Acts 21:20 – “When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: ‘You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law.’”

Extended Explanation

This verse describes the response of James and the elders in Jerusalem after Paul reported all that God had done among the Gentiles (Acts 21:19). Their first reaction was to praise God. They recognized that Paul’s missionary work was not about him but about God’s power at work in the world. This moment shows that true Christian leaders rejoice when the gospel spreads, no matter who receives it.

However, the second part of the verse introduces a tension. James and the elders pointed out that many thousands of Jews had also come to faith in Jesus, but they were still very zealous for the Law of Moses. These Jewish believers had embraced Jesus as the Messiah but remained committed to observing Jewish customs, traditions, and laws.

This sets up the challenge Paul would face in the coming verses. While he had been teaching that salvation comes through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9), many Jewish Christians were struggling with the idea that Gentiles didn’t have to follow the Law. This situation was a cultural and theological divide—the Jewish believers were caught between their faith in Christ and their deep-rooted traditions.

Historical Context

At this time (around A.D. 57), the Christian movement had grown significantly, and there were thousands of Jewish believers in Jerusalem. The phrase “many thousands” literally translates to “tens of thousands” in Greek, showing that a large number of Jews had accepted Jesus.

However, these Jewish Christians still practiced the Law of Moses, including circumcision, dietary restrictions, and temple worship. This was a complex issue because Christianity had grown out of Judaism, and for many Jews, their cultural identity was deeply tied to the Law.

Meanwhile, Paul had been preaching to Gentiles, who did not have the same background or customs. His message was that salvation comes through faith in Jesus alone, not through keeping the Law. While the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 had already settled the matter that Gentiles did not have to follow Jewish customs, many Jewish Christians still felt strongly about keeping the Law themselves.

Theological Implications

1. The gospel is for both Jews and Gentiles. Paul’s mission showed that God was bringing in the Gentiles, while the Jerusalem church showed that many Jews were also coming to faith. God’s plan included both groups.
2. Cultural differences can create challenges in the Church. Even though all believers in Jerusalem and among the Gentiles had faith in Jesus, they struggled to understand each other’s backgrounds and customs. This teaches us that unity in the Church requires patience and wisdom.
3. Praising God should always come first. Despite the challenges ahead, James and the elders started by praising God for the good work being done. This reminds us that worship should always be our first response to God’s work.

Literary Analysis

Luke, the author of Acts, presents a contrast between two groups:

• The Gentiles, whom Paul had been reaching with the gospel.
• The Jewish Christians, who had accepted Jesus but still held onto the Law.

The phrase “they praised God” is important—it shows that the leaders in Jerusalem recognized God’s hand in Paul’s mission, even if they knew it would cause tension.

The phrase “zealous for the Law” shows that these Jewish Christians were passionate about their traditions. The word “zealous” was often used to describe people who were deeply committed to their beliefs, sometimes to the point of conflict. This foreshadows the tensions Paul would face in Jerusalem.

Biblical Cross-References

• Acts 15:1-29 – The Jerusalem Council decided that Gentiles did not need to follow Jewish laws to be saved.
• Romans 10:2-4 – Paul acknowledges that many Jews were “zealous for God” but did not understand that Christ fulfilled the Law.
• Galatians 3:24-25 – Paul teaches that the Law was meant to lead people to Christ, but now that Christ has come, believers are no longer under it.
• Matthew 5:17 – Jesus said He came to fulfill the Law, not abolish it. The Jewish believers in Jerusalem were still struggling to fully understand this.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

1. Celebrate God’s work, even when it looks different than we expect. The Jerusalem church was focused on Jewish believers, while Paul was reaching Gentiles. Yet, both were part of God’s plan. Today, we should rejoice when God moves, even if it’s in ways we didn’t anticipate.
2. Cultural and personal backgrounds shape how people understand faith. The Jewish believers still valued the Law, while Paul taught freedom in Christ. In the Church today, we should seek unity even when believers come from different perspectives.
3. Worship should be our first response to good news. Before discussing the challenges, the elders in Jerusalem first praised God. We should follow this example by celebrating God’s work before addressing difficulties.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is seen in how He draws people to Himself from different backgrounds. He does not exclude people based on their traditions or past beliefs. Whether Jew or Gentile, God’s invitation to salvation is open to all.

This verse also shows God’s patience with His people. The Jewish Christians were still learning how to balance their traditions with their faith in Jesus. Instead of rejecting them for their struggles, God allowed them time to grow in understanding. God is patient with all of us as we mature in our faith.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

• Jesus came to fulfill the Law (Matthew 5:17). Many Jewish believers were still holding on to the Law, but Jesus had already completed its purpose.
• Jesus reached both Jews and Gentiles (John 10:16). He spoke of “other sheep” who would also be part of His flock, foreshadowing the inclusion of Gentiles.
• Jesus desires unity in His Church (John 17:20-21). Paul’s mission to the Gentiles and the Jerusalem church’s commitment to Jewish believers were both part of God’s bigger plan to unite all believers under Christ.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. How can we learn to celebrate God’s work, even when it happens in ways we don’t expect?
2. What cultural or personal traditions do you hold onto in your faith? How do they shape your relationship with God?
3. How can we promote unity in the Church when people come from different backgrounds and perspectives?
4. Why do you think the Jewish believers in Jerusalem struggled to fully accept that the Law was no longer required?
5. What does this verse teach us about trusting God’s plan, even when we don’t fully understand it?