Acts 21:20
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:
Original Language Analysis
τοῦ
which
G3588
τοῦ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐδόξαζον
it they glorified
G1392
ἐδόξαζον
it they glorified
Strong's:
G1392
Word #:
4 of 23
to render (or esteem) glorious (in a wide application)
τοῦ
which
G3588
τοῦ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Κύριον·
the Lord
G2962
Κύριον·
the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
6 of 23
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
αὐτῷ
unto him
G846
αὐτῷ
unto him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
9 of 23
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Θεωρεῖς
Thou seest
G2334
Θεωρεῖς
Thou seest
Strong's:
G2334
Word #:
10 of 23
to be a spectator of, i.e., discern, (literally, figuratively (experience) or intensively (acknowledge))
ἀδελφέ
brother
G80
ἀδελφέ
brother
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
11 of 23
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
πόσαι
how many
G4214
πόσαι
how many
Strong's:
G4214
Word #:
12 of 23
interrogative pronoun (of amount) how much (large, long or (plural) many)
μυριάδες
thousands
G3461
μυριάδες
thousands
Strong's:
G3461
Word #:
13 of 23
a ten-thousand; by extension, a "myriad" or indefinite number
τοῦ
which
G3588
τοῦ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πεπιστευκότων
believe
G4100
πεπιστευκότων
believe
Strong's:
G4100
Word #:
17 of 23
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
18 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοῦ
which
G3588
τοῦ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Galatians 1:14And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.Acts 22:3I 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.Romans 10:2For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.Acts 15:1And 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.Acts 11:18When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.Acts 15:5But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
Historical Context
This large number of Jewish believers in Jerusalem (possibly 20,000-50,000) shows Christianity's early growth within Judaism. Their continued law-observance was culturally appropriate for Jews, though not required for salvation (Acts 15).
Questions for Reflection
- How do you balance respect for cultural-religious traditions with the freedom of the gospel?
- What does this teach about allowing different expressions of faith within the one body of Christ?
Analysis & Commentary
The Jerusalem elders' report that 'many thousands' (Greek 'myriades,' literally 'myriads') of Jews believed demonstrated the gospel's powerful impact even in Judaism's heartland. However, these believers remained 'zealous of the law,' creating tension with Paul's law-free Gentile mission. This verse captures the transitional period as God's redemptive program moved from Israel-centered to church-centered.