Acts 15 · Verse 21

Acts 15:21

For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

Acts 15:21, King James Version

Acts 15:21 in other translations

BSB	For Moses has been proclaimed in every city from ancient times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”
WEB	For Moses from generations of old has in every city those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”
ASV	For Moses from generations of old hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath.
YLT	for Moses from former generations in every city hath those preaching him--in the synagogues every sabbath being read.'
DARBY	For Moses, from generations of old, has in every city those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath.
BBE	For Moses, from times long past, has his preachers in every town, reading his law in the Synagogues every Sabbath.
Webster	For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath.

What does Acts 15:21 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

21. For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him ... every sabbath day--thus keeping alive in every Jew those feelings which such practices would shock, and which, therefore, the Gentile converts must carefully respect if the oneness of both classes in Christ was to be practically preserved. The wisdom of these suggestions commended itself to all present.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 21. For Moses. The meaning of this verse is, that the law of Moses, prohibiting these things, was read in the synagogues constantly. As these commands were constantly read, and as the Jewish converts would not soon learn that their ceremonial law had ceased to be binding, it was deemed to be a matter of expediency that no needless offence should be given to them. For the sake of peace, it was better that they should abstain from meat offered to idols than to give offence to the Jewish converts. Comp. 1Cor 8:10-13.

Of old time. Greek, From ancient generations. It is an established custom; and therefore his laws are well known, and have, in their view, not only the authority of revelation, but the venerableness of antiquity.

In every city. Where there were Jews. This was the case in all the cities to which the discussion here had reference.

Them that preach him. That is, by reading the law of Moses. But in addition to reading the law, it was customary also to offer an explanation of its meaning. Lk 14:16, and Lk 4:17-22.

(*) "old time" "From ancient generations" (a) "being read" Acts 13:15,27

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 21 Moses of old time hath in every city - The sense of this verse seems to be this: As it was necessary to write to the Gentiles what was strictly necessary to be observed by them, relative to these points, it was not so to the converted Jews; for they had Moses, that is, the law, preached to them, κατα πολιν, in the city, that is, Antioch; and, by the reading of the law in the synagogues every Sabbath day, they were kept in remembrance of those institutions which the Gentiles, who had not the law, could not know. Therefore, James thought that a letter to the converted Gentiles would be sufficient, as the converted Jews had already ample instruction on these points.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Acts 15:7-21

We see from the words "purifying their hearts by faith," and the address of St. Peter, that justification by faith, and sanctification by the Holy Ghost, cannot be separated; and that both are the gift of God. We have great cause to bless God that we have heard the gospel. May we have that faith which the great Searcher of hearts approves, and attests by the seal of the Holy Spirit. Then our hearts and consciences…

Read the full comment on Acts 15:7-21 →

Acts 15:21 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.

ΜωϋσῆςMōusēsMosesG3475

γὰρgarforG1063

ἐκekfromG1537

γενεῶνgeneōngenerationsG1074

ἀρχαίωνarchaiōnof oldG744

κατὰkatain everyG2596

πόλινpolincityG4172

τοὺςtousthoseG3588

κηρύσσονταςkērussontasproclaimingG2784

αὐτὸνautonhimG846

ἔχειecheihe isG2192

ἐνeninG1722

ταῖςtaistheG3588

συναγωγαῖςsunagōgaissynagoguesG4864

κατὰkataonG2596

πᾶνpaneveryG3956

σάββατονsabbatonSabbathG4521

ἀναγινωσκόμενος.¶anaginōskomenosbeing read.G314

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Acts 15:21

Acts 13:15
And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.
Acts 13:27
For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.
2 Corinthians 3:14-15
But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.
Nehemiah 8:1-12
And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded to Israel. And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month. And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law. And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam. …
Luke 4:16
And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

sabbath.
13:15,27; Ne 8:1-12; Lu 4:16

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

Acts 15:20
But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
Acts 15:21
For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.
Acts 15:22
Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:

Read all of Acts 15

Acts 15:21 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Porque Moisés desde los tiempos antiguos tiene en cada ciudad quien le predique en las sinagogas, donde es leído cada sábado.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	car Moïse, dès les générations anciennes, a dans chaque ville ceux qui le prêchent, étant lu dans les synagogues chaque sabbat.
German Elberfelder 1871	Denn Moses hat von alten Zeiten her in jeder Stadt solche, die ihn predigen, indem er an jedem Sabbath in den Synagogen gelesen wird.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Moyses enim a temporibus antiquis habet in singulis civitatibus qui eum prædicent in synagogis, ubi per omne sabbatum legitur.