John Gill Commentary Acts 15:21

"For Moses from generations of old hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath." — Acts 15:21 (ASV)

For Moses of old time has in every city those who preach him , &c.] 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, yes, they were obliged to do it where there were but ten Israelites^F14:

This is given by James as a reason why the Gentiles should be written to concerning the above things. Because, hearing the law read and expounded every week, they would be ready to conclude that they were obliged to submit to it, as to circumcision and other things, unless they were told they were free from it. Only, in order to maintain peace with their brethren the Jews, it would be necessary for them to abstain from the above things:

And it may also carry in it a reason why the Jews need not be written to, and why they had no reason to complain for thus writing to the Gentiles; since they had the law read and explained to them every week, there would be no attempt to make any alteration in that form of service:

being read in the synagogues every sabbath day ;
(See Gill on Acts 13:15).

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FOOTNOTES:

• F14: Maimon. Tephilla, c. 11. sect. 1.