Acts 15:16
What does Acts 15:16 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 15:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 15:16 means
James cites the promise that God will return and rebuild David’s fallen tent, restoring its ruins and setting it up. This points to the restoration of Davidic kingship and worship under the Messiah. In New Testament light, Jesus—the Son of David—has risen and ascended, and His kingdom is being built as people come under His rule. The rebuilding is not a return to old structures but the establishment of Christ’s reign and the worship centered on Him. This restored house becomes the place where the nations can be gathered, fulfilling God’s covenant promises through the Messiah’s saving work.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000After these things I will return, And I will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen; And I will build again the ruins thereof, And I will set it up:
KJV
King James Version · 1611After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901After these things I will return, And I will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen; And I will build again the ruins thereof, And I will set it up:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949After these things I will come back, and will put up the tent of David which has been broken down, building up again its broken parts and making it complete:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862After these things I will turn back, and I will build again the tabernacle of David, that is fallen down, and its ruins I will build again, and will set it upright--
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752After these things I will return and will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down: and the ruins thereof I will rebuild. And I will set it up:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890After these things I will return, and will rebuild the tabernacle of David which is fallen, and will rebuild its ruins, and will set it up,
Context
This is the first line of James’s prophetic quotation, laying the foundation for the inclusion of the Gentiles. It interprets the present mission as the outworking of God’s rebuilding project in Christ. The next lines explain the purpose: that the rest of humanity and the Gentiles called by God’s name may seek the Lord. Verse 18 concludes by stressing that these things are known from of old.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
- Luke 1:31
And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
- Ezekiel 17:22
Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: I will also take of the lofty top of the cedar, and will set it; I will crop off from the topmost of its young twigs a tender one, and I will plant it upon a high and lofty mountain:
- Jeremiah 12:15
And it shall come to pass, after that I have plucked them up, I will return and have compassion on them; and I will bring them again, every man to his heritage, and every man to his land.
- Jeremiah 33:24
Considerest thou not what this people have spoken, saying, The two families which Jehovah did choose, he hath cast them off? thus do they despise my people, that they should be no more a nation before them.
- 1 Kings 12:16
And when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents.
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