Postulasagan 15:12

Heilögum Biblíunni

12 Þá sló þögn á allan hópinn, og menn hlýddu á Barnabas og Pál, er þeir sögðu frá, hve mörg tákn og undur Guð hafði látið þá gjöra meðal heiðingjanna.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

declaring: Acts 15:4, Acts 14:27, Acts 21:19

Reciprocal: Exodus 18:1 - God Numbers 23:23 - What hath Joshua 22:33 - the thing 1 Samuel 14:45 - he hath Psalms 31:19 - wrought Acts 4:36 - Barnabas Acts 15:3 - declaring Acts 19:11 - General Acts 21:22 - the multitude Romans 1:13 - even Romans 15:18 - which Romans 15:19 - mighty Galatians 2:2 - communicated Galatians 2:7 - when Galatians 2:8 - the same

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Then all the multitude kept silence,.... Upon this oration of Peter's, there was a profound silence in the whole assembly, among all the brethren of the church, who were come together on this occasion; they were all satisfied with, and by their silence acquiesced in, what Peter said; and waited to hear what might be further said about this matter, by other persons in the assembly; and even those who were on the other side of the question, were confounded and nonplussed, and knew not what to say, and the more so, when they perceived that the rest of the apostles and elders were of the same mind; for Beza's most ancient copy introduces this clause thus; "then the elders agreeing to the things that were said by Peter, the whole multitude was silent": and this gave Paul and Barnabas an opportunity of being heard; who, perhaps, could not so well be heard before, for the clamour of the people against them, who might not have so good an opinion of them, and of their practices:

and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul; Barnabas is mentioned first, he being most known to the Jews, and of whom they might have the better opinion; and who probably gave the account of their proceedings and success among the Gentiles:

declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them; what wonders of grace were wrought in the conversion of multitudes of them, wherever they came; and what miracles in nature were wrought for the confirmation of the Gospel, such as the striking blind Elymas the sorcerer, at Paphos in Cyprus, and curing the cripple at Lystra; and which they ascribe not to themselves but to God, whose instruments they only were.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Then all the multitude - Evidently the multitude of private Christians who were assembled on this occasion. That it does not refer to a synod of ministers and elders merely is apparent:

(1) Because the church, the brethren, are represented as having been present, and as concurring in the final opinion Acts 15:22-23; and,

(2) Because the word “multitude” τὸ πλῆθος to plēthos would not have been used in describing the collection of apostles and elders merely. Compare Luke 1:10-11, Luke 1:13; Luke 5:6; Luke 6:17; Luke 19:37; John 5:3; John 21:6; Acts 4:32; Acts 6:2; Matthew 3:7.

Gave audience - Heard, listened attentively to.

Barnabas and Paul - They were deeply interested in it, and they were qualified to give a fair statement of the facts as they had occurred.

Declaring what miracles and wonders ... - The argument here evidently is, that God had approved their work by miracles; that he gave evidence that what they did had his approbation; and that as all this was done without imposing on them the rites of the Jews, so it would follow that those were not now to be commanded.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Acts 15:12. All the multitude kept silence — The strong facts stated by St. Peter could not be controverted. His speech may be thus analyzed:

1. Circumcision is a sign of the purification of the heart.

2. That purification can only be effected by the Holy Ghost.

3. This Holy Spirit was hitherto supposed to be the portion of those only who had received circumcision.

4. But the Gentiles, who were never circumcised, nor kept any part of the law of Moses, have had their hearts purified by faith in Christ Jesus.

5. As God, therefore, has given them the thing signified, he evidently does not intend that the sign should be administered.

6. Should we impose this burthensome rite, we should most evidently be provoking God, who plainly shows us that he intends no more to save in this way.

7. Therefore it is evident that both Jews and Gentiles are to be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Gave audience to Barnabas and Paul — These apostles came forward next, to corroborate what Peter had said, by showing the miracles and wonders which God had by them wrought among the Gentiles. Peter stated facts: Paul and Barnabas confirmed the statement.