Acts 21:25 kjv
As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.
Acts 21:25 nkjv
But concerning the Gentiles who believe, we have written and decided that they should observe no such thing, except that they should keep themselves from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality."
Acts 21:25 niv
As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality."
Acts 21:25 esv
But as for the Gentiles who have believed, we have sent a letter with our judgment that they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality."
Acts 21:25 nlt
"As for the Gentile believers, they should do what we already told them in a letter: They should abstain from eating food offered to idols, from consuming blood or the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality."
Acts 21 25 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 15:5 | "But some of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed rose up..." | Early Jerusalem believers' background |
| Romans 10:2 | "For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not with knowledge." | Jewish zeal for God |
| Galatians 3:24 | "So the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith." | Purpose of the Law |
| Romans 7:12 | "Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good." | The Law's divine origin |
| Philippians 3:5 | "...circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin..." | Paul's own Jewish background |
| John 7:19 | "Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keeps the law?" | Emphasis on Law observance |
| John 5:45-47 | "Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father; there is one who accuses you, Moses..." | Moses and the Law |
| Romans 2:17-20 | "Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God..." | Boasting in the Law |
| Galatians 5:1-4 | "Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free..." | Warning against return to Law |
| 1 Corinthians 7:18 | "Was anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised..." | Circumcision's context |
| Luke 2:22-24 | "...to present Him to the Lord... to offer a sacrifice..." | Temple Law observance |
| Isaiah 2:3 | "...for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem." | Jerusalem as source of law |
| Acts 6:7 | "Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem..." | Growth of the Jerusalem church |
| Acts 21:20 | "And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord. And they said to him..." | Approval of Paul's ministry |
| Acts 21:21 | "...you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses..." | Accusation against Paul |
| Acts 15:1, 24 | "And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, 'Unless you are circumcised...'" | Dispute over Law observance |
| Romans 15:1 | "We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak..." | Bearing with others' weaknesses |
| 1 Corinthians 9:20 | "And to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law..." | Paul's strategy with Jews |
| Acts 2:41 | "Then those who gladly received his word were baptized..." | Early converts in Jerusalem |
| Acts 5:14 | "And more than ever people believed in the Lord, multitudes both of men and women." | Large numbers of believers |
| Hebrews 13:7 | "Remember those who led you, who spoke to you the word of God..." | Respect for spiritual leaders |
| Matthew 23:2-3 | "The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat; so practice and do whatever they tell you..." | Respect for authority/Law |
Acts 21 verses
Acts 21 25 Meaning
The verse states that the Jewish believers in Jerusalem informed Paul that "we have thousands of Jews who have believed, and all of them are zealous for the Law." This signifies a substantial community of Jewish followers of Jesus in Jerusalem, who, despite their belief in Christ, maintained a strong adherence to the Mosaic Law. This adherence included aspects like circumcision, dietary regulations, and Temple observance. Their zeal for the Law meant they actively practiced and defended its precepts.
Acts 21 25 Context
The context for Acts 21:25 is Paul's final visit to Jerusalem. He had been on his third missionary journey and felt compelled by the Holy Spirit to return to Jerusalem, despite knowing that danger awaited him (Acts 20:22-23). Upon arrival, he met with the elders of the church. The leaders there commended his ministry and recounted how God had used him greatly among the Gentiles. However, they also informed him of a widespread rumor among Jewish believers that Paul was teaching Jews living among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, which implied he was advocating against the Mosaic Law itself, specifically regarding circumcision. To dispel this rumor and demonstrate that Paul still walked orderly and kept the Law, the elders proposed that he participate in a Nazirite vow at the Temple. This verse is the explanation provided by the elders about the existing zealous Jewish believers in Jerusalem, setting the stage for their reasoning for this proposal to Paul. The historical context is the tension between the Law and the Gospel in the early church, particularly concerning Jewish converts.
Acts 21 25 Word analysis
- "Now": Indicates the continuation of the conversation and the presentation of factual information from the Jerusalem believers.
- "as for": Introduces a statement or explanation about a particular matter, here concerning the "thousands of Jews."
- "the Jews": Refers specifically to the Jewish population of Jerusalem, both believers and non-believers, but here emphasizes the believing faction within that population.
- "who have believed": Identifies a significant group of Jewish people who had accepted Jesus as the Messiah. This underscores their faith in Christ.
- "there are": States the existence and reality of this group.
- "thousands": Denotes a very large, incalculable number, signifying a substantial presence of Jewish believers in Jerusalem. This reflects the early growth of the church.
- "and": Connects the preceding statement with the following characteristic of these believers.
- "all of them": Emphasizes that this characteristic is universal among the Jewish believers being discussed. There are no exceptions within this specific group.
- "are zealous": Refers to intense enthusiasm, eagerness, and devotion. It suggests a passionate commitment.
- "for the Law": Points to the Mosaic Law (Torah) given through Moses. Their zeal is directed towards upholding its statutes, commandments, and traditions. This implies a conscious effort to live by its precepts.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- "thousands of Jews who have believed": This phrase highlights the remarkable success of the gospel among the Jewish population in Jerusalem during the early days of the church. It signifies that faith in Jesus was not exclusively a Gentile phenomenon and that a large, perhaps even the majority, of early Jewish followers of Jesus remained in Jerusalem. It speaks to the inclusivity of the early gospel message, appealing to both Jews and Gentiles.
- "all of them are zealous for the Law": This compound phrase captures a key dynamic within the early Jewish church. It means that adherence to the Law was not seen as incompatible with belief in Jesus. These believers genuinely committed to Jewish religious practices and customs, demonstrating that for them, faith in Christ did not necessitate abandoning their heritage or the covenant Law of Moses. It presented a unique challenge for Paul, who ministered to both Jewish and Gentile believers with different backgrounds concerning the Law.
Acts 21 25 Bonus section
This verse reveals the existence of a large, vibrant community of Jewish believers in Jerusalem who continued to uphold the traditions of Judaism. Their "zeal for the Law" did not contradict their belief in Christ; rather, it demonstrated how faith could be integrated into their existing cultural and religious framework. The elders’ intention in stating this was to prepare Paul for how to minister in Jerusalem and to provide a context for their advice regarding the Nazirite vow. They were ensuring that Paul was seen to respect their customs and the Law, thereby alleviating concerns and maintaining unity within the broader church. This situation reflects the ongoing theological discussion about the role of the Law in the life of believers, especially concerning the integration of Jewish and Gentile Christians into one body in Christ.
Acts 21 25 Commentary
The Jerusalem believers clarify for Paul that a massive number of Jewish people have come to faith in Christ, and crucially, they remain devoted adherents to the Mosaic Law. This statement serves a dual purpose: it attests to the faithfulness and robust presence of Jewish Christians in Jerusalem, while simultaneously explaining the sensitive environment Paul would face. Their "zeal for the Law" was a recognized characteristic that the elders felt Paul needed to be fully aware of, as it would influence how he navigated their community and the wider Jewish world. Their approach demonstrated a commitment to preserving their Jewish identity while embracing Jesus as Messiah, presenting a picture of continuity with their past even as they embraced a new covenant.