What is the meaning of Acts 21:20? When they heard this, they glorified God Acts 21:19 tells us Paul had just recounted “one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.” • James and the Jerusalem elders immediately turn the spotlight where it belongs—on God, not on Paul (cf. Acts 14:27; 11:18). • Their reaction echoes earlier moments when believers burst into praise after hearing of God’s saving work (Luke 2:20; Acts 4:21). • Genuine spiritual leadership celebrates every advance of the gospel, whether among Jews or Gentiles (Romans 15:9–11). Then they said to Paul, “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed” • The word translated “thousands” (literally “myriads”) points to a vast number—evidence that the gospel was thriving in Jerusalem too (Acts 2:41; 4:4; 6:7). • These men and women had believed in Jesus as Messiah while remaining within Jewish society, fulfilling God’s promise of a remnant chosen by grace (Romans 11:5). • By calling Paul “brother,” the elders affirm their unity in Christ despite differing ministry focuses (Galatians 2:7–9). and all of them are zealous for the law • “Zealous” mirrors Paul’s own former passion (Galatians 1:14) but is now redirected toward honoring God through Christ (Romans 10:2). • Their devotion to the Mosaic Law was cultural and devotional, not a means of earning salvation (Acts 15:5–11). • Paul himself modeled flexibility: “To those under the law I became like one under the law” (1 Corinthians 9:20), showing that honoring Jewish customs could coexist with preaching salvation by grace (Acts 18:18; 20:16). • The elders raise this point to prepare Paul for misunderstandings that would soon arise (Acts 21:21), underscoring the need for sensitivity when diverse believers live side by side. summary Acts 21:20 records a two-fold response in Jerusalem: joyful praise to God for Gentile conversions and an honest acknowledgment of countless Jewish believers still committed to the Law. The verse highlights unity in Christ amid cultural diversity, reminding us that God’s grace gathers people from every background while calling all to honor Him first. |
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