Acts 20:21
What does Acts 20:21 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 20:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 20:21 means
Paul’s message called both Jews and Greeks to repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. This is the heart of the gospel response: turning from sin to God and trusting in Jesus as Lord. The inclusion of Jews and Greeks underscores the gospel’s universal scope and unifying power. Repentance and faith are not competing paths but two sides of one turning—from self and sin to God in Christ. This verse clarifies that Paul’s ministry was Christ-centered, aiming not merely at moral improvement but at saving allegiance to the Lord Jesus who reconciles sinners to God.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Preaching to Jews and to Greeks the need for a turning of the heart to God, and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862testifying fully both to Jews and Greeks, toward God reformation, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Testifying both to Jews and Gentiles penance towards God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890testifying to both Jews and Greeks repentance towardsGod, and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ.
Context
Having described the manner of his ministry (verses 19–20), Paul now states its core message. This sets a theological baseline before he describes his Spirit-driven journey to Jerusalem and the suffering that awaits (verses 22–23). The clarity of the gospel call gives weight to his coming assertion that he has a clear conscience (verses 26–27) and to his urgent charge for the elders to guard the flock from false teachers (verses 28–31).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 18:4
And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded Jews and Greeks.
- Acts 3:19
Repent ye therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that so there may come seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord;
- Acts 8:25
They therefore, when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.
- Galatians 3:22
But the scripture shut up all things under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
- Luke 15:7
I say unto you, that even so there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine righteous persons, who need no repentance.
- John 3:36
He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life; but he that obeyeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.
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