Albert Barnes

Sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, recounting the conversion of the Gentiles and bringing great joy to all the brothers.

“And being brought on their way by the church - Being attended and conducted by the Christian brethren. See the notes on Rom 15:24. It was customary for the Christians to attend the apostles in their travels. Compare 1Co 16:6, 1Co 16:11; 3Jn 1:6.”

But some believers from the party of the Pharisees stood up and declared, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses.”

“But there rose up ... - It has been doubted whether these are the words of Paul and Barnabas, relating what occurred at Antioch, or whether they are the words of Luke recording what took place at Jerusalem.”

After much discussion, Peter got up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you that the Gentiles would hear from…

“Much disputing - Or rather, much inquiry or deliberation. With our word disputing we commonly connect the idea of heat and anger. This is not necessarily implied in the word used here.”

On the contrary, we believe it is through the grace of the Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

“But we believe - We apostles, who have been with them, and have seen the evidences of their acceptance with God. Through the grace ... - By the grace or mercy of Christ alone, without any of the rites and ceremonies of the Jews.”

When they had finished speaking, James declared, “Brothers, listen to me!

“James answered - James the Less, son of Alpheus. See the notes on Act 12:1. Hearken unto me - This whole transaction shows that Peter had no such authority in the church as the papists pretend, for otherwise his opinion would have been followed without…”

The words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written:

“The words of the prophets - Amo 9:11-12. It was a very material point with them, as Jews, to inquire whether this was in accordance with the predictions of the Scriptures.”

so that the remnant of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by My name, says the Lord who does these things

“That the residue of men - This verse is quoted literally from the Septuagint, and differs in some respects from the Hebrew.”

It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not cause trouble for the Gentiles who are turning to God.

“My sentence - Greek: I judge κρίνω krinō that is, I give my opinion. It is the usual language in which a judge delivers his opinion; but it does not imply here that James assumed authority to settle the case, but merely that he gave…”

For Moses has been proclaimed in every city from ancient times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”

“For Moses - The meaning of this verse is, that the Law of Moses, prohibiting these things, was read in the synagogues constantly.”

and sent them with this letter: The apostles and the elders, your brothers, To the brothers among the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings.

“And wrote letters - Greek: “Having written.” It does not mean that they wrote more than one epistle. By them - Greek: by their hand.” After this manner - Greek: these things.”

When the people read it, they rejoiced at its encouraging message.

“They rejoiced for the consolation - They acquiesced in the decision of the apostles and elders, and rejoiced that they were not to be subjected to the burdensome rites and ceremonies of the Jewish religion. This closes the account of the first Christian council.”

But Paul and Barnabas remained at Antioch, along with many others, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord.

“Paul also, and Barnabas, continued in Antioch - How long a time is unknown. It is probable that at this time the unhappy incident occurred between Paul and Peter which is recorded in Gal 2:11-14.”

Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark.

“And Barnabas determined - Greek: willed, or was disposed to (ἐβουλεύσαντο ebouleusanto). John ... - See the notes on Act 12:12. He had been with them before as a traveling companion, Act 12:25; Act 13:5.”

But Paul thought it best not to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not accompanied them in the work.

“But Paul thought not good - Did not think it proper. Because he could not confide in his perseverance with them in the toils and perils of their journey. Who departed from them ... - Act 13:13. Why he did this is not known.”

Their disagreement was so sharp that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus,

“And the contention was so sharp - The word used here παροξυσμός paroxusmos is that from which our word “paroxysm” is derived. It may denote “any excitement of mind,” and is used in a good sense in Heb 10:24.”

And he traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

“Syria and Cilicia - These were countries lying near to each other, which Paul, in company with Barnabas, had before visited. Confirming the churches - Strengthening them by instruction and exhortation. It has no reference to the rite of confirmation.”

Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where he found a disciple named Timothy, the son of a believing Jewish woman and a Greek father.

“Then came he - That is, Paul in company with Silas. Luke does not give us the history of Barnabas, but confines his narrative to the journey of Paul. To Derbe and Lystra - See the notes on Act 14:6.”

So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.

“Established in the faith - Confirmed in the belief of the gospel The effect of the wise and conciliatory measure was to increase and strengthen the churches.”

And when they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not permit them.

“Mysia - This was a province of Asia Minor, having Propontis on the north, Bithynia on the east, Lydia on the south, and the Aegean Sea on the west. They assayed - They endeavored; they attempted.”

During the night, Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”

“And a vision - See the notes on Act 9:10. There stood a man - etc. The appearance of a man who was known to be of Macedonia, probably by his dress and language.”

We sailed from Troas straight to Samothrace, and the following day on to Neapolis.

“Loosing from Troas - Setting sail from this place. To Samothracia - This was an island in the Aegean Sea not far from Thrace. It was populated by inhabitants from Samos and from Thrace, and hence called Samothracia.”

On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate along the river, where it was customary to find a place of prayer.

“And on the sabbath - There is no doubt that in this city there were Jews; In the time of the apostles they were scattered extensively throughout the known world. By a river side - What river this was is not known.”

And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.”

“And when she was baptized - Apparently without any delay. Compare Act 2:41; Act 8:38. It was usual to be baptized immediately on believing. And her household - Greek: her house ὁ οἶκος ἀυτῆς ho oikos autēs, her family.”

This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation!”

“The same followed Paul ... - Why she did this, or under what presence, the sacred writer has not informed us.”

by promoting customs that are unlawful for us Romans to adopt or practice.”

“And teach customs - The word “customs” here ἔθη ethē refers to “religious rites or forms of worship.” See the notes on Act 6:14. They meant to charge the apostles with introducing a new religion which was unauthorized by the Roman laws.”