King James Version

What Does Acts 15:17 Mean?

Acts 15:17 in the King James Version says “That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called , saith the Lord, w...” — study this verse from Acts chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called , saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.”

Acts 15:17 · KJV

Context

15

And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,

16

After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:

17

That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called , saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.

18

Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

19

Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
James quotes Amos 9:11-12 to demonstrate that Gentile inclusion was prophesied in Scripture. The phrase ὅπως ἂν ἐκζητήσωσιν (hopōs an ekzētēsōsin, 'so that they might seek') expresses divine purpose—God's plan always included the nations. The term οἱ κατάλοιποι τῶν ἀνθρώπων (hoi kataloipoi tōn anthrōpōn, 'the remnant of mankind') echoes prophetic language about a preserved, faithful group. The phrase πάντα τὰ ἔθνη (panta ta ethnē, 'all the Gentiles') is emphatic—not some nations, but ALL nations.

The clause ἐφ' οὓς ἐπικέκληται τὸ ὄνομά μου (eph' hous epikeklētai to onoma mou, 'upon whom my name is called') indicates covenant ownership—these Gentiles bear God's name, making them His people. This was revolutionary for Jewish believers who viewed Gentiles as unclean outsiders. The authority statement λέγει Κύριος ὁ ποιῶν ταῦτα (legei Kyrios ho poiōn tauta, 'says the Lord who does these things') emphasizes God as the active agent in this inclusion. The perfect tense of ἐπικέκληται (epikeklētai) indicates a completed action with ongoing results—God's name has been called upon the Gentiles and remains upon them, establishing permanent relationship and identity.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Jerusalem Council (around 49-50 AD) addressed the explosive question of whether Gentile converts must observe Jewish law, particularly circumcision. This was the first major theological crisis in church history. James, the half-brother of Jesus and leader of the Jerusalem church, presided over the council. His quotation from Amos (written around 760 BC) was strategic—he used the Hebrew prophets, authoritative to his Jewish Christian audience, to prove that Gentile inclusion was God's ancient plan, not a new innovation. The Septuagint (Greek translation) James quotes differs slightly from the Hebrew text, but both versions support his argument. This decision liberated the gospel from cultural boundaries and enabled Christianity to become a universal faith rather than a Jewish sect.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse demonstrate that God's plan for the Gentiles was prophesied long before the church age?
  2. What does it mean for God's name to be called upon the Gentiles, and what are the implications?
  3. How did James's use of Scripture resolve the theological crisis at the Jerusalem Council?
  4. In what ways does this verse challenge cultural and ethnic barriers in modern Christianity?
  5. What does the phrase 'the residue of men' suggest about God's purposes for humanity?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 27 words
ὅπως1 of 27

“That”

G3704

what(-ever) how, i.e., in the manner that (as adverb or conjunction of coincidence, intentional or actual)

ἂν2 of 27
G302

whatsoever

ἐκζητήσωσιν3 of 27

“might seek after”

G1567

to search out, i.e., (figuratively)investigate, crave, demand, (by hebraism) worship

ὁ4 of 27

“who”

G3588

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

κατάλοιποι5 of 27

“the residue”

G2645

left down (behind), i.e remaining (plural the rest)

ὁ6 of 27

“who”

G3588

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

ἀνθρώπων7 of 27

“of men”

G444

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

ὁ8 of 27

“who”

G3588

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

κύριος9 of 27

“the Lord”

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

καὶ10 of 27

“and”

G2532

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

πάντα11 of 27

“all”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

ὁ12 of 27

“who”

G3588

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

ἔθνη13 of 27

“the Gentiles”

G1484

a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)

ἐπ'14 of 27

“upon”

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

οὓς15 of 27

“whom”

G3739

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

ἐπικέκληται16 of 27

“is called”

G1941

to entitle; by implication, to invoke (for aid, worship, testimony, decision, etc.)

ὁ17 of 27

“who”

G3588

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

ὄνομά18 of 27

“name”

G3686

a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)

μου19 of 27

“my”

G3450

of me

ἐπ'20 of 27

“upon”

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

αὐτούς21 of 27
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

λέγει22 of 27

“saith”

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

κύριος23 of 27

“the Lord”

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

ὁ24 of 27

“who”

G3588

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

ποιῶν25 of 27

“doeth”

G4160

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

ταῦτα26 of 27

“these things”

G5023

these things

πάντα27 of 27

“all”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

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 15:17 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 15:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Zechariah 2:11Zechariah 8:20-23Hosea 2:23Isaiah 65:1Jeremiah 16:19Malachi 1:11

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