Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Acts 21:25

25. μηδὲν τοιοῦτον τηρεῖν αὐτούς, εἰ μὴ omitted with אAB. Not represented in Vulg.

25. περὶ δὲ τῶν πεπιστευκότων ἐθνῶν, but as touching the Gentiles which believe. The elders, while urging on Paul the course they have described in consideration of Jewish prejudices, are yet careful to distinguish from this the liberty of the Gentiles, and to confirm that liberty. They make it plain to the Apostle that they are of the same mind as when the council was held (Acts 15). They refer now to the decisions then arrived at.

ἡμεῖς ἐπεστείλαμεν, we wrote. This is said in reference to the time when the decrees were first published (Acts 15:23). ἐπιστέλλω is used there (Acts 15:20) just as here. The proceedings of the synod are referred to in their technical language.

κρίναντες, giving judgment. In this word also there is a reference to the language of Acts 15:19 where James says ἐλὼ καίνω. And although James is not specially mentioned here as the speaker, there must have been one who acted as the mouthpiece of the presbytery, and none was more likely to do so than he.

φυλάσσεσθαι αὐτοὺς κ.τ.λ., that they should keep themselves from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled and from fornication. On these prohibitions and the reasons for them see notes on Acts 15:20.

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Acts 21:25

Old Testament

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