Acts 16:21 Made Simple

KJV ORIGINAL

And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.

Close to the original. Clear modern English.

✦ MADE SIMPLE

They're teaching ways of living that we Romans aren't allowed to accept or follow.

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

Sometimes people will try to shut down what's different just because it doesn't fit their rules.

📚 Historical Context

In Acts 16, Paul and Silas were in Philippi, a Roman colony, where they faced accusations from local people who profited from a slave girl's fortune-telling. The charge was that Paul and Silas were promoting Jewish and Christian customs that conflicted with Roman laws and traditions, as the accusers emphasized their Roman identity to highlight the cultural clash. This incident reflects the broader challenges early Christians encountered in Roman territories, where loyalty to Rome often trumped religious innovations.

Explore Similar Verses

1 Timothy 4:11

This is what you need to be telling people and teaching them.

2 Timothy 2:2

All those truths you've learned from me while others were listening, pass them on to people you can trust, people who can actually teach others too.

Acts 5:25

Then someone rushed in and was like, 'Um, those guys you locked up? They're literally standing in the temple right now, teaching people.'

Ask the AI Assistant

Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.

Share or Save

📚 Historical Context

Explore Similar Verses

Ask the AI Assistant

Translation & Methodology Sources