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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Acts 21:20 When they heard this, they glorified God. Then they said to Paul, "You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/acts/21-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/44_Act_21_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Acts 21:20 - Paul's Arrival at Jerusalem" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="When they heard this, they glorified God. 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Then they said to Paul: &#8220You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law. <a href="/nlt/acts/21.htm">New Living Translation</a> After hearing this, they praised God. And then they said, “You know, dear brother, how many thousands of Jews have also believed, and they all follow the law of Moses very seriously. <a href="/esv/acts/21.htm">English Standard Version</a> And when they heard it, they glorified God. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed. They are all zealous for the law, <a href="/bsb/acts/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> When they heard this, they glorified God. Then they said to Paul, “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law. <a href="/blb/acts/21.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And those having heard began glorifying God, and they said to him, "You see, brother, how many myriads there are among the Jews having believed, and are all zealous ones for the Law. <a href="/kjv/acts/21.htm">King James Bible</a> And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law: <a href="/nkjv/acts/21.htm">New King James Version</a> And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law; <a href="/nasb_/acts/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And when they heard about them, they began glorifying God; and they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all zealous for the Law; <a href="/nasb/acts/21.htm">NASB 1995</a> And when they heard it they began glorifying God; and they said to him, &#8220You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all zealous for the Law; <a href="/nasb77/acts/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And when they heard it they began glorifying God; and they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all zealous for the Law; <a href="/lsb/acts/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And when they heard it they began glorifying God; and they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all zealous for the Law; <a href="/amp/acts/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a> And when they heard it, they began glorifying and praising God; and they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands of believers there are among the Jews, and they are all enthusiastic supporters of the Law [of Moses]. <a href="/csb/acts/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> When they heard it, they glorified God and said, “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law. <a href="/hcsb/acts/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> When they heard it, they glorified God and said, &#8220You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law. <a href="/asv/acts/21.htm">American Standard Version</a> And they, when they heard it, glorified God; and they said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of them that have believed; and they are all zealous for the law: <a href="/cev/acts/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Everyone who heard this praised God and said to Paul: My friend, you can see how many tens of thousands of our people have become followers! And all of them are eager to obey the Law of Moses. <a href="/erv/acts/21.htm">English Revised Version</a> And they, when they heard it, glorified God; and they said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of them which have believed; and they are all zealous for the law: <a href="/gwt/acts/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> When the spiritual leaders heard about everything, they praised God. They said to Paul, "You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews are now believers, and all of them are deeply committed to Moses' Teachings. <a href="/gnt/acts/21.htm">Good News Translation</a> After hearing him, they all praised God. Then they said, "Brother Paul, you can see how many thousands of Jews have become believers, and how devoted they all are to the Law. <a href="/isv/acts/21.htm">International Standard Version</a> When they heard about it, they praised God and told him, "You see, brother, how many tens of thousands of believers there are among the Jews, and all of them are zealous for the Law. <a href="/msb/acts/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> When they heard this, they glorified the Lord. Then they said to Paul, ?You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law. <a href="/net/acts/21.htm">NET Bible</a> When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to him, "You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all ardent observers of the law. <a href="/nheb/acts/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> They, when they heard it, glorified God. They said to him, "You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all zealous for the Law. <a href="/wbt/acts/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said to him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are who believe; and they are all zealous of the law: <a href="/wey/acts/21.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> And they, when they had heard his statement, gave the glory to God. Then they said, "You see, brother, how many tens of thousands of Jews there are among those who have accepted the faith, and they are all zealous upholders of the Law. <a href="/web/acts/21.htm">World English Bible</a> They, when they heard it, glorified God. They said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/acts/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and they having heard, were glorifying the LORD. They also said to him, “You see, brother, how many myriads there are of Jews who have believed, and all are zealous of the Law, <a href="/blb/acts/21.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And those having heard began glorifying God, and they said to him, "You see, brother, how many myriads there are among the Jews having believed, and are all zealous ones for the Law. <a href="/ylt/acts/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and they having heard, were glorifying the Lord. They said also to him, 'Thou seest, brother, how many myriads there are of Jews who have believed, and all are zealous of the law, <a href="/slt/acts/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And they having heard, honoured the Lord, and said to him, Thou seest, brother, how many ten thousands of Jews there are having believed: and all are zealous of the law:<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/acts/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But they hearing it, glorified God, and said to him: Thou seest, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews that have believed: and they are all zealous for the law. <a href="/cpdv/acts/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And they, upon hearing it, magnified God and said to him: “You understand, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law. <a href="/nabre/acts/21.htm">New American Bible</a> They praised God when they heard it but said to him, “Brother, you see how many thousands of believers there are from among the Jews, and they are all zealous observers of the law. <a href="/nrsvce/acts/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> When they heard it, they praised God. Then they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands of believers there are among the Jews, and they are all zealous for the law.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/acts/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And when they heard it, they glorified God, and said to Paul, Our brother, see how many thousands there are in Judæa who are believers; and they are all zealous of the law; <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/acts/21.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And when they had heard, they praised God and said to him: “You see our brother, how many tens of thousands are in Judea who have believed, and they are all zealous of The Law.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/acts/21.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said to him: You see, brother, how many myriads of the Jews there are that believe, and they are all zealous for the law. <a href="/godbey/acts/21.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> And they hearing, continued to glorify God, and said to him, You see, brother, how many myriads there are of those who believe; and they are all zealots of the law: <a href="/haweis/acts/21.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> And they, when they heard it, glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many myriads there are of Jews who have believed; and they are all zealots for the law: <a href="/mace/acts/21.htm">Mace New Testament</a> upon hearing this, they gave glory to God: and thus address'd Paul, you see, brother, how many thousand believing Jews there are, all however zealous for the law. <a href="/wey/acts/21.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> And they, when they had heard his statement, gave the glory to God. Then they said, "You see, brother, how many tens of thousands of Jews there are among those who have accepted the faith, and they are all zealous upholders of the Law. <a href="/worrell/acts/21.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> And they, hearing it, were glorifying God, and said to him, "You observe, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews, of those who have believed; and they are all zealous for the law. <a href="/worsley/acts/21.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said to him, Thou seest, brother, how many myriads there are of the believing Jews, and they are all zealous for the law. <a href="/parallel/acts/21-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/in5WTRQ9BSQ?start=7102" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/acts/21.htm">Paul's Arrival at Jerusalem</a> …19Paul greeted them and recounted one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: Hoi (Art-NMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/191.htm" title="191: akousantes (V-APA-NMP) -- To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.">When they heard this,</a> <a href="/greek/1392.htm" title="1392: edoxazon (V-IIA-3P) -- To glorify, honor, bestow glory on. From doxa; to render glorious.">they glorified</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theon (N-AMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">God.</a> <a href="/greek/5037.htm" title="5037: te (Conj) -- And, both. A primary particle of connection or addition; both or also.">Then</a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: eipon (V-AIA-3P) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.">they said</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autō (PPro-DM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">to Paul,</a> <a href="/greek/2334.htm" title="2334: Theōreis (V-PIA-2S) -- From a derivative of theaomai; to be a spectator of, i.e. Discern, (experience) or intensively (acknowledge).">“You see,</a> <a href="/greek/80.htm" title="80: adelphe (N-VMS) -- A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.">brother,</a> <a href="/greek/4214.htm" title="4214: posai (IPro-NFP) -- How much, how great, how many. From an absolute pos and hos; interrogative pronoun how much (plural) many).">how many</a> <a href="/greek/3461.htm" title="3461: myriades (N-NFP) -- A myriad, group of ten thousand, a ten thousand. From murioi; a ten-thousand; by extension, a myriad or indefinite number.">thousands</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: eisin (V-PIA-3P) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist."></a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">of</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tois (Art-DMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2453.htm" title="2453: Ioudaiois (Adj-DMP) -- Jewish. From Iouda; Judaean, i.e. Belonging to Jehudah.">Jews</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tōn (Art-GMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/4100.htm" title="4100: pepisteukotōn (V-RPA-GMP) -- From pistis; to have faith, i.e. Credit; by implication, to entrust.">have believed,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3956.htm" title="3956: pantes (Adj-NMP) -- All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.">all</a> <a href="/greek/5225.htm" title="5225: hyparchousin (V-PIA-3P) -- To begin, am, exist, be in possession. From hupo and archomai; to begin under, i.e. Come into existence; expletively, to exist (verb).">of them are</a> <a href="/greek/2207.htm" title="2207: zēlōtai (N-NMP) -- One who is eagerly devoted to a person or a thing, a zealot. From zeloo; a zealot.">zealous</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">for the</a> <a href="/greek/3551.htm" title="3551: nomou (N-GMS) -- From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.">law.</a> 21But they are under the impression that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or observe our customs.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/acts/2-41.htm">Acts 2:41-47</a> Those who embraced his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to the believers that day. / They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. / A sense of awe came over everyone, and the apostles performed many wonders and signs. ... <a href="/acts/4-4.htm">Acts 4:4</a> But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand. <a href="/acts/6-7.htm">Acts 6:7</a> So the word of God continued to spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem grew rapidly, and a great number of priests became obedient to the faith. <a href="/acts/15-5.htm">Acts 15:5</a> But some believers from the party of the Pharisees stood up and declared, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses.” <a href="/romans/10-2.htm">Romans 10:2</a> For I testify about them that they are zealous for God, but not on the basis of knowledge. <a href="/galatians/1-14.htm">Galatians 1:14</a> I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. <a href="/philippians/3-5.htm">Philippians 3:5-6</a> circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin; a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; / as to zeal, persecuting the church; as to righteousness in the law, faultless. <a href="/james/1-1.htm">James 1:1</a> James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes of the Dispersion: Greetings. <a href="/james/2-10.htm">James 2:10</a> Whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. <a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Matthew 5:17-20</a> Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. / For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. / So then, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ... <a href="/matthew/23-23.htm">Matthew 23:23</a> Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. <a href="/luke/11-42.htm">Luke 11:42</a> Woe to you Pharisees! For you pay tithes of mint, rue, and every herb, but you disregard justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former. <a href="/john/7-19.htm">John 7:19</a> Has not Moses given you the law? Yet not one of you keeps it. Why are you trying to kill Me?” <a href="/john/12-42.htm">John 12:42-43</a> Nevertheless, many of the leaders believed in Him. But because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue. / For they loved praise from men more than praise from God. <a href="/2_kings/10-16.htm">2 Kings 10:16</a> saying, “Come with me and see my zeal for the LORD!” So he had him ride in his chariot.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said to him, You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:they glorified.<a href="/acts/4-21.htm">Acts 4:21</a> So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.<a href="/acts/11-18.htm">Acts 11:18</a> When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.<a href="/psalms/22-23.htm">Psalm 22:23,27</a> Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel… how.<a href="/acts/2-41.htm">Acts 2:41</a> Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.<a href="/acts/4-4.htm">Acts 4:4</a> Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.<a href="/acts/6-7.htm">Acts 6:7</a> And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.thousands.<a href="/luke/12-1.htm">Luke 12:1</a> In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.and they.<a href="/acts/15-1.htm">Acts 15:1,5,24</a> And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved… <a href="/acts/22-3.htm">Acts 22:3</a> I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.<a href="/romans/10-2.htm">Romans 10:2</a> For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/acts/15-8.htm">Accepted</a> <a href="/acts/19-26.htm">Believe</a> <a href="/acts/19-18.htm">Believed</a> <a href="/acts/20-21.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/acts/13-48.htm">Glorified</a> <a href="/acts/13-48.htm">Glorifying</a> <a href="/acts/13-48.htm">Glory</a> <a href="/acts/20-37.htm">Great</a> <a href="/acts/21-12.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/acts/21-12.htm">Hearing</a> <a href="/acts/21-11.htm">Jews</a> <a href="/acts/19-38.htm">Law</a> <a href="/acts/16-25.htm">Praise</a> <a href="/acts/11-18.htm">Praised</a> <a href="/acts/17-22.htm">Respect</a> <a href="/luke/7-44.htm">Seest</a> <a href="/acts/20-38.htm">Statement</a> <a href="/luke/12-1.htm">Tens</a> <a href="/luke/12-1.htm">Thousands</a> <a href="/zechariah/8-2.htm">Zealous</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/21-25.htm">Accepted</a> <a href="/acts/21-25.htm">Believe</a> <a href="/acts/22-19.htm">Believed</a> <a href="/acts/21-25.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/romans/1-21.htm">Glorified</a> <a href="/romans/15-17.htm">Glorifying</a> <a href="/acts/22-11.htm">Glory</a> <a href="/acts/21-35.htm">Great</a> <a href="/acts/22-2.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/acts/22-2.htm">Hearing</a> <a href="/acts/21-21.htm">Jews</a> <a href="/acts/21-24.htm">Law</a> <a href="/acts/27-35.htm">Praise</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/8-18.htm">Praised</a> <a href="/acts/24-21.htm">Respect</a> <a href="/james/2-22.htm">Seest</a> <a href="/acts/22-22.htm">Statement</a> <a href="/jude/1-14.htm">Tens</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-22.htm">Thousands</a> <a href="/acts/22-3.htm">Zealous</a><div class="vheading2">Acts 21</div>1. <a href="/acts/21-1.htm">Paul calls at the house of Philip, whose daughters prophesy.</a> 10. <a href="/acts/21-10.htm">Agabus, foretelling what should befall him at Jerusalem, </a> 13. <a href="/acts/21-13.htm">he will not be dissuaded from going thither.</a> 17. <a href="/acts/21-17.htm">He comes to Jerusalem;</a> 27. <a href="/acts/21-27.htm">where he is apprehended, and in great danger, but by the chief captain is rescued;</a> 37. <a href="/acts/21-37.htm">and requests, and is permitted to speak to the people.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/21.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/acts/21.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>When they heard this, they glorified God. This phrase indicates the response of the Jerusalem church leaders to Paul's report of his missionary work among the Gentiles. The act of glorifying God is a common biblical response to witnessing His work and is seen throughout Scripture (e.g., <a href="/luke/2-20.htm">Luke 2:20</a>, <a href="/acts/11-18.htm">Acts 11:18</a>). It reflects a recognition of God's sovereignty and the fulfillment of His promises to bring salvation to all nations (<a href="/genesis/12-3.htm">Genesis 12:3</a>, <a href="/isaiah/49-6.htm">Isaiah 49:6</a>). The leaders' reaction underscores the unity of purpose among early Christians, despite cultural and ethnic differences.Then they said to Paul, The leaders of the Jerusalem church, likely including James, the brother of Jesus, and other elders, address Paul directly. This interaction highlights the importance of communication and accountability within the early church. It also sets the stage for addressing potential conflicts between Jewish and Gentile believers, a recurring theme in Acts and Paul's epistles (<a href="/galatians/2-11.htm">Galatians 2:11-14</a>).“You see, brother, The use of "brother" signifies the familial bond among believers, transcending ethnic and cultural divisions. This term of endearment reflects the early church's emphasis on unity in Christ (<a href="/galatians/3-28.htm">Galatians 3:28</a>). It also acknowledges Paul's Jewish heritage and his role as an apostle to the Gentiles, bridging the gap between Jewish and Gentile Christians.how many thousands of Jews have believed, The mention of "thousands" indicates the significant growth of the early church in Jerusalem, fulfilling the prophecy of a remnant of Israel turning to the Messiah (<a href="/romans/11-5.htm">Romans 11:5</a>). This growth is a testament to the power of the Holy Spirit at work since Pentecost (<a href="/acts/2-41.htm">Acts 2:41</a>). It also highlights the continued relevance of the gospel to the Jewish people, despite the church's expansion among the Gentiles.and all of them are zealous for the law. This phrase reflects the cultural and religious context of Jewish believers who maintained a strong commitment to the Mosaic Law. Their zeal is reminiscent of Paul's own former zeal for the law (<a href="/philippians/3-5.htm">Philippians 3:5-6</a>) and underscores the tension between adherence to Jewish customs and the new covenant in Christ. This tension is addressed in various New Testament writings, emphasizing the fulfillment of the law through faith in Jesus (<a href="/romans/10-4.htm">Romans 10:4</a>, <a href="/galatians/3-24.htm">Galatians 3:24-25</a>). The early church grappled with integrating Jewish traditions with the freedom found in Christ, a theme that continues to resonate in discussions of faith and cultural identity.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul.htm">Paul</a> The apostle who is reporting to the Jerusalem church about his ministry among the Gentiles. 2. <a href="/topical/j/james.htm">James</a> The leader of the Jerusalem church, likely the half-brother of Jesus, who is present during this meeting. 3. <a href="/topical/j/jerusalem_church_elders.htm">Jerusalem Church Elders</a> The leaders of the early Christian community in Jerusalem who are listening to Paul's report. 4. <a href="/topical/j/jewish_believers.htm">Jewish Believers</a> Thousands of Jews who have come to faith in Jesus and are zealous for the Mosaic Law. 5. <a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a> The city where this meeting takes place, a central location for Jewish worship and early Christian activity.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/z/zeal_for_the_law_and_faith_in_christ.htm">Zeal for the Law and Faith in Christ</a> The Jewish believers' zeal for the law reflects their deep commitment to their heritage. However, it is crucial to balance this zeal with the understanding that salvation comes through faith in Christ, not adherence to the law. <a href="/topical/u/unity_in_diversity.htm">Unity in Diversity</a> The early church faced challenges in uniting Jewish and Gentile believers. Today, we can learn from their example by embracing diversity within the body of Christ while maintaining unity in core beliefs. <a href="/topical/g/glorifying_god_in_all_circumstances.htm">Glorifying God in All Circumstances</a> The response of glorifying God upon hearing about the faith of the Jewish believers reminds us to always give glory to God for the work He is doing in the lives of others, regardless of cultural or traditional differences. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_tradition.htm">The Role of Tradition</a> Traditions can be valuable in maintaining cultural identity, but they should not overshadow the transformative power of the gospel. Believers are encouraged to evaluate traditions in light of Scripture. <a href="/topical/w/witnessing_to_different_cultures.htm">Witnessing to Different Cultures</a> Paul's ministry among the Gentiles and his report to the Jewish believers highlight the importance of being sensitive and adaptable when sharing the gospel across cultural boundaries.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_acts_21.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Acts 21</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_a_jewish_christian.htm">What defines a Jewish Christian?</a> <a href="/q/what_did_paul_do_between_journeys_3_and_4.htm">What did Paul do between his third and fourth journeys?</a> <a href="/q/do_records_confirm_early_baptism_rites.htm">Hebrews 6:2: Do historical or archaeological records confirm the practices of multiple baptisms and the laying on of hands among early believers? </a> <a href="/q/does_paul's_ritual_conflict_with_faith_alone.htm">Acts 21:17–26 – Does Paul’s participation in Jewish purification rituals conflict with the New Testament teaching on salvation by faith alone? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/acts/21.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(20) They glorified the Lord.--The better MSS. give, "they glorified God." The tense implies continued action, and although its meaning would be satisfied by assuming mere ejaculations of wonder and praise, it is, at least, not improbable that there was a more formal thanksgiving.How many thousands of Jews there are which believe.--Literally, how many myriads--i.e., tens of thousands. The numbers seem large if we think of the population of Jerusalem only, but the crowds that came from all quarters to the Feast of Pentecost (see Note on <a href="/acts/2-1.htm" title="And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.">Acts 2:1</a>) would fully justify the statement. The speaker here is obviously St. James, as the president of the assembly. There is no trace of the presence of any of the Apostles.They are all zealous of the law.--Better, the word being a substantive and not an adjective, zealots for the law. The term was an almost technical one for the most rigid class of Pharisees. (See Note on Simon the Canaanite, <a href="/matthew/10-4.htm" title="Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.">Matthew 10:4</a>.) So St. Paul describes himself as in this sense a "zealot" (<a href="/acts/22-3.htm" title="I am truly a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as you all are this day.">Acts 22:3</a>; <a href="/galatians/1-14.htm" title="And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.">Galatians 1:14</a>).<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/acts/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 20. - They, when they heard it for when they heard it, they, A.V.; God for the Lord, A.V. and T.R.; they said for said, A.V.; there are among the Jews of them which have believed for of Jews there are which believe, A.V. and T.R.; for the Law for of the Law, A.V. They... glorified God. There is not the slightest symptom on the part of James and the elders of unfriendliness towards St. Paul, or jealousy or opposition to his work among the Gentiles (comp. <a href="/galatians/2-7.htm">Galatians 2:7-9</a>). The appellation brother is another indication of friendly feeling. Thousands (Greek μυριάδες, tens of thousands). These need not be deemed to be all Jerusalem Jews; if applied to the Church at Jerusalem only, such a word would be probably a gross exaggeration; but there were great numbers of Jews of the dispersion assembled at Jerusalem for Pentecost - probably all the Christian Jews of Judaea, and many from Syria, Galatia, Pontus, and the various countries enumerated in <a href="/acts/2-9.htm">Acts 2:9-11</a>. So that there might be several myriads of converted Jews altogether. All zealous for the Law. This is a remarkable testimony to the unanimity of the Christian Jews in their attachment to the Law of Moses, and throws light upon the Epistle to the Galatians and many other passages in St. Paul's Epistles. It explains the great difficulty experienced in the early Church in dealing with converts from Judaism. Zealous (ζηλωταὶ). So the fierce sect of Zealots were called at the time of the Jewish wars (see Josephus, ' Bell. Jud.,' 4. 6:1, and elsewhere). <a href="/commentaries/acts/21-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>When they heard [this], ἀκούσαντες (akousantes) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_191.htm">Strong's 191: </a> To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear. they glorified ἐδόξαζον (edoxazon) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1392.htm">Strong's 1392: </a> To glorify, honor, bestow glory on. From doxa; to render glorious. God. Θεόν (Theon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. Then τε (te) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_5037.htm">Strong's 5037: </a> And, both. A primary particle of connection or addition; both or also. they said εἶπόν (eipon) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2036.htm">Strong's 2036: </a> Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say. to [Paul], αὐτῷ (autō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. “You see, Θεωρεῖς (Theōreis) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2334.htm">Strong's 2334: </a> From a derivative of theaomai; to be a spectator of, i.e. Discern, (experience) or intensively (acknowledge). brother, ἀδελφέ (adelphe) Noun - Vocative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_80.htm">Strong's 80: </a> A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote. how many πόσαι (posai) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4214.htm">Strong's 4214: </a> How much, how great, how many. From an absolute pos and hos; interrogative pronoun how much (plural) many). thousands μυριάδες (myriades) Noun - Nominative Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3461.htm">Strong's 3461: </a> A myriad, group of ten thousand, a ten thousand. From murioi; a ten-thousand; by extension, a 'myriad' or indefinite number. of ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. Jews Ἰουδαίοις (Ioudaiois) Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2453.htm">Strong's 2453: </a> Jewish. From Iouda; Judaean, i.e. Belonging to Jehudah. have believed, πεπιστευκότων (pepisteukotōn) Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> From pistis; to have faith, i.e. Credit; by implication, to entrust. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. all πάντες (pantes) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole. of them are ὑπάρχουσιν (hyparchousin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5225.htm">Strong's 5225: </a> To begin, am, exist, be in possession. From hupo and archomai; to begin under, i.e. Come into existence; expletively, to exist (verb). zealous ζηλωταὶ (zēlōtai) Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2207.htm">Strong's 2207: </a> One who is eagerly devoted to a person or a thing, a zealot. From zeloo; a 'zealot'. for the τοῦ (tou) Article - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Law. νόμου (nomou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3551.htm">Strong's 3551: </a> From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/acts/21-20.htm">Acts 21:20 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/acts/21-20.htm">Acts 21:20 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/acts/21-20.htm">Acts 21:20 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/acts/21-20.htm">Acts 21:20 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/acts/21-20.htm">Acts 21:20 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/acts/21-20.htm">Acts 21:20 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/acts/21-20.htm">Acts 21:20 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/acts/21-20.htm">Acts 21:20 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/acts/21-20.htm">Acts 21:20 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/acts/21-20.htm">Acts 21:20 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/acts/21-20.htm">NT Apostles: Acts 21:20 They when they heard it glorified God (Acts of the Apostles Ac) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/acts/21-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Acts 21:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Acts 21:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/acts/21-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Acts 21:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Acts 21:21" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>