Acts 15:24
What does Acts 15:24 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 15:24 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 15:24 means
The letter recognizes that some men “from us” had gone out and troubled Gentile believers with their words, unsettling their souls. Importantly, the leaders clarify that they had given these men no command. This disavowal protects the churches from assuming Jerusalem endorsed the legalist teaching. It also shows pastoral sensitivity: the leaders understand the deep anxiety such teaching causes. By naming the error and denying its authorization, the letter restores confidence and prepares the recipients to receive the true, united judgment of the council.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Forasmuch as we have heard that certain who went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls; to whom we gave no commandment;
KJV
King James Version · 1611Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Forasmuch as we have heard that certain who went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls; to whom we gave no commandment;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Because we have knowledge that some who went from us have been troubling you with their words, putting your souls in doubt; to whom we gave no such order;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862seeing we have heard that certain having gone forth from us did trouble you with words, subverting your souls, saying to be circumcised and to keep the law, to whom we did give no charge,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Forasmuch as we have heard that some going out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, to whom we gave no commandment:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Inasmuch as we have heard that some who went out from amongst us have troubled you by words, upsetting your souls, [saying that ye must be circumcised and keep the law]; to whom we gave no commandment;
Context
This verse diagnoses the problem that prompted the council’s action. By acknowledging harm done and clarifying responsibility, the letter builds trust. The next verses will affirm the unity of the apostles and elders, commend Paul and Barnabas, and introduce the envoys and the Spirit-sanctioned decision to free Gentiles from the law’s yoke with only a few necessary abstentions.
v.23and they wrote thus by them, The apostles and the elders, brethren, unto the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greeting:
v.24This passage
v.25it seemed good unto us, having come to one accord, to choose out men and send them unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Galatians 5:4
Ye are severed from Christ, ye who would be justified by the law; ye are fallen away from grace.
- Galatians 2:3
But not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:
- Titus 1:10
For there are many unruly men, vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision,
- Jeremiah 23:16
Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they teach you vanity; they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of Jehovah.
- Galatians 1:7
which is not another gospel: only there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
- Galatians 5:12
I would that they that unsettle you would even go beyond circumcision.
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