Acts 15:8
New International Version
God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us.

New Living Translation
God knows people’s hearts, and he confirmed that he accepts Gentiles by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us.

English Standard Version
And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us,

Berean Standard Bible
And God, who knows the heart, showed His approval by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as He did to us.

Berean Literal Bible
And the heart-knowing God bore witness to them, having given them the Holy Spirit, as also to us.

King James Bible
And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;

New King James Version
So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us,

New American Standard Bible
And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us;

NASB 1995
“And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us;

NASB 1977
“And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us;

Legacy Standard Bible
And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us;

Amplified Bible
And God, who knows and understands the heart, testified to them, giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us;

Christian Standard Bible
And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he also did to us.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
And God, who knows the heart, testified to them by giving the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us.

American Standard Version
And God, who knoweth the heart, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as he did unto us;

Contemporary English Version
He knows what is in everyone's heart. And he showed he had chosen the Gentiles, when he gave them the Holy Spirit, just as he had given his Spirit to us.

English Revised Version
And God, which knoweth the heart, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
God, who knows everyone's thoughts, showed that he approved of people who aren't Jewish by giving them the Holy Spirit as he gave the Holy Spirit to us.

Good News Translation
And God, who knows the thoughts of everyone, showed his approval of the Gentiles by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he had to us.

International Standard Version
God, who knows everyone's heart, showed them he approved by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us.

Majority Standard Bible
And God, who knows the heart, showed His approval by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as He did to us.

NET Bible
And God, who knows the heart, has testified to them by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us,

New Heart English Bible
God, who knows the heart, testified about them by giving the Holy Spirit, just like he did to us.

Webster's Bible Translation
And God, who knoweth the hearts, bore them witness, giving to them the Holy Spirit, even as he did to us:

Weymouth New Testament
And God, who knows all hearts, gave His testimony in their favour by bestowing the Holy Spirit on them just as He did on us;

World English Bible
God, who knows the heart, testified about them, giving them the Holy Spirit, just like he did to us.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and the heart-knowing God bore them testimony, having given to them the Holy Spirit, even as also to us,

Berean Literal Bible
And the heart-knowing God bore witness to them, having given them the Holy Spirit, as also to us.

Young's Literal Translation
and the heart-knowing God did bare them testimony, having given to them the Holy Spirit, even as also to us,

Smith's Literal Translation
And God the knower of hearts testified to them, having given them the Holy Spirit, as also us;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And God, who knoweth the hearts, gave testimony, giving unto them the Holy Ghost, as well as to us;

Catholic Public Domain Version
And God, who knows hearts, offered testimony, by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as to us.

New American Bible
And God, who knows the heart, bore witness by granting them the holy Spirit just as he did us.

New Revised Standard Version
And God, who knows the human heart, testified to them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And God, who knows what is in the heart, has testified concerning them, and has given them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“And God, who knows what is in the hearts, testified to them and gave them The Spirit of Holiness as to us.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And God, who knows the heart, became a witness for them, by giving them the Holy Spirit, as he gave it also to us;

Godbey New Testament
And God, who knows the heart, witnessed to them, giving to them the Holy Ghost, as also to us;

Haweis New Testament
And God, who is the discerner of the heart, bore them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as to us;

Mace New Testament
God who knows their hearts has granted them a testimonial, by giving them the holy spirit, even as he did to us:

Weymouth New Testament
And God, who knows all hearts, gave His testimony in their favour by bestowing the Holy Spirit on them just as He did on us;

Worrell New Testament
And the heart-knowing God bore witness to them, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as to us:

Worsley New Testament
And God who knoweth the heart, bare witness to them, giving them the holy Spirit, as He had done also to us:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Council at Jerusalem
7After much discussion, Peter got up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you that the Gentiles would hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8And God, who knows the heart, showed His approval by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as He did to us. 9He made no distinction between us and them, for He cleansed their hearts by faith.…

Cross References
Acts 10:44-47
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard his message. / All the circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. / For they heard them speaking in tongues and exalting God. Then Peter said, ...

Romans 8:27
And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

1 Corinthians 12:7-11
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. / To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by the same Spirit, / to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, ...

Galatians 3:2-5
I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing with faith? / Are you so foolish? After starting in the Spirit, are you now finishing in the flesh? / Have you suffered so much for nothing, if it really was for nothing? ...

Ephesians 1:13-14
And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth—the gospel of your salvation—you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, / who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory.

1 John 3:24
Whoever keeps His commandments remains in God, and God in him. And by this we know that He remains in us: by the Spirit He has given us.

1 John 4:13
By this we know that we remain in Him, and He in us: He has given us of His Spirit.

John 14:17
the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you.

John 16:13
However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come.

Romans 5:5
And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.

1 Corinthians 2:10-11
But God has revealed it to us by the Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. / For who among men knows the thoughts of man except his own spirit within him? So too, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

Hebrews 10:15-16
The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First He says: / “This is the covenant I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord. I will put My laws in their hearts and inscribe them on their minds.”

Ezekiel 36:26-27
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. / And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances.

Jeremiah 31:33-34
“But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people. / No longer will each man teach his neighbor or his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquities and will remember their sins no more.”

Joel 2:28-29
And afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. / Even on My menservants and maidservants, I will pour out My Spirit in those days.


Treasury of Scripture

And God, which knows the hearts, bore them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did to us;

which.

Acts 1:24
And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,

1 Samuel 16:7
But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

1 Kings 8:39
Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men;)

bare.

Acts 14:3
Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

John 5:37
And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.

Hebrews 2:4
God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

giving.

Acts 2:4
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 4:31
And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

Acts 10:44,45
While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word…

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Acts 15
1. Great dissensions arise regarding circumcision.
5. The apostles consult about it,
22. and send their determination by letters to the churches.
36. Paul and Barnabas, thinking to visit the brothers together,
39. disagree, and travel different ways.














And God
The phrase begins with the acknowledgment of God as the central figure in the narrative. In the Greek, "Theos" is used, emphasizing the monotheistic belief in one sovereign God. This sets the stage for understanding that the events described are under divine orchestration. Historically, this reflects the early church's reliance on God's authority in matters of doctrine and practice.

who knows the heart
The Greek term "kardiognostes" is used here, meaning "knower of hearts." This highlights God's omniscience, His ability to see beyond outward appearances and into the true intentions and thoughts of individuals. In a historical context, this was crucial for the early church as they navigated issues of inclusion and the authenticity of faith among Gentile believers.

showed His approval
The phrase indicates divine endorsement. The Greek word "martureo" means to bear witness or testify. This suggests that God's actions serve as a testimony to His will and purpose. In the context of Acts 15, this approval is significant as it validates the inclusion of Gentiles into the Christian community without the need for adherence to Jewish law.

by giving the Holy Spirit
The giving of the Holy Spirit is a pivotal moment in the early church, symbolizing God's presence and power among believers. The Greek word "didomi" means to give, indicating a generous and intentional act. The Holy Spirit's role as a guide, comforter, and source of strength is emphasized, reflecting the transformative power of God's presence in the lives of believers.

to them
This refers to the Gentile believers, highlighting the inclusivity of God's grace. The early church grappled with the question of whether Gentiles could be part of God's people without adhering to Jewish customs. This phrase underscores the radical nature of the Gospel, breaking down ethnic and cultural barriers.

just as He did to us
The phrase draws a parallel between the experiences of Jewish and Gentile believers. The Greek "kathos" means "just as" or "in the same way," emphasizing equality in the reception of the Holy Spirit. This was a powerful statement in the early church, affirming that all believers, regardless of background, are equal recipients of God's grace and Spirit.

(8) God which knoweth the hearts.--We note the recurrence of the epithet as characteristic of St. Peter. (See Note on Acts 1:24.)

Verse 8. - Heart for hearts, A.V. (καρδιογνώστης). Bare them witness; i.e. set the mark of his approval upon them, vouched for their sincerity (see the use of the verb μαρτυρέω in Luke 4:22; John 3:26; Acts 6:3; Acts 10:22, etc.).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
And
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

God,
Θεὸς (Theos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

who
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

knows the heart,
καρδιογνώστης (kardiognōstēs)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2589: A knower of the inner life (character, hearts). From kardia and ginosko; a heart-knower.

showed His approval
ἐμαρτύρησεν (emartyrēsen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3140: To witness, bear witness, give evidence, testify, give a good report. From martus; to be a witness, i.e. Testify.

by giving
δοὺς (dous)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1325: To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.

the
τὸ (to)
Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Holy
Ἅγιον (Hagion)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 40: Set apart by (or for) God, holy, sacred. From hagos; sacred.

Spirit
Πνεῦμα (Pneuma)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4151: Wind, breath, spirit.

to them,
αὐτοῖς (autois)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Neuter 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

just
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

as
καθὼς (kathōs)
Adverb
Strong's 2531: According to the manner in which, in the degree that, just as, as. From kata and hos; just as, that.

[He did] to us.
ἡμῖν (hēmin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.


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