Acts 21:20 kjv
And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:
Acts 21:20 nkjv
And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord. And they said to him, "You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law;
Acts 21:20 niv
When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: "You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law.
Acts 21:20 esv
And when they heard it, they glorified God. And they said to him, "You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed. They are all zealous for the law,
Acts 21:20 nlt
After hearing this, they praised God. And then they said, "You know, dear brother, how many thousands of Jews have also believed, and they all follow the law of Moses very seriously.
Acts 21 20 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 15:4 | And when they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and apostles and elders... | Their reception in Jerusalem. |
| Acts 15:12 | And all the assembly fell silent... | Agreement in Jerusalem council. |
| Acts 15:19 | Therefore my judgment is that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who turn to God... | Decision of the Jerusalem council. |
| Rom 1:13 | I want you to know, brothers, that sometimes I have planned to come to you but have been prevented... | Paul’s desire to minister to Jews and Gentiles. |
| Rom 15:15-16 | But I write to you to some extent to remind you, because of the grace given me by God to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles... | Paul’s specific commission. |
| Rom 15:20-21 | and thus my ambition was to preach the gospel, not where Christ had already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation, but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.” | Paul’s missionary principle. |
| 1 Cor 1:10 | I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no divisions among you... | Unity in the church. |
| Gal 2:9 | and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, recognized the grace given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised... | Recognition of Paul’s ministry. |
| Eph 3:8 | To me, though I am less than the least of all the holy ones, this grace was given to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ... | Grace to preach to Gentiles. |
| 1 Thess 2:16 | while they [the Jews] still on every occasion put up no barrier but earn their doom to the uttermost, for the wrath is come upon them at its furthest. | Jewish opposition. |
| Heb 13:17 | Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be fatal to you. | Submission to church leaders. |
| 1 Pet 4:10 | As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace. | Stewarding God's grace. |
| Psa 86:9 | All the nations whom you have made shall come and bow down before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name. | Gentiles glorifying God. |
| Isa 11:10 | In that day the root of Jesse shall stand as an ensign to the peoples; to it shall the nations seek, and his resting place shall be glorious. | Nations seeking the Messiah. |
| Isa 42:6 | “I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant to the people, a light for the nations. | Jesus as a light to nations. |
| Isa 49:6 | “It is too small a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved of Israel; I will give you as a light to the Gentiles, that you may be my salvation to the end of the earth.” | Servant’s mission to Gentiles. |
| Luke 2:32 | a light of revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” | Prophecy of Jesus’ purpose. |
| John 12:20 | Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. | Greeks seeking Jesus. |
| John 12:32 | And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” | Jesus drawing all people. |
| John 17:21 | that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. | Unity for world belief. |
Acts 21 verses
Acts 21 20 Meaning
The elders of the Jewish believers in Jerusalem saw how God had blessed Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles. They praised God for it. This indicates a recognition and approval of Paul's mission and its success among non-Jews, suggesting reconciliation and unity within the early church, despite potential differences in practice or background.
Acts 21 20 Context
This verse appears in Acts chapter 21, following Paul’s journey back to Jerusalem. Despite warnings of trouble, Paul felt compelled by the Holy Spirit to go to Jerusalem, where he was met by believers. He recounts his ministry to the Gentiles to James and the elders. The leaders in Jerusalem acknowledge and praise God for the fruit of Paul's work among the non-Jews. This event occurs within the broader narrative of the early church's effort to integrate Jewish and Gentile believers and navigate the implications of the Gospel for different cultural backgrounds. It’s a moment of affirmation for Paul's apostolic mission and a demonstration of the unity of the early church.
Acts 21 20 Word Analysis
- And (καὶ - kai): A conjunction connecting this verse to the preceding action or statement, emphasizing continuity.
- When (ὅτε - hote): A temporal conjunction introducing a specific point in time.
- they (αὐτοὶ - autoi): Refers to the elders of the Jewish believers in Jerusalem.
- heard (ἤκουον - ēkouon): A imperfect tense verb, suggesting they were actively listening to the report.
- it (αὐτοῦ - autou): Refers to the report of Paul's ministry.
- they (αὐτοὶ - autoi): Again, referring to the elders.
- glorified (δοξάζω - doxazō): To ascribe glory, honor, praise. In this context, giving praise to God.
- God (Θεόν - Theon): The Almighty, creator and sustainer of all.
Words Group Analysis
- “And when they heard it, they glorified God.” This phrase captures a collective positive reaction to the news of God's work through Paul. It's not just a neutral reception but an active praise directed towards God, acknowledging His sovereignty and power in extending salvation to the Gentiles.
Acts 21 20 Bonus Section
The phrase "glorified God" in this verse underscores a core tenet of Christian faith: attributing all good works and salvation to God alone. It reflects the attitude of the early church, where success in evangelism was seen as a testament to God's power, not the individuals' merit. This verse serves as an example of communal faith, where believers rejoice together in the spread of the Gospel and acknowledge God as the source of all spiritual fruit.
Acts 21 20 Commentary
The elders in Jerusalem’s reaction to Paul’s ministry highlights a crucial aspect of the early church’s maturation. They didn't express envy or doubt, but genuine rejoicing and praise to God. This response demonstrates the spiritual wisdom of these leaders, recognizing God’s hand in Paul's extensive work among the Gentiles. It confirms the affirmation given to Paul at the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) that his mission was indeed blessed by God. Their praise signifies acceptance and support for the Gentile mission, contributing to the church's growing understanding of its universal scope.