Acts 15:10
New International Version
Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear?

New Living Translation
So why are you now challenging God by burdening the Gentile believers with a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors were able to bear?

English Standard Version
Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?

Berean Standard Bible
Now then, why do you test God by placing on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear?

Berean Literal Bible
Now therefore, why are you testing God, to put upon the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?

King James Bible
Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

New King James Version
Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

New American Standard Bible
Since this is the case, why are you putting God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our forefathers nor we have been able to bear?

NASB 1995
“Now therefore why do you put God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?

NASB 1977
“Now therefore why do you put God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?

Legacy Standard Bible
Now therefore why do you put God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?

Amplified Bible
Now then, why are you testing God by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we have been able to endure?

Christian Standard Bible
Now then, why are you testing God by putting a yoke on the disciples’ necks that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Now then, why are you testing God by putting a yoke on the disciples’ necks that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear?

American Standard Version
Now therefore why make ye trial of God, that ye should put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

Contemporary English Version
Now why are you trying to make God angry by placing a heavy burden on these followers? This burden was too heavy for us or our ancestors.

English Revised Version
Now therefore why tempt ye God, that ye should put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So why are you testing God? You're putting a burden on the disciples, a burden neither our ancestors nor we can carry.

Good News Translation
So then, why do you now want to put God to the test by laying a load on the backs of the believers which neither our ancestors nor we ourselves were able to carry?

International Standard Version
So why do you test God by putting on the disciples' neck a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we could carry?

Majority Standard Bible
Now then, why do you test God by placing on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear?

NET Bible
So now why are you putting God to the test by placing on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear?

New Heart English Bible
Now therefore why do you tempt God, that you should put a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

Webster's Bible Translation
Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

Weymouth New Testament
Now, therefore, why try an experiment upon God, by laying on the necks of these disciples a yoke which neither our forefathers nor we have been able to bear?

World English Bible
Now therefore why do you tempt God, that you should put a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
now, therefore, why do you tempt God, to put a yoke on the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

Berean Literal Bible
Now therefore, why are you testing God, to put upon the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?

Young's Literal Translation
now, therefore, why do ye tempt God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

Smith's Literal Translation
Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Now therefore, why tempt you God to put a yoke upon the necks of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now therefore, why do you tempt God to impose a yoke upon the necks of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?

New American Bible
Why, then, are you now putting God to the test by placing on the shoulders of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear?

New Revised Standard Version
Now therefore why are you putting God to the test by placing on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Now therefore why do you tempt God by putting a yoke upon the necks of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“And now, why are you tempting God, so as to put a yoke on the necks of the disciples, which not even our fathers nor we were able to bear?”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Now, therefore, why do you put God to the proof, by placing a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers, nor we ourselves, were able to bear?

Godbey New Testament
Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke on the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

Haweis New Testament
Why then now tempt ye God, by imposing a yoke on the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

Mace New Testament
why therefore do you tempt God to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither we nor our forefathers were able to bear?

Weymouth New Testament
Now, therefore, why try an experiment upon God, by laying on the necks of these disciples a yoke which neither our forefathers nor we have been able to bear?

Worrell New Testament
Now, therefore, why do ye tempt God, that ye should put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were strong enough to bear?

Worsley New Testament
Now therefore why do ye tempt God, in imposing a yoke on the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Council at Jerusalem
9He made no distinction between us and them, for He cleansed their hearts by faith. 10Now then, why do you test God by placing on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? 11On the contrary, we believe it is through the grace of the Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”…

Cross References
Galatians 5:1
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.

Matthew 23:4
They tie up heavy, burdensome loads and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.

Galatians 2:4-5
This issue arose because some false brothers had come in under false pretenses to spy on our freedom in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave us. / We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.

Romans 3:20
Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin.

Galatians 3:10
All who rely on works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”

Romans 7:6
But now, having died to what bound us, we have been released from the law, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.

Colossians 2:14
having canceled the debt ascribed to us in the decrees that stood against us. He took it away, nailing it to the cross!

Galatians 5:3
Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law.

Romans 8:3
For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh,

Hebrews 9:9-10
It is an illustration for the present time, because the gifts and sacrifices being offered were unable to cleanse the conscience of the worshiper. / They consist only in food and drink and special washings—external regulations imposed until the time of reform.

Galatians 4:9
But now that you know God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you are turning back to those weak and worthless principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?

Romans 10:4
For Christ is the end of the law, to bring righteousness to everyone who believes.

Galatians 3:24-25
So the law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. / Now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.

2 Corinthians 3:7-9
Now if the ministry of death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at the face of Moses because of its fleeting glory, / will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? / For if the ministry of condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry of righteousness!

Jeremiah 31:31-34
Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. / It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant they broke, though I was a husband to them,” declares the LORD. / “But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people. ...


Treasury of Scripture

Now therefore why tempt you God, to put a yoke on the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

Why.

Exodus 17:2
Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the LORD?

Isaiah 7:12
But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD.

Matthew 4:7
Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

put.

Matthew 11:28-30
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest…

Matthew 23:4
For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

Galatians 5:1
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

which.

Galatians 4:1-5,9
Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; …

Hebrews 9:9
Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;

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Able Bear Disciples Enough Experiment Fathers Forefathers Hard Laying Neck Necks Placing Putting Strong Tempt Test Testing Trial Try Yoke
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Acts 15
1. Great dissensions arise regarding circumcision.
5. The apostles consult about it,
22. and send their determination by letters to the churches.
36. Paul and Barnabas, thinking to visit the brothers together,
39. disagree, and travel different ways.














Now then
This phrase serves as a transition, indicating a shift in the argument or discussion. In the context of Acts 15, the early church is addressing the issue of whether Gentile converts should be required to follow Jewish law. The phrase suggests urgency and importance, as Peter is about to make a significant point regarding the unnecessary burden of the law.

why do you test God
The Greek word for "test" here is "πειράζω" (peirazō), which can mean to try, tempt, or test. In this context, it implies challenging or questioning God's will. Peter is cautioning against imposing human traditions that could be seen as questioning God's grace and the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice. Historically, testing God often led to negative consequences, as seen in the wilderness wanderings of Israel.

by placing on the necks of the disciples
The imagery of placing something on the neck suggests a burden or weight. In ancient times, a yoke was a wooden beam used between a pair of oxen to enable them to pull together on a load. Here, it symbolizes the heavy burden of the Mosaic Law. The "disciples" refer to the new Gentile believers, who are being unfairly burdened by requirements that were not essential for salvation.

a yoke
The "yoke" is a metaphor for the law of Moses, which includes numerous commandments and regulations. In Jewish tradition, the law was seen as a guide to righteous living, but it was also recognized as difficult to fully uphold. Jesus Himself spoke of His yoke being easy and His burden light (Matthew 11:30), contrasting the freedom found in Him with the heavy demands of the law.

that neither we nor our fathers
This phrase acknowledges the historical reality that even the Jewish ancestors, including the patriarchs and prophets, were unable to fully keep the law. It is a humbling admission that underscores the need for grace. The "fathers" refers to the Jewish forebears who received the law but struggled with its demands.

have been able to bear
The Greek word for "bear" is "βαστάζω" (bastazō), meaning to carry or endure. This highlights the impossibility of achieving righteousness through the law alone. The law was intended to reveal sin and point to the need for a Savior. Peter's argument is that if the Jewish people themselves could not bear the yoke of the law, it is unreasonable to impose it on Gentile believers.

(10) Why tempt ye God.--To tempt God was to make the experiment whether His will, manifested in the acceptance of the Gentiles, or man's will, resenting and resisting it, was the stronger of the two. Nothing but defeat and condemnation could be the issue of such a trial.

To put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples.--No words of St. Paul's, in relation to the Law, could be stronger or clearer than these. They reproduced our Lord's own language as to the "heavy burdens" of the Pharisaic traditions (Matthew 23:4) and His own "easy yoke" (Matthew 11:30). They were echoed by St. Paul when he warned the Galatians not to be entangled again in the yoke of bondage (Galatians 5:1). The words that follow, on the one hand, speak out the experience of the Apostle himself in terms that are hardly less striking than those of St. Paul in Romans 7:7-8, though they deal with the Law in its positive rather than its moral aspects, and contain an implied appeal to the experience of his hearers. Was it worth while to "tempt God" by resisting His teaching in history in order to bring the Gentiles down to the level from which they themselves, Jews as they were, were thankful to have risen?

Verse 10. - That ye should put for to put, A.V. The Greek words cannot be construed as the A.V. takes them. It is not a Greek construction to say πειράζειν τινα ποιεῖν κακόν, "to tempt any one to do evil." The infinitive ἐπιθεῖναι must be taken gerundially, "by placing," or "putting," and the sense is - Why do you try God's patience by your provocation in putting an unbearable yoke upon the necks of those who believe? Or, "as if he had not power to save by faith" (Chrysostom).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Now
Νῦν (Nyn)
Adverb
Strong's 3568: A primary particle of present time; 'now'; also as noun or adjective present or immediate.

then,
οὖν (oun)
Conjunction
Strong's 3767: Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.

why
τί (ti)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

do you test
πειράζετε (peirazete)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 3985: To try, tempt, test. From peira; to test, i.e. Endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline.

God
Θεόν (Theon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

by placing
ἐπιθεῖναι (epitheinai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 2007: To put, place upon, lay on; I add, give in addition. From epi and tithemi; to impose.

on
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

necks
τράχηλον (trachēlon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5137: The neck. Probably from trecho; the throat, i.e. life.

of the
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

disciples
μαθητῶν (mathētōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3101: A learner, disciple, pupil. From manthano; a learner, i.e. Pupil.

a yoke
ζυγὸν (zygon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2218: From the root of zeugnumi; a coupling, i.e. servitude; also the beam of the balance.

that
ὃν (hon)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

neither
οὔτε (oute)
Conjunction
Strong's 3777: And not, neither, nor. From ou and te; not too, i.e. Neither or nor; by analogy, not even.

we
ἡμεῖς (hēmeis)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

nor
οὔτε (oute)
Conjunction
Strong's 3777: And not, neither, nor. From ou and te; not too, i.e. Neither or nor; by analogy, not even.

our
ἡμῶν (hēmōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

fathers
πατέρες (pateres)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3962: Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'.

have been able
ἰσχύσαμεν (ischysamen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 2480: To have strength, be strong, be in full health and vigor, be able; meton: I prevail. From ischus; to have force.

to bear?
βαστάσαι (bastasai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 941: Perhaps remotely derived from the base of basis; to lift, literally or figuratively.


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Acts 15:9
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