For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

ACTS 15:21KJV
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Acts 15:21 (KJV)

What does Acts 15:21 mean?

Acts 15:21 explains that in every city, there are people who teach about Moses, because his writings are read aloud in the synagogues every Sabbath. This means that Jewish teachings and the Law of Moses are widely known and regularly taught wherever there are Jewish communities.

James is speaking to the council in Jerusalem, addressing both Jewish and non-Jewish followers of Jesus. He points out that the Law of Moses (the first five books of the Bible) is already being taught every week in synagogues, so Gentiles will have many chances to hear and learn about these teachings if they choose. This helps explain why the council decided not to require Gentile believers to fully adopt all Jewish laws right away.

Where else these words appear

“old” Greek G744 · used in 12 verses

  • Matthew 5:21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
  • Luke 9:8 And of some, that Elias had appeared; and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again.
  • 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

“read” Greek G314 · used in 30 verses

  • Matthew 12:3 But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;
  • Mark 12:26 And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?
  • Acts 15:31 Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.

“time” Greek G1074 · used in 37 verses

  • Matthew 1:17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.
  • Mark 9:19 He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.
  • Luke 16:8 And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.

“synagogues” Greek G4864 · used in 57 verses

  • Matthew 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
  • Luke 4:16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
  • Acts 13:5 And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.