Devine Scripture

Acts 21:19

What does Acts 21:19 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 21:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 21:19 means

Paul recounts, one by one, what God did among the Gentiles through his ministry. The emphasis is on God’s work, not Paul’s achievements. By detailing conversions, churches planted, and signs of grace, he directs glory upward. This testimony unites the church around the reality that the Lord has opened a great door of faith to the nations. It also reassures the Jerusalem leaders that Paul’s teaching bears holy fruit. Such careful reporting fosters accountability, shared joy, and mutual trust. Paul models how to speak about ministry: specific, God-centered, and aimed at building up leaders and congregations alike.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And when he had saluted them, he rehearsed one by one the things which God had wrought among the Gentiles through his ministry.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And when he had saluted them, he rehearsed one by one the things which God had wrought among the Gentiles through his ministry.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And when he had said how glad he was to see them, he gave them a detailed account of the things which God had done through his work among the Gentiles.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and having saluted them, he was declaring, one by one, each of the things God did among the nations through his ministration,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Whom when he had saluted, he related particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And having saluted them, he related one by one the things whichGod had wrought among the nations by his ministry.

Context

After convening with James and the elders (verse 18), Paul presents a thorough account of his Gentile mission. The leaders’ response in verse 20 will glorify God and shift to a pastoral concern about rumors among Jewish believers. Verses 21–24 outline the nature of those reports and a plan to demonstrate Paul’s respect for the law. The sequence shows that unity is strengthened both by celebrating God’s work and by wisely addressing misunderstandings within the church.

v.18And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.

v.19This passage

v.20And they, when they heard it, glorified God; and they said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of them that have believed; and they are all zealous for the law:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 1:17

    For he was numbered among us, and received his portion in this ministry.

  • 1 Corinthians 3:5

    What then is Apollos? and what is Paul? Ministers through whom ye believed; and each as the Lord gave to him.

  • Colossians 1:29

    whereunto I labor also, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

  • 2 Corinthians 6:1

    And working together with him we entreat also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain

  • Acts 20:24

    But I hold not my life of any account as dear unto myself, so that I may accomplish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

  • Acts 11:4

    But Peter began, and expounded the matter unto them in order, saying,

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