Acts 15:10
What does Acts 15:10 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 15:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 15:10 means
Peter asks why they would test God by placing on Gentile disciples a yoke that neither their ancestors nor they could bear. The law, holy as it is, exposed sin and pointed to the need for a Savior; it was never a ladder by which sinners could climb to life. To make it a condition for salvation is to resist God’s revealed way. Imposing that burden on Gentiles would deny the freedom Christ brings and repeat Israel’s own failure under the law. Peter reframes the legalist demand as unbelief toward God’s grace and as a pastoral cruelty that binds consciences where Christ grants liberty.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Now therefore why make ye trial of God, that ye should put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
KJV
King James Version · 1611Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Now therefore why make ye trial of God, that ye should put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Why then are you testing God, by putting on the neck of the disciples a yoke so hard that not even our fathers or we were strong enough for it?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862now, therefore, why do ye tempt God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Now therefore, why tempt you God to put a yoke upon the necks of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Now therefore why tempt yeGod, by putting a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?
Context
Building from the Spirit’s testimony and the cleansing by faith, Peter now issues a sharp theological and pastoral challenge. The rhetorical question lays bare the folly of reimposing the law as saving obligation. This paves the way for the positive confession in the next verse, which summarizes the apostolic gospel and sets the tone for the council’s decision and the letter that will follow.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Galatians 4:9
but now that ye have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how turn ye back again to the weak and beggarly rudiments, whereunto ye desire to be in bondage over again?
- Exodus 17:2
Wherefore the people strove with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why strive ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt Jehovah?
- Matthew 11:28
Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
- Isaiah 7:12
But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt Jehovah.
- Matthew 4:7
Jesus said unto him, Again it is written, Thou shalt not make trial of the Lord thy God.
- Galatians 5:1
For freedom did Christ set us free: stand fast therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage.
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