Acts 21 20

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 verses

Acts 21 20 Meaning

The believers and elders in Jerusalem, upon hearing Paul's report of God's miraculous work among the Gentiles, glorified God in celebration. They then directed Paul's attention to the significant number of Jewish converts in Jerusalem and Judea, emphasizing that these many thousands remained fervent and dedicated to observing the Mosaic Law. This observation revealed a critical internal tension and the need for a delicate approach within the early church concerning Paul's reputation and the perception of his ministry among Jewish Christians.

Acts 21 20 Context

Acts chapter 21 chronicles Paul's final journey to Jerusalem, despite repeated warnings of suffering (Acts 21:4, 11-14). Upon arrival, Paul and his companions were warmly received by the Jerusalem church, specifically James (the Lord's brother) and the elders (Acts 21:18). Paul then recounted "all that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry" (Acts 21:19). The response in Acts 21:20 is immediate: praise for God's work. However, this verse quickly shifts to the elders' concern about the vast numbers of Jewish Christians in Jerusalem who remained "zealous for the Law." This set the stage for James's pragmatic suggestion (Acts 21:23-24) that Paul participate in a purification rite, aimed at publicly refuting widespread rumors that he taught Jewish believers to abandon the Mosaic Law, customs, and circumcision (Acts 21:21). The verse highlights the persistent tension within early Christianity between Jewish identity and faith in Christ, and how Paul's ministry was perceived by those Jewish believers.

Acts 21 20 Word analysis

• And when they heard it: The Greek term is ἀκούσαντες (akousantes), a participle from ἀκούω (akouō), meaning "to hear." This refers specifically to Paul's detailed account in Acts 21:19 concerning "what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry," highlighting the significant expansion of the Gospel beyond Jewish circles.

• they glorified God: The phrase is ἐδόξαζον τὸν Θεόν (edoxazon ton Theon), with ἐδόξαζον in the imperfect tense, suggesting a sustained or immediate outburst of praise. This demonstrates a sincere theological affirmation of God's power and work through Paul, acknowledging that the expansion of the Gospel to Gentiles was ultimately God's doing, not merely Paul's.

• and said to him: "Him" refers to Paul. The elders and James address Paul directly, transitioning from collective praise to a specific pastoral concern.

• 'You see, brother,': The Greek is Θεωρεῖς, ἀδελφέ (Theōreīs, adelphe). Θεωρεῖς (theōreīs) means "you perceive" or "you observe." It's a respectful, yet direct address, used to draw Paul's attention to a particular situation they believed he should understand fully. "Brother" signifies a familial bond in Christ and within their shared Jewish heritage.

• 'how many thousands of Jews there are': The phrase uses πόσαι μυριάδες Ἰουδαίων εἰσὶν (posai myriades Ioudaiōn eisin). Μυριάδες (myriades) literally means "tens of thousands." This indicates a very large and thriving Jewish Christian community, emphasizing the considerable spiritual fruit and numerical strength of the Gospel within Judaism in Jerusalem and its surrounding regions.

• 'who have believed': The Greek is τῶν πεπιστευκότων (tōn pepisteukotōn). This perfect active participle signifies not merely a past act of belief but a present state of having believed and continuing in that faith. These are genuine, Christ-following Jewish people.

• 'and all of them are zealous for the law': The Greek reads καὶ πάντες ζηλωταὶ τοῦ νόμου ὑπάρχουσιν (kai pantes zēlōtai tou nomou hyparchousin). "Ζηλωταί" (zēlōtai) means "zealous ones" or "enthusiasts." It describes an earnest, active commitment, bordering on fervor. Here, it refers to the Mosaic Law (τοῦ νόμου - tou nomou), encompassing not just moral commands but ceremonial laws, customs, and traditions associated with Jewish identity. This "zeal" signifies their continued adherence to Jewish practices, viewing their faith in Jesus as fulfilling, not abolishing, their Jewish identity, presenting a delicate challenge to Paul's Gentile mission, especially as it was misunderstood.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "glorified God and said to him, 'You see, brother...'": This transition showcases the careful diplomacy of the Jerusalem elders. Their initial glorifying of God affirmed Paul's ministry among Gentiles, but the subsequent direct address with "You see, brother" immediately shifts to a pressing local concern, highlighting their desire to work with Paul while also alerting him to the sensitivities within their community.
  • "how many thousands of Jews... who have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law": This concise summary presents both a cause for celebration (mass conversion of Jews) and the core pastoral challenge. It describes a large body of Jewish believers who, even after accepting Jesus as Messiah, maintained an unyielding devotion to their ancestral Law, traditions, and distinct Jewish way of life. This phrase is the immediate pre-amble to the elders' counsel to Paul in Acts 21:22-24, intended to clarify his position on the Law for these zealous Jewish Christians and preserve the unity of the body.

Acts 21 20 Bonus section

The "zeal for the Law" described in Acts 21:20 wasn't necessarily seen as incompatible with faith in Jesus by these Jewish believers, but rather as an expression of their continued identity within Judaism as completed and fulfilled in Christ. This demonstrates the varied trajectories of early Christian communities; not all Jewish Christians immediately abandoned the distinctive practices of their heritage (like dietary laws, festivals, or even circumcision for their children) simply because salvation came through Christ and not the Law. James's wisdom in navigating this tension (Acts 21:23-24) exemplifies a strategy of contextual ministry, seeking to alleviate misunderstandings and build bridges for the sake of the Gospel's unity, acknowledging cultural sensitivities where core doctrinal truths were not compromised. It shows the early church wrestling with the implications of the Messiah's coming for those deeply embedded in Israel's covenants and traditions, requiring leadership to find pathways for faithful continuity rather than immediate, sharp rupture from deeply cherished customs.

Acts 21 20 Commentary

Acts 21:20 vividly captures a moment of both profound joy and significant challenge within the early church. The Jerusalem elders celebrate God's work among the Gentiles, affirming the universality of the Gospel preached by Paul. Yet, this celebration is immediately juxtaposed with a crucial observation: the robust Jewish Christian community in Jerusalem maintained a strong and widespread "zeal for the Law." This zeal, while representing sincere devotion, created a pastoral dilemma. It suggested that while these thousands had embraced Jesus as Messiah, many still adhered fervently to Mosaic practices and would be sensitive to any teaching perceived as disparaging the Law of Moses. This situation formed the direct context for the elders' advice to Paul, aiming to prevent misjudgment and potential schism, demonstrating the pragmatic efforts of early church leaders to bridge cultural and theological nuances without compromising core truths of salvation by grace.