For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”
Parallel translations
- WEB For Moses from generations of old has in every city those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”
- KJV For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.
- BSB For Moses has been proclaimed in every city from ancient times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”
- NASB For from ancient generations Moses has those who preach him in every city, since he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”
- NLT For these laws of Moses have been preached in Jewish synagogues in every city on every Sabbath for many generations.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
James notes that Moses has long been read in every synagogue. Sensitivity to Jewish conscience supported these few requests.
Overview
Because the law of Moses was widely known and revered among Jews everywhere, these abstentions would help preserve harmony between Jewish and Gentile believers. The guidance was pastoral, fostering unity in mixed congregations. It shows the council balancing the freedom of grace with loving consideration for fellow believers.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 5
- Acts 13:15After the reading of the law and the prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, speak.”
- Acts 13:27For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they didn’t know him, nor the voices of the prophets which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him.
- 2 Cor 3:14–15But their minds were hardened, for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains, because in Christ it passes away.
- Neh 8:1–12All the people gathered themselves together as one man into the wide place that was in front of the water gate; and they spoke to Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which Yahweh had commanded to Israel.
- Luke 4:16He came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. He entered, as was his custom, into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Acts is the risen Christ continuing his work by the Spirit through the church, as the apostles preach that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.
How Acts 15:21 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.