King James Version

What Does Acts 14:15 Mean?

Acts 14:15 in the King James Version says “And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should ... — study this verse from Acts chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein :

Acts 14:15 · KJV


Context

13

Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.

14

Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,

15

And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein :

16

Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.

17

Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Paul's emphatic rejection of worship ('We also are men of like passions with you') establishes the unbridgeable distinction between human servants and divine Lord. The call to 'turn from these vanities unto the living God' presents the gospel as radical monotheism. The creational theology ('which made heaven, and earth, and the sea') provides natural revelation foundation for evangelism.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

At Lystra (AD 49), locals identified Paul and Barnabas as Zeus and Hermes after healing the lame man. The missionaries' torn clothes and urgent protest prevented idolatrous sacrifice, though barely (Acts 14:18). This incident highlights the challenge of contextualizing the gospel in pagan polytheistic cultures.

Reflection Questions

  1. How should Christian leaders handle misplaced honor or celebrity status today?
  2. What role does creation theology play in evangelizing those without biblical background?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 39 words
καὶ1 of 39

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

λέγοντες2 of 39

saying

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

Ἄνδρες3 of 39

Sirs

G435

a man (properly as an individual male)

τί4 of 39

why

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

ταῦτα5 of 39

these

G5023

these things

ἐποίησεν6 of 39

do ye

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

καὶ7 of 39

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἡμεῖς8 of 39

We

G2249

we (only used when emphatic)

ὁμοιοπαθεῖς9 of 39

of like passions

G3663

similarly affected

ἐσμεν10 of 39

are

G2070

we are

ὑμῖν11 of 39

with you

G5213

to (with or by) you

ἄνθρωποι12 of 39

men

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

εὐαγγελιζόμενοι13 of 39

and preach

G2097

to announce good news ("evangelize") especially the gospel

ὑμᾶς14 of 39

unto you

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

ἀπὸ15 of 39

from

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

τούτων16 of 39

these things

G5130

of (from or concerning) these (persons or things)

τῶν17 of 39
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ματαίων18 of 39

vanities

G3152

empty, i.e., (literally) profitless, or (specially), an idol

ἐπιστρέφειν19 of 39

that ye should turn

G1994

to revert (literally, figuratively or morally)

ἐπὶ20 of 39

unto

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τὸν21 of 39
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεὸν22 of 39

God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

τὸν23 of 39
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ζῶντα24 of 39

the living

G2198

to live (literally or figuratively)

ὃς25 of 39

which

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἐποίησεν26 of 39

do ye

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

τὸν27 of 39
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

οὐρανὸν28 of 39

heaven

G3772

the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)

καὶ29 of 39

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τὴν30 of 39
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

γῆν31 of 39

earth

G1093

soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)

καὶ32 of 39

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τὴν33 of 39
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θάλασσαν34 of 39

the sea

G2281

the sea (genitive case or specially)

καὶ35 of 39

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

πάντα36 of 39

all things

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

τὰ37 of 39
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐν38 of 39

that are therein

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

αὐτοῖς·39 of 39
G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 14:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 14:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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