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Acts 15:4

in Acts 15

On their arrival in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and apostles and elders, to whom they reported all that God had done through them.

BSB

The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾

ASV

And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church and the apostles and the elders, and they rehearsed all things that God had done with them.

KJV

And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.

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This verse in Acts 15

Commentary

9 notes on this verse

A commentator

Adam Clarke

1762–1832

Commentary on the Bible · Written before 1832.

They were received of the Church - The whole body of Christian believers. The apostles - Either the whole or part of the twelve; though we read of none but John, Peter, and James. See Gal 2:9. And elders - Those who were officers in the Church, under the apostles. They declared - To this council they gave a succinct account of the great work which God had wrought by them among the Gentiles. This was St. Paul’s third journey to Jerusalem after his conversion.

This site's exposition

recounting the conversion of the Gentiles

on Acts 15:3-4

The report of the Gentiles' conversion brought great joy to the brothers in Phoenicia and Samaria. In Jerusalem they reported all that God had done through them, the formula used at Antioch, with God named as the one who acted.

This site's exposition

welcomed by the church and apostles and elders

Luke names three bodies, the church, the apostles and the elders, and the same three stand together at verse 22 for the decision. The elders of Jerusalem first appear at 11:30, receiving the famine gift.

The record, by era

The Church Fathers2 voices

A commentator

Cassiodorus

Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles · Written before 585.

proposed

"And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were splendidly received by the church." When Paul and Barnabas were come to Jerusalem with the brethren because of the question that was being inquired into, they were received with great joy by the whole church. There …

A commentator

John Chrysostom

Homily on Acts 32 · Written before 407.

proposed

See what a providence is here! And observe they do not come accusing those at Antioch, but "declaring all things that God had done with them." Thus they say nothing of what had happened in the matter of the Jews. But still they brought forward none of these charges: but when they have proved the matter, then the Apostles write in stronger terms.

The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices

And when they were come to Jerusalem,....

A commentator

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

proposed

As they went they had planted, as they came back they had watered; but in both they were ready to own it was God that gave the increase. Note, It is a great honour to be employed for God, to be workers for him; for those that are so have him a worker with them, and he must have all the glory.

The Nineteenth Century1 voice

A commentator

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

1802–1910

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)

proposed

And when they were come to Jerusalem--This was Paul's THIRD VISIT TO JERUSALEM after his conversion, and on this occasion took place what is related in Ga 2:1-10.
1 more voice on this verse

The Nineteenth Century1 voice

They were received of the church - By the church, in a hospitable and friendly manner. They were acknowledged as Christian brethren, and received with Christian kindness. See Gal 2:9. And they declared - Paul and Barnabas, and those with them. That is, they stated the case; the remarkable conversion of the Gentiles, the evidence of their piety, and the origin of the present dispute.

The words behind it

22 Greek words

Every 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.

A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.

Related verses

18 in all, six open

The number beside each verse is how many compiled reference works tie it to this one. The strongest six stand open.

Acts 14:27When they arrived, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them, and how He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.5 worksActs 15:12The whole assembly fell silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul describing the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.5 worksActs 21:17When we arrived in Jerusalem, the brothers welcomed us joyfully.5 worksActs 15:3Sent 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.4 worksActs 14:23Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church, praying and fasting as they entrusted them to the Lord, in whom they had believed.4 works1 Timothy 5:1Do not rebuke an older man, but appeal to him as to a father. Treat younger men as brothers,4 works
The other 12 cross-references, with their words ▾
Acts 11:30This they did, sending their gifts to the elders with Barnabas and Saul.4 worksRomans 15:18I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obedience by word and deed,3 worksGalatians 2:2I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I spoke privately to those recognized as leaders, for fear that I was running or had already run in vain.3 worksJames 5:14Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.3 worksActs 15:2And after engaging these men in sharp debate, Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.3 worksActs 15:23and sent them with this letter: The apostles and the elders, your brothers, To the brothers among the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings.3 works3 John 1:8–10Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers for the truth.2 worksColossians 4:10My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you greetings, as does Mark the cousin of Barnabas. You have already received instructions about him: If he comes to you, welcome him.2 worksActs 21:19Paul greeted them and recounted one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.2 worksMatthew 10:40He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives the One who sent Me.2 worksActs 18:27When Apollos resolved to cross over to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. On his arrival, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed.2 works2 Corinthians 5:19that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s trespasses against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation.2 works

The walk

8 stops

Each 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

    Acts 14:27

    When they arrived, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them, and how He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.

    it leads to

    • Acts 15:12

      The whole assembly fell silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul describing the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.

      Reached by 3 separate paths from here.

    • 1 Corinthians 16:9

      because a great door for effective work has opened to me, even though many oppose me.

    • Colossians 4:3

      as you pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.

    • 2 Corinthians 2:12

      Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and a door stood open for me in the Lord,

    • 1 Corinthians 5:4

      When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, along with the power of the Lord Jesus,

  • Through

    Acts 15:3

    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.

    it leads to

    • Acts 14:27

      When they arrived, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them, and how He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.

      Reached by 2 separate paths from here.

  • Through

    Romans 15:18

    I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obedience by word and deed,

    it leads to

    • Acts 21:19

      Paul greeted them and recounted one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.

      Reached by 2 separate paths from here.

    • Romans 1:5

      Through Him and on behalf of His name, we received grace and apostleship to call all those among the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.

Where this verse is studied

About Acts

The Pentecost, El Greco, about 1600, Museo del Prado. Public domain.
The Pentecost, El Greco, about 1600, Museo del Prado. Public domain.
Acts: the study guide →Read Acts 15 →
This page draws on 9 works. Open the list of works

This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Cassiodorus, Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles; J. A. Alexander, The Acts of the Apostles Explained; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Chrysostom, Homily on Acts 32; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible and William Ramsay, St. Paul the Traveller and the Roman Citizen.

Read on in Acts 15 →