. This emphasizes the grace of God as the central theme of their celebration.