John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 15:21
For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him ,.... That is, for many years past, even from the times of Ezra, the law of Moses has been publicly expounded by them, whom the Jews call Derashim, preachers, or expounders, in every city where there was a synagogue; and every city belonging to the Jews, were obliged to build a synagogue, yea, they were obliged to do it where there were but ten Israelites F14 Maimon. Tephilla, c. 11. sect. 1. : this is given by James as a... read more
John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 15:20
But that we write unto them ,.... Or send an epistle to them, to this effect, concerning the following things: that they abstain from pollutions of idols ; that is, from eating things offered to idols; see Acts 15:29 for not idolatry, or the worshipping of idols itself, is here spoken of; for that was no indifferent thing; and besides, these converted Gentiles were turned from that, and there was no danger of their returning to it; but eating things sacrificed to idols was an... read more