Acts 14:15
And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:
Acts 14:15 in other translations
| BSB | “Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them. |
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| WEB | “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men of the same nature as you, and bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to the living God, who made the sky, the earth, the sea, and all that is in them; |
| ASV | and saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and bring you good tidings, that ye should turn from these vain things unto a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that in them is: |
| YLT | and saying, ‘Men, why these things do ye? and we are men like-affected with you, proclaiming good news to you, from these vanities to turn unto the living God, who made the heaven, and the earth, and the sea, and all the things in them; |
| DARBY | and saying, Men, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, preaching to you to turn from these vanities to the living God, who made the heaven, and the earth, and the sea, and all things in them; |
| BBE | Good people, why are you doing these things? We are men with the same feelings as you, and we give you the good news so that you may be turned away from these foolish things to the living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all things in them: |
| Webster | And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach to you, that ye should turn from these vanities to the living God, who made heaven and earth, and the sea, and all things that are in them. |
What does Acts 14:15 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Acts 14:14-18
14-18. when ... Barnabas and Paul heard--Barnabas is put first here, apparently as having been styled the "Jupiter" of the company. they rent their clothes and ran in--rather (according to the true reading), "ran forth." among the people, crying out ... Sirs, why do ye these things?--This was something more than that abhorrence of idolatry which took possession of the Jews as a nation from the time of the Babylonish…
Barnes' Notes
Why do ye these things?.
This is an expression of solemn remonstrance at the folly of their conduct in worshipping those who were men. The abhorrence which they evinced at this may throw strong light on the rank and character of the Lord Jesus Christ. When an offer was made to worship Paul and Barnabas, they shrank from it with strong expressions of indignation and abhorrence. Yet when similar worship was offered to the Lord Jesus, when he was addressed by Thomas in the language of worship, "My Lord and my God," (Jn 20:28,) he commended the disciple. For this act he uttered not the slightest reproof. Nay, he approved it, and expressed his approbation of others who should also do it, Jn 20:29; comp. Jn 5:23. How can this difference be accounted for, except on the supposition that the Lord Jesus was Divine? Would he, if a mere man, receive homage as God, when his disciples rejected it with horror?
Of like passions with you. We are men like yourselves. We have no claim, no pretensions to anything more. The word "passions" here means simply that they had the common feelings and propensities of men; we have the nature of men; the affections of men. It does not mean that they were subject to any improper passions, to ill temper, etc.,as some have supposed; but that they did not pretend to be gods, We need food and drink; we are exposed to pain and sickness, and death." The Latin Vulgate renders it, "We are mortal like yourselves." The expression stands opposed to the proper conception of God, who is not subject to these affections, who is most blessed and immortal. Such a Being only is to be worshipped; and the apostles remonstrated strongly with them on Comp. Jas 5:17, "Elias [Elijah] was a man subject to like passions as we are," etc.
That ye should turn from these vanities. That you should cease to worship idols. Idols are often called vanities, or vain things, De 32:21, 2Kgs 17:15, 1Kgs 16:13,26; Jer 2:5, 8:19, 10:8, Jonah 2:8. They are called vanities, and often a lie, or lying vanities, as opposed to the living and true God, because they are unreal, because they have no power to help, because confidence in them is vain.
Unto the living God. 1Thes 1:9. He is called the living God to distinguish him from idols. Mt 16:16.
Which made heaven, etc. Who thus showed that he was the only proper object of worship. This doctrine, that there was one God, who had made all things, was new to them. They worshipped multitudes of divinities; and though they regarded Jupiter as the father of gods and men, yet they had no conception that all things had been formed from nothing by the will of one Infinite Being.
(f) "We also" Acts 10:26, Jas 5:17, Rev 19:10 (g) "vanities" 1Sam 12:21, 1Kgs 16:13, Jer 14:22, Jonah 2:8, 1Cor 8:4 (h) "the living God" 1Thes 1:9 (i) "which made" Gen 1:1, Ps 33:6, 146:6, Rev 14:7
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Acts 14:8-18
All things are possible to those that believe. When we have faith, that most precious gift of God, we shall be delivered from the spiritual helplessness in which we were born, and from the dominion of sinful habits since formed; we shall be made able to stand upright and walk cheerfully in the ways of the Lord. When Christ, the Son of God, appeared in the likeness of men, and did many miracles, men were so far from…
Acts 14:15 in the original Greek
Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for Acts 14:15
- 1 Samuel 12:21
And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain.
- Psalms 146:5-6
Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God: Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever:
- 1 Corinthians 8:4
As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.
- Acts 10:26
But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.
- James 5:17
Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.
- Revelation 14:7
Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
- Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
- Jeremiah 14:22
Are there any among the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause rain? or can the heavens give showers? art not thou he, O Lord our God? therefore we will wait upon thee: for thou hast made all these things.
- Acts 17:24-30
God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: …
- Ephesians 4:17
This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
- 1 Thessalonians 1:9
For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;
- Deuteronomy 32:21
They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
7:26; 16:30; 27:10,21,25
why.
10:26; Re 19:19; 22:9
We also.
3:12,13; 12:22,23; Ge 41:16; Da 2:28-30; Joh 7:18
of like.
Jas 5:17; Re 19:10
and preach.
17:16-18,29,30; 26:17-20
from.
De 32:21; 1Sa 12:21; 1Ki 16:13,26; Ps 31:6; Isa 44:9,10,19,20
Isa 45:20; 46:7; Jer 8:19; 10:3-5,8,14,15; 14:22; Am 2:4; Jon 2:8
Ro 1:21-23; 1Co 8:4; Eph 4:17
the living.
De 5:26; Jos 3:10; 1Sa 17:26,36; 2Ki 19:4,16; Jer 10:10; Da 6:26
Joh 5:26; 1Th 1:9; 1Ti 3:15; Heb 3:12
which.
4:24; 17:24-28; Ge 1:1; Ps 33:6; 124:8; 146:5,6; Pr 8:23-31
Isa 45:18; Jer 10:11; 32:17; Zec 12:1; Ro 1:20; Re 14:7
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain
Context
- Acts 14:14
Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,
- Acts 14:15
And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:
- Acts 14:16
Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.
Acts 14:15 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Y diciendo: Varones, ¿por qué hacéis esto? Nosotros también somos hombres semejantes á vosotros, que os anunciamos que de estas vanidades os convirtáis al Dios vivo, que hizo el cielo y la tierra, y la mar, y todo lo que está en ellos: |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | et disant: Hommes, pourquoi faites-vous ces choses? Nous sommes, nous aussi, des hommes ayant les mêmes passions que vous; et nous vous annonçons que de ces choses vaines vous vous tourniez vers le Dieu vivant, qui a fait le ciel, et la terre, et la mer, et toutes les choses qui y sont; |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | und sprachen: Männer, warum tut ihr dieses? Auch wir sind Menschen von gleichen Empfindungen wie ihr und verkündigen euch, daß ihr euchb von diesen nichtigen Götzen bekehren sollt zu dem lebendigen Gott, welcher den Himmel und die Erde und das Meer gemacht hat und alles, was in ihnen ist; |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | qui in præteritis generationibus dimisit omnes gentes ingredi vias suas. |