Acts 16:21
What does Acts 16:21 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 16:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 16:21 means
The accusers claim Paul and Silas advocate customs unlawful for Romans to accept or practice. By framing the gospel as illegal, they tap into Roman pride and fear of subversion. The issue is not liturgy but lordship: allegiance to Jesus challenges ultimate loyalties. The charge misrepresents Christian teaching, but it effectively mobilizes civic zeal. This tactic echoes how the world often mislabels the faith to suppress it. While the gospel teaches believers to honor authorities, it also proclaims Jesus as Lord above all. Such a message can be painted as dangerous when power feels threatened.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and set forth customs which it is not lawful for us to receive, or to observe, being Romans.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and set forth customs which it is not lawful for us to receive, or to observe, being Romans.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Teaching rules of living which it is not right for us to have or to keep, being Romans.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and they proclaim customs that are not lawful for us to receive nor to do, being Romans.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And preach a fashion which it is not lawful for us to receive nor observe, being Romans.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and announce customs which it is not lawful for us to receive nor practise, being Romans.
Context
Verse 21 completes the formal accusations started in verse 20. The stage is now set for the reaction of the multitude and the magistrates. In verse 22, the crowd joins the accusers, and the officials order Paul and Silas to be stripped and beaten. The swift move from accusation to punishment heightens the sense of injustice and prepares for God’s surprising intervention from the prison cell later in the chapter.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 16:12
and from thence to Philippi, which is a city of Macedonia, the first of the district, a Roman colony: and we were in this city tarrying certain days.
- Jeremiah 10:3
For the customs of the peoples are vanity; for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman with the axe.
- Esther 3:8
And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from those of every people; neither keep they the king’s laws: therefore it is not for the king’s profit to suffer them.
- Acts 26:3
especially because thou art expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.
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