Acts 15:17
What does Acts 15:17 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 15:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 15:17 means
The prophecy continues: the purpose of rebuilding is that the rest of humanity may seek the Lord, including all the Gentiles who are called by His name. This explicitly affirms that God’s saving aim embraces the nations as His own. Being called by God’s name suggests belonging and ownership—Gentiles become His covenant people through the Messiah. Seeking the Lord implies turning from idols to serve the living God. This matches the Gentile conversions reported by Paul and Barnabas and the Spirit’s gift described by Peter. Thus, Scripture provides the theological warrant for welcoming Gentiles without requiring them to become Jews first.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000That the residue of men may seek after the Lord, And all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called,
KJV
King James Version · 1611That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901That the residue of men may seek after the Lord, And all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So that the rest of men may make search for the Lord, and all the Gentiles on whom my name is named,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862that the residue of men may seek after the Lord, and all the nations, upon whom My name hath been called, saith the Lord, who is doing all these things.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752That the residue of men may seek after the Lord, and all nations upon whom my name is invoked, saith the Lord, who doth these things.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890so that the residue of men may seek out the Lord, and all the nations on whom my name is invoked, saith [the] Lord, who does these things
Context
James’s quotation now makes the inclusion of Gentiles unmistakable. He is building the biblical case that the church should recognize what God is doing. This prepares for his judgment that they must not trouble Gentile believers with the Mosaic yoke. Verse 18 will close the citation by attributing this plan to the Lord who has made it known from ancient times, giving weight and finality to his argument.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Micah 4:1
But in the latter days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of Jehovah’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and peoples shall flow unto it.
- Hosea 2:23
And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them that were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.
- Isaiah 49:6
yea, he saith, It is too light a thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.
- Zechariah 2:11
And many nations shall join themselves to Jehovah in that day, and shall be my people; and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that Jehovah of hosts hath sent me unto thee.
- Jeremiah 14:9
Why shouldest thou be as a man affrighted, as a mighty man that cannot save? Yet thou, O Jehovah, art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name; leave us not.
- Daniel 4:35
and all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Acts 15
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Acts 15.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About the Grace of God
Understanding God's grace helps us grasp His unconditional love and our salvation through faith in Christ.
Topic
Bible Verses About God's Omniscience
God's omniscience means He knows all things in the past, present, and future, including every detail of our lives
Topic
Bible Verses About Doctrinal Reconciliation
Our Heavenly Father is a God of reconciliation, desiring to bring all things back into alignment with His perfect will and purpose.
What the Bible says about…