Acts 15:14
New International Version
Simon has described to us how God first intervened to choose a people for his name from the Gentiles.

New Living Translation
Peter has told you about the time God first visited the Gentiles to take from them a people for himself.

English Standard Version
Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name.

Berean Standard Bible
Simon has told us how God first visited the Gentiles to take from them a people to be His own.

Berean Literal Bible
Simeon has related how God first visited to take out of the Gentiles a people for His name.

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

New King James Version
Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name.

New American Standard Bible
Simeon has described how God first concerned Himself about taking a people for His name from among the Gentiles.

NASB 1995
“Simeon has related how God first concerned Himself about taking from among the Gentiles a people for His name.

NASB 1977
“Simeon has related how God first concerned Himself about taking from among the Gentiles a people for His name.

Legacy Standard Bible
Simeon has related how God first concerned Himself about taking from among the Gentiles a people for His name.

Amplified Bible
Simeon (Simon Peter) has described how God first concerned Himself about taking from among the Gentiles a people for His name [to honor Him and be identified with Him].

Christian Standard Bible
Simeon has reported how God first intervened to take from the Gentiles a people for his name.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Simeon has reported how God first intervened to take from the Gentiles a people for His name.

American Standard Version
Symeon hath rehearsed how first God visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

Contemporary English Version
Simon Peter has told how God first came to the Gentiles and made some of them his own people.

English Revised Version
Symeon hath rehearsed how first God did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Simon has explained how God first showed his concern by taking from non-Jewish people those who would honor his name.

Good News Translation
Simon has just explained how God first showed his care for the Gentiles by taking from among them a people to belong to him.

International Standard Version
Simeon has explained how God first showed his concern for the gentiles by taking from among them a people for his name.

Majority Standard Bible
Simon has told us how God first visited the Gentiles to take from them a people to be His own.

NET Bible
Simeon has explained how God first concerned himself to select from among the Gentiles a people for his name.

New Heart English Bible
Simeon has reported how God first visited the nations, to take out of them a people for his name.

Webster's Bible Translation
Simeon hath declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take from among them a people for his name.

Weymouth New Testament
Symeon has related how God first looked graciously on the Gentiles to take from among them a People to be called by His name.

World English Bible
Simeon has reported how God first visited the nations to take out of them a people for his name.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Simeon expounded how at first God looked on [us] to take a people out of [the] nations for His Name,

Berean Literal Bible
Simeon has related how God first visited to take out of the Gentiles a people for His name.

Young's Literal Translation
Simeon did declare how at first God did look after to take out of the nations a people for His name,

Smith's Literal Translation
Simeon related how God first reviewed to take from the nations a people for his name.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Simon hath related how God first visited to take of the Gentiles a people to his name.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Simon has explained in what manner God first visited, so as to take from the Gentiles a people to his name.

New American Bible
Symeon has described how God first concerned himself with acquiring from among the Gentiles a people for his name.

New Revised Standard Version
Simeon has related how God first looked favorably on the Gentiles, to take from among them a people for his name.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Simon Peter has told you how God from the beginning chose a people from the Gentiles for his name.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“Shimeon has related to you how God began to choose from the Gentiles a people for his name.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Simeon has declared how God, at the first, did visit the Gentiles, in order to take out from among them a people for his name.

Godbey New Testament
Symeon hath related how God in the first place interposed to take a people from the Gentiles, in His name.

Haweis New Testament
Simon hath fully related, how at first God graciously looked upon the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name.

Mace New Testament
Simon has related how God began to visit the Gentiles, to chuse from among them a people consecrated to his name.

Weymouth New Testament
Symeon has related how God first looked graciously on the Gentiles to take from among them a People to be called by His name.

Worrell New Testament
Simeon declared how God first visited the gentiles, to take out of them a people for His name.

Worsley New Testament
#NAME?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Council at Jerusalem
13When they had finished speaking, James declared, “Brothers, listen to me! 14Simon has told us how God first visited the Gentiles to take from them a people to be His own. 15The words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written:…

Cross References
Amos 9:11-12
“In that day I will restore the fallen tent of David. I will repair its gaps, restore its ruins, and rebuild it as in the days of old, / that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations that bear My name,” declares the LORD, who will do this.

Isaiah 45:21
Speak up and present your case—yes, let them take counsel together. Who foretold this long ago? Who announced it from ancient times? Was it not I, the LORD? There is no other God but Me, a righteous God and Savior; there is none but Me.

Isaiah 43:5-7
Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east and gather you from the west. / I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back!’ Bring My sons from afar, and My daughters from the ends of the earth— / everyone called by My name and created for My glory, whom I have indeed formed and made.”

Isaiah 49:6
He says: “It is not enough for You to be My Servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the protected ones of Israel. I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.”

Romans 9:24-26
including us, whom He has called not only from the Jews, but also from the Gentiles? / As He says in Hosea: “I will call them ‘My People’ who are not My people, and I will call her ‘My Beloved’ who is not My beloved,” / and, “It will happen that in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’”

Romans 15:8-12
For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of God’s truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs, / so that the Gentiles may glorify God for His mercy. As it is written: “Therefore I will praise You among the Gentiles; I will sing hymns to Your name.” / Again, it says: “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people.” ...

Ephesians 3:6
This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus.

James 1:1
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes of the Dispersion: Greetings.

1 Peter 2:9-10
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. / Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

John 10:16
I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them in as well, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock and one shepherd.

Matthew 28:19
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Luke 2:32
a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.”

Galatians 3:14
He redeemed us in order that the blessing promised to Abraham would come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

Galatians 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Revelation 5:9
And they sang a new song: “Worthy are You to take the scroll and open its seals, because You were slain, and by Your blood You purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.


Treasury of Scripture

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

Simeon.

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:

declared.

Acts 15:7-9
And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe…

Luke 1:68,78
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, …

Luke 2:31,32
Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; …

to take.

Isaiah 43:21
This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise.

Isaiah 55:11-13
So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it…

Romans 1:5
By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

Jump to Previous
Account Concern Concerned Declare Declared Described First Gentiles Graciously Nations Related Reported Showed Simeon Simon Symeon Visit Visited
Jump to Next
Account Concern Concerned Declare Declared Described First Gentiles Graciously Nations Related Reported Showed Simeon Simon Symeon Visit Visited
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.














Simon
The name "Simon" refers to Simon Peter, one of Jesus' closest disciples and a prominent leader in the early church. The Greek name "Σίμων" (Simon) is derived from the Hebrew "שִׁמְעוֹן" (Shimon), meaning "he has heard." This is significant as Peter was a key figure in hearing and understanding God's revelation to include the Gentiles in His plan of salvation. Peter's role in the early church was pivotal, as he was the first to preach to the Gentiles, as recorded in Acts 10 with Cornelius, a Roman centurion.

has told us
This phrase indicates that Peter had previously shared this revelation with the church. The Greek word "ἐξηγήσατο" (exēgēsato) means "to explain" or "to declare." It underscores the importance of testimony and proclamation in the early church. Peter's explanation was not just a personal opinion but a divinely inspired message that needed to be communicated to the broader church community.

how God first visited
The phrase "how God first visited" highlights the divine initiative in the mission to the Gentiles. The Greek word "ἐπεσκέψατο" (epeskepsato) means "to visit" or "to look upon." This visitation is reminiscent of God's interventions throughout biblical history, where He steps into human affairs to bring about His purposes. It emphasizes that the inclusion of the Gentiles was not a human idea but a divine action, orchestrated by God Himself.

the Gentiles
The term "Gentiles" refers to all non-Jewish people. In Greek, "τὰ ἔθνη" (ta ethnē) is used, which can also be translated as "nations." This is significant because it marks a major shift in the early church's understanding of God's plan. Historically, the Jews were seen as God's chosen people, but this revelation shows that God's love and salvation extend to all nations, fulfilling the promise to Abraham that all nations would be blessed through his seed (Genesis 12:3).

to take from them a people
The phrase "to take from them a people" indicates God's sovereign choice in selecting individuals from among the Gentiles to be part of His covenant community. The Greek word "λαβεῖν" (labein) means "to take" or "to receive," suggesting an intentional and purposeful action by God. This echoes the Old Testament concept of God choosing Israel as His people, now expanded to include Gentiles, showing the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.

to be His own
This phrase signifies belonging and identity. The Greek "τῷ ὀνόματι αὐτοῦ" (tō onomati autou) can be translated as "for His name." It implies that the Gentiles who come to faith are not just added to the church but are called to bear God's name, reflecting His character and purposes. This is a profound statement of inclusion and identity, as it affirms that all believers, regardless of ethnic background, are part of God's family and share in the mission to glorify His name.

(14) Simeon hath declared . . .--The Greek form is Symeon, as in 2Peter 1:1. The use of the old Hebrew form of the Apostle's name, instead of the more familiar Simon, was natural in the Galilean speaker, and is presumptive evidence in favour of our having a report from notes made at the time.

Did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people.--The two words present an emphatic contrast. The Jews claimed for themselves the exclusive right to the latter term. They alone were the "people," the rest of mankind were the "nations"--the "heathen." St. James proclaims that out of those heathen nations a people had been taken who were as truly God's people as Israel had ever been. He, too, recognises the change as fully as St. Paul does, when in Romans 9:26 he quotes the memorable prophecy of Hosea 1:10. St. James as well as St. Peter had, it is clear, profited by the private teaching referred to in Galatians 2:2.

Verse 14. - Symeon for Simeon, A.V.; rehearsed for declared, A.V.; first God for God at the first, A.V. Symeon. This is the only place (unless Symeon is the right reading in 2 Peter 1:1) in which Simon Peter's name is given in this Hebrew form, which is most proper in the month of James speaking to Palestine Jews. Singularly enough, Chrysostom was misled by it, and thought the prophecy of Simeon in Luke 1:31 was meant, How first; corresponding to the" good while ago" of ver. 7. Did visit, etc. The construction ἐπεσκέψατο λαβεῖν is very unusual, and indeed stands alone. The verb always has an accusative case after it (Acts 6:3; Acts 7:23; Acts 15:36), unless Luke 1:68 is an exception, which, however, it hardly is. There are two ways of construing the phrase. One is to consider it as elliptical, and to supply, as the A.V. and R.V. do, τὰ ἐθνή. So Alford, who compares the construction in Luke 1:25, where ἐπ ἐμέ must be supplied. But this is a harsh construction. The other and better way is to take ἐπεσκεψατο, not in the sense of" visiting," but of" looking out," or "endeavoring to find something." The sense of the infinitive after the verb is nearly equivalent to" look out for and took," literally, looked out how he might take. With a slight modification of meaning, Irenaeus (in 'Speaker's Commentary') renders it" Excogitavit accipere," "planned" or "contrived to take." A people for his Name; 1.e. to be called by his Name. Λαός was the peculiar designation of "the people" of God, answering to the Hebrew עַם (comp. 1 Peter 2:10, Οἱ ποτὲ οὐ λαὸς νῦν δὲ λαὸς Θεοῦ).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Simon
Συμεὼν (Symeōn)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4826: Simeon or Simon. From the same as Simon; Symeon, the name of five Israelites.

has told us
ἐξηγήσατο (exēgēsato)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1834: To lead, show the way; met: I unfold, narrate, declare. From ek and hegeomai; to consider out, i.e. Rehearse, unfold.

how
καθὼς (kathōs)
Adverb
Strong's 2531: According to the manner in which, in the degree that, just as, as. From kata and hos; just as, that.

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

first
πρῶτον (prōton)
Adverb - Superlative
Strong's 4412: First, in the first place, before, formerly. Neuter of protos as adverb; firstly.

visited [the Gentiles]
ἐπεσκέψατο (epeskepsato)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1980: To look upon, visit, look out, select.

to take
λαβεῖν (labein)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 2983: (a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of.

from
ἐξ (ex)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

[them]
ἐθνῶν (ethnōn)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 1484: Probably from etho; a race, i.e. A tribe; specially, a foreign one.

a people
λαὸν (laon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2992: Apparently a primary word; a people.

[to be]
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

His
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

[own].
ὀνόματι (onomati)
Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3686: Name, character, fame, reputation. From a presumed derivative of the base of ginosko; a 'name'.


Links
Acts 15:14 NIV
Acts 15:14 NLT
Acts 15:14 ESV
Acts 15:14 NASB
Acts 15:14 KJV

Acts 15:14 BibleApps.com
Acts 15:14 Biblia Paralela
Acts 15:14 Chinese Bible
Acts 15:14 French Bible
Acts 15:14 Catholic Bible

NT Apostles: Acts 15:14 Simeon has reported how God first visited (Acts of the Apostles Ac)
Acts 15:13
Top of Page
Top of Page