Acts 14:15
What does Acts 14:15 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 14:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 14:15 means
Paul and Barnabas plead, “Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you.” They deny divinity and affirm shared humanity. Then they announce “good tidings”: turn from “vain things” (idols and empty worship) to “a living God,” the Creator of heaven, earth, sea, and all in them. To a pagan audience unfamiliar with Israel’s Scriptures, they start with creation—natural theology that points to one sovereign Maker. The gospel calls for repentance from idols to the Creator who alone is alive and life-giving. Their message lays the foundation for understanding salvation, which centers on the living God revealed through the apostolic witness.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and bring you good tidings, that ye should turn from these vain things unto a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that in them is:
KJV
King James Version · 1611And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and bring you good tidings, that ye should turn from these vain things unto a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that in them is:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Good people, why are you doing these things? We are men with the same feelings as you, and we give you the good news so that you may be turned away from these foolish things to the living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all things in them:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and saying, `Men, why these things do ye? and we are men like-affected with you, proclaiming good news to you, from these vanities to turn unto the living God, who made the heaven, and the earth, and the sea, and all the things in them;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Who in times past, suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and saying, Men, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, preaching to you to turn from these vanities to the livingGod, who made the heaven, and the earth, and the sea, and all things in them;
Context
Following their dramatic protest (verse 14), this verse records the heart of the apostles’ corrective sermon. They begin at the beginning—creation—to confront a pagan worldview. Verses 16–17 will further explain God’s patience with the nations and His ongoing witness through providence, aiming to restrain sacrifice (verse 18). The emphasis on turning from vanity to the living God counters the crowd’s attempt to honor men as gods. This approach is tailored to the audience and contrasts with synagogue sermons that assume Scripture familiarity. It prepares the ground for faith in the God Paul proclaims throughout the journey.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Timothy 3:15
but if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how men ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
- 1 Kings 16:26
For he walked in all the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and in his sins wherewith he made Israel to sin, to provoke Jehovah, the God of Israel, to anger with their vanities.
- Jeremiah 10:14
Every man is become brutish and is without knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his graven image; for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.
- Acts 26:17
delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom I send thee,
- Isaiah 45:20
Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that carry the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save.
- Acts 7:26
And the day following he appeared unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another?
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Acts 14
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Acts 14.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Elders
Biblical elders are called to lead, teach, and shepherd God's people with humility and wisdom.
Topic
Bible Verses About Fasting
Fasting in the Bible is a spiritual discipline involving abstinence from food for a period, often coupled with prayer and repentance.
Topic
Bible Verses About Baptism
Baptism is a significant act symbolizing new life in Christ, repentance, and identification with his death, burial, and resurrection.
What the Bible says about…