21 The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.
21 And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.
21 The people stood far off, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was.
21 The people kept their distance while Moses approached the thick cloud where God was.
21 So the people stood afar off, but Moses drew near the thick darkness where God was.
21 As the people stood in the distance, Moses approached the dark cloud where God was.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 20:21
Commentary on Exodus 20:18-21
(Read Exodus 20:18-21)
This law, which is so extensive that we cannot measure it, so spiritual that we cannot evade it, and so reasonable that we cannot find fault with it, will be the rule of the future judgment of God, as it is for the present conduct of man. If tried by this rule, we shall find our lives have been passed in transgressions. And with this holy law and an awful judgment before us, who can despise the gospel of Christ? And the knowledge of the law shows our need of repentance. In every believer's heart sin is dethroned and crucified, the law of God is written, and the image of God renewed. The Holy Spirit enables him to hate sin and flee from it, to love and keep this law in sincerity and truth; nor will he cease to repent.