Acts 15:31
in Acts 15When the people read it, they rejoiced at its encouraging message.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
And when they had read it, they rejoiced for the consolation.
KJV
Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.
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This verse in Acts 15
Commentary
7 notes on this verseWhich when they had read,.... That is, when the brethren of the church at Antioch had read the letter delivered to them; for not Paul and Barnabas, or Judas and Silas, who were sent with it, read it, but the brethren to whom it was sent, as was proper.
This site's exposition
gathered the multitude together
on Acts 15:30-33
So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch, and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle, the whole church hearing the decision rather than only its leaders, and which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation, the burden lifted exactly as the letter intended. Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them, the written decree reinforced by living ministry rather than left to stand alone on paper. After they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles, the matter closing without any recorded resentment on either side.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers1 voice
"So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle: which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation." Then those brethren also exhorted them: and having established them, for towards Paul they were contentiously disposed, so departed from them in peace. For it might have been done also without letters, but that there may be a law in writing they send this Epistle: again, that they may obey the law the Apostles also told those men the same things, and they did this, and confirmed them.
The Medieval Church1 voice
The progress of the disciples — that is the consolation for the teachers!
The Nineteenth Century3 voices
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
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. It was conducted throughout on Christian principles; in a mild, kind, conciliatory spirit, and is a model for all similar assemblages.
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
proposed
they rejoiced for the consolation--As the same word is in Ac 15:31 properly rendered "exhorted," the meaning probably is "rejoiced for the exhortation" (Margin), or advice; so wise in itself and so contrary to the imposition attempted to be practiced upon them by the Judaizers.
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — starts-lowercase
They rejoiced for the consolation - It was not a matter of small moment to have a question on which such stress was laid decided by an apostolic council, over which the Spirit of God presided.
The words behind it
6 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ἀναγνόντες | anagnontes | Having read [it] | G314 → | 32 times |
| δὲ | de | now | G1161 → | 2765 times |
| ἐχάρησαν | echaresan | they rejoiced | G5463 → | 74 times |
| ἐπὶ | epi | at | G1909 → | 883 times |
| τῇ | tea | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| παρακλήσει. | paraklesei | encouragement. | G3874 → | 29 times |
ἀναγνόντεςHaving read [it]
anagnontesG314 →32 times
δὲnow
deG1161 →2765 times
ἐχάρησανthey rejoiced
echaresanG5463 →74 times
ἐπὶat
epiG1909 →883 times
τῇthe
teaG3588 →19766 times
παρακλήσει.encouragement.
parakleseiG3874 →29 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Galatians 5:1It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.
it leads to
- 2 Corinthians 3:17
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
- Galatians 5:13
For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love.
- 1 Peter 2:16
Live in freedom, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.
- Romans 6:14
For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.
- John 8:32–36
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
- 2 Corinthians 3:17
Through
Philippians 3:3For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—
it leads to
- Colossians 2:11
In Him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of your sinful nature, with the circumcision performed by Christ and not by human hands.
- Deuteronomy 30:6
The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, and you will love Him with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live.
- Colossians 2:11
Through
Acts 15:1Then some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”
it leads to
- Galatians 5:6
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. All that matters is faith, expressed through love.
- Galatians 5:6
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies3
On this verse
On this chapter
About Acts
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Chrysostom, Homily on Acts 33; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible and Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on Acts.