Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

ACTS 15:14KJV
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Acts 15:14 (KJV)

What does Acts 15:14 mean?

Acts 15:14 says that Simeon (another name for Peter) explained how God first reached out to non-Jewish people (Gentiles) and chose some of them to belong to Him and represent His name. This verse highlights that God’s plan included gathering people from all nations, not just Israel.

In the setting of Acts 15, James is speaking to a group of church leaders in Jerusalem, discussing whether Gentile believers must follow Jewish customs. James refers to what Peter (called Simeon here) had reported earlier: that God had shown acceptance of Gentiles by giving them the Holy Spirit. This statement supports the idea that Gentiles are fully included in God’s people without needing to become Jewish.

The Greek behind Acts 15:14

  • ἔθνη (ethnē, G1484): This word means "Gentiles" or "nations." It emphasizes that God’s attention and calling extend beyond the Jewish people to all ethnic groups.
  • λαός (laos, G2992): This word means "people" and is often used in the Bible to describe God’s chosen community. Here, it shows that Gentiles are not just outsiders but are now considered part of God’s own people.
  • ἐπισκέπτομαι (episkeptomai, G1980): This word means "to visit" or "to look after." In this context, it carries the sense of God actively reaching out to the Gentiles, not just noticing them but purposefully including them.

Why Acts 15:14 matters

  • Acts 15:14 clarifies that the early church recognized God’s initiative in including Gentiles, which was a major turning point in Christian history.
  • The verse supports the decision that Gentile believers do not need to adopt all Jewish customs, helping resolve a key debate in the early church.
  • By connecting Peter’s experience with God’s larger plan, Acts 15:14 shows that the inclusion of Gentiles was not a new idea but part of God’s intention from the beginning.

Where else these words appear

“declared” Greek G1834 · used in 6 verses

  • Luke 24:35 And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.
  • John 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
  • Acts 15:12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

“Simeon” Greek G4826 · used in 7 verses

  • Luke 2:25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
  • Luke 3:30 Which was the son of Simeon, which was the son of Juda, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Jonan, which was the son of Eliakim,
  • 2 Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:

“visit” Greek G1980 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
  • Luke 1:78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
  • Acts 7:23 And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.

“first” Greek G4412 · used in 61 verses

  • Matthew 5:24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
  • Luke 10:5 And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.
  • Romans 2:9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;