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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad13.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/acts/15-12.htm" title="Acts 15:12">◄</a> Acts 15:13 <a href="/acts/15-14.htm" title="Acts 15:14">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/acts/15.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/acts/15.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />When they finished, James spoke up. &#8220Brothers,&#8221 he said, &#8220listen to me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/acts/15.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />When they had finished, James stood and said, “Brothers, listen to me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/acts/15.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/acts/15.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />When they had finished speaking, James declared, “Brothers, listen to me!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/acts/15.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And after they were silent, James answered, saying, "Men, brothers, hear me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/acts/15.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men <i>and</i> brethren, hearken unto me:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/acts/15.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And after they had become silent, James answered, saying, “Men <i>and</i> brethren, listen to me:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/acts/15.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />After they stopped speaking, James responded, saying, “Brothers, listen to me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/acts/15.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />After they had stopped speaking, James answered, saying, &#8220Brethren, listen to me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/acts/15.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And after they had stopped speaking, James answered, saying, “Brethren, listen to me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/acts/15.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Now after they had stopped speaking, James answered, saying, “Brothers, listen to me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/acts/15.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />When they had finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/acts/15.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />After they stopped speaking, James responded, “Brothers, listen to me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/acts/15.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />After they stopped speaking, James responded: &#8220Brothers, listen to me! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/acts/15.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Brethren, hearken unto me:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/acts/15.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />After they had finished speaking, James said: My friends, listen to me! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/acts/15.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Brethren, hearken unto me:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/acts/15.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />After they finished speaking, James responded, "Brothers, listen to me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/acts/15.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />When they had finished speaking, James spoke up: "Listen to me, my friends! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/acts/15.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />After Paul and Barnabas had finished speaking, James responded, "Brothers, listen to me: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/acts/15.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />When they had finished speaking, James declared, ?Brothers, listen to me!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/acts/15.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />After they stopped speaking, James replied, "Brothers, listen to me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/acts/15.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />After they were silent, James answered, "Brothers, listen to me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/acts/15.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And after they held their peace, James answered, saying, Men, brethren, hearken to me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/acts/15.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />When they had finished speaking, James said, "Brethren, listen to me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/acts/15.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />After they were silent, James answered, “Brothers, listen to me. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/acts/15.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and after they were silent, James answered, saying, “Men, brothers, listen to me:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/acts/15.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And after they were silent, James answered, saying, "Men, brothers, hear me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/acts/15.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and after they are silent, James answered, saying, 'Men, brethren, hearken to me;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/acts/15.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And after they were silent, James answered, saying, Men, brethren, hear me:<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/acts/15.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying: Men, brethren, hear me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/acts/15.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And after they had been silent, James responded by saying: “Noble brothers, listen to me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/acts/15.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />After they had fallen silent, James responded, “My brothers, listen to me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/acts/15.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />After they finished speaking, James replied, “My brothers, listen to me.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/acts/15.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And when they had ceased speaking, James rose up and said, Men and brethren, hear me:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/acts/15.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />And after they had ceased, Yaqob arose and he said, “Men, brothers, hear me.”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/acts/15.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />And after they were silent, James answered and said: Brethren, hear me;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/acts/15.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />And after they became silent, James responded, saying, Men, brethren, hear me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/acts/15.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />Now when they ceased speaking, James replied, saying, Men and brethren, hear me:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/acts/15.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />After they had done speaking, James assum'd the discourse, and said, my brethren, give me your attention.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/acts/15.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />When they had finished speaking, James said, "Brethren, listen to me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/acts/15.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />And, after they were silent, James answered, saying, "Brethren, hear me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/acts/15.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />And after they had done speaking, James rose up and said, Brethren, hearken unto me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/acts/15-13.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/in5WTRQ9BSQ?start=4951" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/acts/15.htm">The Council at Jerusalem</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">12</span>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. <span class="reftext">13</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/3326.htm" title="3326: Meta (Prep) -- (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives. ">When</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-ANS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autous (PPro-AM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">they</a> <a href="/greek/4601.htm" title="4601: sigēsai (V-ANA) -- Intrans: I am silent, keep silence; trans: I keep secret; pass: I am kept secret. From sige; to keep silent.">had finished speaking,</a> <a href="/greek/2385.htm" title="2385: Iakōbos (N-NMS) -- The same as Iakob Graecized; Jacobus, the name of three Israelites.">James</a> <a href="/greek/611.htm" title="611: apekrithē (V-AIP-3S) -- From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak.">declared,</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. "></a> <a href="/greek/435.htm" title="435: Andres (N-VMP) -- A male human being; a man, husband. A primary word; a man.">“</a> <a href="/greek/80.htm" title="80: adelphoi (N-VMP) -- A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.">Brothers,</a> <a href="/greek/191.htm" title="191: akousate (V-AMA-2P) -- To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.">listen to</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: mou (PPro-G1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">me!</a> </span> <span class="reftext">14</span>Simon has told us how God first visited the Gentiles to take from them a people to be His own.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-1.htm">James 1:1</a></span><br />James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes of the Dispersion: Greetings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/2-9.htm">Galatians 2:9</a></span><br />And recognizing the grace that I had been given, James, Cephas, and John—those reputed to be pillars—gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/13-55.htm">Matthew 13:55</a></span><br />“Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t His mother’s name Mary, and aren’t His brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/6-3.htm">Mark 6:3</a></span><br />Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? Aren’t His sisters here with us as well?” And they took offense at Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/9-5.htm">1 Corinthians 9:5</a></span><br />Have we no right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jude/1-1.htm">Jude 1:1</a></span><br />Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, To those who are called, loved by God the Father, and kept in Jesus Christ:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/7-5.htm">John 7:5</a></span><br />For even His own brothers did not believe in Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/15-7.htm">1 Corinthians 15:7</a></span><br />Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/12-46.htm">Matthew 12:46-50</a></span><br />While Jesus was still speaking to the crowds, His mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to Him. / Someone told Him, “Look, Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to You.” / But Jesus replied, “Who is My mother, and who are My brothers?” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/8-19.htm">Luke 8:19-21</a></span><br />Then Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see Him, but they were unable to reach Him because of the crowd. / He was told, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see You.” / But He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear the word of God and carry it out.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/2-12.htm">John 2:12</a></span><br />After this, He went down to Capernaum with His mother and brothers and His disciples, and they stayed there a few days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/7-3.htm">John 7:3-10</a></span><br />So Jesus’ brothers said to Him, “Leave here and go to Judea, so that Your disciples there may see the works You are doing. / For no one who wants to be known publicly acts in secret. Since You are doing these things, show Yourself to the world.” / For even His own brothers did not believe in Him. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/10-2.htm">Matthew 10:2-4</a></span><br />These are the names of the twelve apostles: first Simon, called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; / Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; / Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/3-16.htm">Mark 3:16-19</a></span><br />These are the twelve He appointed: Simon (whom He named Peter), / James son of Zebedee and his brother John (whom He named Boanerges, meaning “Sons of Thunder”), / Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-14.htm">Luke 6:14-16</a></span><br />Simon, whom He named Peter, and his brother Andrew; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew; / Matthew and Thomas; James son of Alphaeus and Simon called the Zealot; / Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brothers, listen to me:</p><p class="hdg">after.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_corinthians/14-30.htm">1 Corinthians 14:30-33</a></b></br> If <i>any thing</i> be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/james/1-19.htm">James 1:19</a></b></br> Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:</p><p class="hdg">James.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/12-17.htm">Acts 12:17</a></b></br> But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/21-18.htm">Acts 21:18</a></b></br> And the <i>day</i> following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/mark/15-40.htm">Mark 15:40</a></b></br> There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;</p><p class="hdg">Men.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/2-14.htm">Acts 2:14,22,29</a></b></br> But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all <i>ye</i> that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/7-2.htm">Acts 7:2</a></b></br> And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/22-1.htm">Acts 22:1</a></b></br> Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence <i>which I make</i> now unto you.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/acts/14-9.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/acts/13-47.htm">End</a> <a href="/acts/12-25.htm">Finished</a> <a href="/acts/13-16.htm">Hearken</a> <a href="/acts/14-4.htm">Held</a> <a href="/acts/12-17.htm">James</a> <a href="/acts/13-16.htm">Listen</a> <a href="/acts/12-20.htm">Peace</a> <a href="/acts/15-12.htm">Silent</a> <a href="/acts/14-12.htm">Speaking</a> <a href="/acts/14-18.htm">Stopped</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/22-1.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/acts/20-1.htm">End</a> <a href="/acts/19-21.htm">Finished</a> <a href="/romans/10-16.htm">Hearken</a> <a href="/acts/19-9.htm">Held</a> <a href="/acts/21-18.htm">James</a> <a href="/exodus/6-9.htm">Listen</a> <a href="/acts/15-33.htm">Peace</a> <a href="/acts/18-9.htm">Silent</a> <a href="/acts/16-13.htm">Speaking</a> <a href="/acts/20-31.htm">Stopped</a><div class="vheading2">Acts 15</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/15-1.htm">Great dissensions arise regarding circumcision.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/15-5.htm">The apostles consult about it,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/15-22.htm">and send their determination by letters to the churches.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">36. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/15-36.htm">Paul and Barnabas, thinking to visit the brothers together, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">39. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/15-39.htm">disagree, and travel different ways.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/15.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/acts/15.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>When they had finished speaking</b><br>This phrase indicates a pause in the proceedings of the Jerusalem Council, a significant meeting in early Christianity. The council was convened to address the issue of whether Gentile converts to Christianity needed to follow Jewish law, particularly circumcision. The speakers who had finished were likely Paul and Barnabas, who had been recounting the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles. This moment marks a transition from testimony to decision-making.<p><b>James declared</b><br>James, the brother of Jesus, was a leading figure in the Jerusalem church. His role in this council highlights his authority and respect among the early Christians. Known as James the Just, he was recognized for his piety and adherence to Jewish law, which gave him a unique position to mediate between Jewish and Gentile believers. His declaration would carry significant weight in the decision-making process.<p><b>Brothers, listen to me!</b><br>James addresses the assembly as "brothers," emphasizing the familial bond among believers, transcending ethnic and cultural differences. This term reflects the early Christian understanding of the church as a family united in Christ. His call to listen underscores the importance of what he is about to say, inviting the council to consider his perspective carefully. This appeal to unity and attentiveness is crucial in resolving the theological and cultural tensions present at the council.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/james.htm">James</a></b><br>The speaker in this verse, James is a prominent leader in the early church, often identified as James the Just, the brother of Jesus. He played a crucial role in the Jerusalem Council, which addressed the issue of Gentile believers and the Mosaic Law.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem_council.htm">Jerusalem Council</a></b><br>A significant meeting of early church leaders in Jerusalem to discuss whether Gentile converts to Christianity should be required to follow Jewish law, particularly circumcision.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/b/brothers.htm">Brothers</a></b><br>Refers to the assembly of apostles and elders gathered at the Jerusalem Council, including Peter, Paul, Barnabas, and others.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/gentile_believers.htm">Gentile Believers</a></b><br>Non-Jewish individuals who had come to faith in Jesus Christ, central to the discussion at the Jerusalem Council.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/e/early_church.htm">Early Church</a></b><br>The community of believers in the first century, navigating the integration of Jewish and Gentile believers into one body.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/l/leadership_in_the_church.htm">Leadership in the Church</a></b><br>James exemplifies godly leadership by listening to others and then providing guidance. Church leaders today should emulate his example by being attentive and discerning.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/unity_in_diversity.htm">Unity in Diversity</a></b><br>The Jerusalem Council addressed the challenge of integrating diverse groups within the church. Modern churches can learn from this by fostering unity among believers of different backgrounds.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_scripture_in_decision-making.htm">The Role of Scripture in Decision-Making</a></b><br>James' declaration is rooted in Scripture, showing the importance of biblical grounding in church decisions. Believers should prioritize Scripture when making personal and communal decisions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/listening_before_speaking.htm">Listening Before Speaking</a></b><br>James waits until others have finished speaking before he addresses the council. This teaches the value of listening fully before responding, a principle applicable in all areas of life.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/resolving_conflicts.htm">Resolving Conflicts</a></b><br>The Jerusalem Council serves as a model for resolving conflicts within the church. It emphasizes the importance of dialogue, prayer, and seeking God's will.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_acts_15.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Acts 15</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_james_cite_amos_in_acts_15.htm">Acts 15:13–21 – Why does James cite Amos if the context of Amos 9 doesn’t clearly align with the Gentiles’ situation in this account? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_the_universal_church_of_god.htm">What is the timeline of Paul's life events?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_paul_a_false_prophet.htm">Is Paul a false prophet?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/main_themes_in_book_of_james.htm">What are the main themes in the Book of James?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/acts/15.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(13) <span class= "bld">James answered.</span>--The position which James the brother of the Lord (see Notes on <a href="/acts/12-17.htm" title="But he, beckoning to them with the hand to hold their peace, declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go show these things to James, and to the brothers. And he departed, and went into another place.">Acts 12:17</a>; and <a href="/matthew/12-46.htm" title="While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood without, desiring to speak with him.">Matthew 12:46</a>; <a href="/matthew/13-55.htm" title="Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brothers, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?">Matthew 13:55</a>) occupies in the Council is clearly that of pre-eminence, justifying the title of Bishop of Jerusalem, which later writers give him. No one speaks after him; he sum up the whole debate; he proposes the decree which is to be submitted to the Council for approval.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/acts/15.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 13.</span> <span class="accented">- Brethren</span> for <span class="accented">men and brethren</span>, A.V., as ver. 7. <span class="cmt_word">James answered</span>. James's place as presiding bishop is here distinctly marked by his summing up the debate. "This (James)was bishop, as they say, and, therefore, he speaks last" (Chrysost., ' Hem.,' 33.). And again, "No word speaks John here, no word the other apostles, but held their peace, for James was invested with the chief rule." "He says well with authority, '<span class="accented">My sentence is</span>" (ibid.). A remarkable testimony against papal supremacy. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/acts/15-13.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">When</span><br /><span class="grk">Μετὰ</span> <span class="translit">(Meta)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3326.htm">Strong's 3326: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">they</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτοὺς</span> <span class="translit">(autous)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">had finished speaking,</span><br /><span class="grk">σιγῆσαι</span> <span class="translit">(sigēsai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4601.htm">Strong's 4601: </a> </span><span class="str2">Intrans: I am silent, keep silence; trans: I keep secret; pass: I am kept secret. From sige; to keep silent.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">James</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἰάκωβος</span> <span class="translit">(Iakōbos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2385.htm">Strong's 2385: </a> </span><span class="str2">The same as Iakob Graecized; Jacobus, the name of three Israelites.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">declared,</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀπεκρίθη</span> <span class="translit">(apekrithē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_611.htm">Strong's 611: </a> </span><span class="str2">From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Brothers,</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀδελφοί</span> <span class="translit">(adelphoi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Vocative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_80.htm">Strong's 80: </a> </span><span class="str2">A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">listen to</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀκούσατέ</span> <span class="translit">(akousate)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_191.htm">Strong's 191: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">me!</span><br /><span class="grk">μου</span> <span class="translit">(mou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> </span><span class="str2">I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/acts/15-13.htm">Acts 15:13 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/acts/15-13.htm">Acts 15:13 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/acts/15-13.htm">Acts 15:13 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/acts/15-13.htm">Acts 15:13 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/acts/15-13.htm">Acts 15:13 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/acts/15-13.htm">Acts 15:13 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/acts/15-13.htm">Acts 15:13 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/acts/15-13.htm">Acts 15:13 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/acts/15-13.htm">Acts 15:13 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/acts/15-13.htm">Acts 15:13 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/acts/15-13.htm">NT Apostles: Acts 15:13 After they were silent James answered Brothers (Acts of the Apostles Ac) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/acts/15-12.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Acts 15:12"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Acts 15:12" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/acts/15-14.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Acts 15:14"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Acts 15:14" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>