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.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The Jerusalem Jewish believers speak to Paul after he recounts God’s work among the Gentiles. They address him as “brother” immediately following his ministry report and before correcting the false impression that he teaches Jews to abandon Moses.

The words — ἀκούσαντες (akousantes) literally means “having heard,” marking their reception of Paul’s account. ἐδόξαζον (edoxazon) means “were glorifying,” describing their direct response to God’s activity.

The thread — The text traces religious zeal in Romans 10:2, which notes Jews are zealous for God but lack knowledge, and Galatians 1:14, which records Paul’s former pursuit of ancestral traditions. Acts 22:3 further shows Paul’s upbringing in strict conformity to the law.

Why it lands — The passage states that Jewish believers acknowledge both the success of Gentile evangelism and their own continued commitment to the law. It asks the reader to recognize that genuine faith does not erase cultural or covenantal identity, but requires accurate understanding of how God works across both.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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:

Cross-references

Romans 10:2 For I testify about them that they are zealous for God, but not on the basis of knowledge.
Galatians 1:14 I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.
Acts 22:3 “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but raised in this city. I was educated at the feet of Gamaliel in strict conformity to the law of our fathers. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today.
Acts 11:18 When they heard this, they had no further objections, and they glorified God, saying, “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.”
Acts 15:1 Then some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”
Acts 15:5 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.”
Psalms 22:23 You who fear the LORD, praise Him! All descendants of Jacob, honor Him! All offspring of Israel, revere Him!
Psalms 22:27 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD. All the families of the nations will bow down before Him.
Psalms 72:17 May his name endure forever; may his name continue as long as the sun shines. In him may all nations be blessed; may they call him blessed.
Psalms 98:1 A Psalm. Sing to the LORD a new song, for He has done wonders; His right hand and holy arm have gained Him the victory.