Acts 15:12
New International Version
The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.

New Living Translation
Everyone listened quietly as Barnabas and Paul told about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.

English Standard Version
And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

Berean Literal Bible
Now the whole multitude kept silent and were listening to Barnabas and Paul relating what signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles by them.

King James Bible
Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

New King James Version
Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles.

New American Standard Bible
All the people kept silent, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were relating all the signs and wonders that God had done through them among the Gentiles.

NASB 1995
All the people kept silent, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were relating what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.

NASB 1977
And all the multitude kept silent, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were relating what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.

Legacy Standard Bible
And all the multitude kept silent, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were relating what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.

Amplified Bible
All the people remained silent, and they listened [attentively] to Barnabas and Paul as they described all the signs and wonders (attesting miracles) that God had done through them among the Gentiles.

Christian Standard Bible
The whole assembly became silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul describe all the signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then the whole assembly fell silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul describing all the signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.

American Standard Version
And all the multitude kept silence; and they hearkened unto Barnabas and Paul rehearsing what signs and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles through them.

Contemporary English Version
Everyone kept quiet and listened as Barnabas and Paul told how God had given them the power to work a lot of miracles and wonders for the Gentiles.

English Revised Version
And all the multitude kept silence; and they hearkened unto Barnabas and Paul rehearsing what signs and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The whole crowd was silent. They listened to Barnabas and Paul tell about all the miracles and amazing things that God had done through them among non-Jewish people.

Good News Translation
The whole group was silent as they heard Barnabas and Paul report all the miracles and wonders that God had performed through them among the Gentiles.

International Standard Version
The whole crowd was silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul tell about all the signs and wonders that God had done through them among the gentiles.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
The whole group kept quiet and listened to Barnabas and Paul while they explained all the miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.

New Heart English Bible
And all the people kept quiet, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul reporting what signs and wonders God had done among the nations through them.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought by them among the Gentiles.

Weymouth New Testament
Then the whole assembly remained silent while they listened to the statement made by Paul and Barnabas as to all the signs and marvels that God had done among the Gentiles through their instrumentality.

World English Bible
All the multitude kept silence, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul reporting what signs and wonders God had done among the nations through them.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And all the multitude kept silence and were listening to Barnabas and Paul expounding as many signs and wonders as God did among the nations through them;

Berean Literal Bible
Now the whole multitude kept silent and were listening to Barnabas and Paul relating what signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles by them.

Young's Literal Translation
And all the multitude did keep silence, and were hearkening to Barnabas and Paul, declaring as many signs and wonders as God did among the nations through them;

Smith's Literal Translation
And all the multitude were silent, and heard Barnabas and Paul, recounting what signs and wonders God did in the nations through them.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And all the multitude held their peace; and they heard Barnabas and Paul telling what great signs and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then the entire multitude was silent. And they were listening to Barnabas and Paul, describing what great signs and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles through them.

New American Bible
The whole assembly fell silent, and they listened while Paul and Barnabas described the signs and wonders God had worked among the Gentiles through them.

New Revised Standard Version
The whole assembly kept silence, and listened to Barnabas and Paul as they told of all the signs and wonders that God had done through them among the Gentiles.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then the whole congregation was silent, and listened to Paul and Barnabas, who were declaring the miracles and signs among the Gentiles and everything which God had wrought by their hands.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And all the crowds were silent, and they were listening to Paulus and to BarNaba, who related everything whatever God had done by their hands- signs and mighty deeds among the Gentiles.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Then all the multitude kept silence, and listened to Barnabas and Paul, while they made known what signs and wonders God had done by them among the Gentiles.

Godbey New Testament
And the whole multitude became silent, and continued to hear Barnabas and Paul, relating how many miracles and wonders God wrought among the Gentiles through them.

Haweis New Testament
Then the whole multitude kept silence, and listened to Barnabas and Paul, relating how great signs and miracles God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

Mace New Testament
The whole assembly were very silent, whilst Barnabas and Paul related what miracles and prodigies God had wrought among the Gentiles by their ministry.

Weymouth New Testament
Then the whole assembly remained silent while they listened to the statement made by Paul and Barnabas as to all the signs and marvels that God had done among the Gentiles through their instrumentality.

Worrell New Testament
And all the multitude kept silence: and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul, recounting what signs and wonders God wrought among the gentiles through them.

Worsley New Testament
And all the multitude kept silence, and gave attention to Barnabas and Paul, relating what signs and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Council at Jerusalem
11On the contrary, we believe it is through the grace of the Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.” 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. 13When they had finished speaking, James declared, “Brothers, listen to me!…

Cross References
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.

Acts 21:19
Paul greeted them and recounted one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.

Romans 15:18-19
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, / by the power of signs and wonders, and by the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.

Galatians 2:8-9
For the One who was at work in Peter’s apostleship to the circumcised was also at work in my apostleship to the Gentiles. / 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.

Acts 11:18
When they heard this, they had no further objections, and they glorified God, saying, “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.”

Acts 13:12
When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord.

Acts 10:44-46
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard his message. / All the circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. / For they heard them speaking in tongues and exalting God. Then Peter said,

Acts 19:11-12
God did extraordinary miracles through the hands of Paul, / so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and the diseases and evil spirits left them.

Acts 8:6-8
The crowds all paid close attention to Philip’s message and to the signs they saw him perform. / With loud shrieks, unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, and many of the paralyzed and lame were healed. / So there was great joy in that city.

Acts 9:35
and all who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.

Acts 13:48
When the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and glorified the word of the Lord, and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.

Acts 26:17-18
I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them / to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.’

Acts 28:28
Be advised, therefore, that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!”

Luke 2:32
a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.”

Isaiah 49:6
He says: “It is not enough for You to be My Servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the protected ones of Israel. I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.”


Treasury of Scripture

Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had worked among the Gentiles by them.

declaring.

Acts 15:4
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.

Acts 14:27
And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.

Acts 21:19
And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.

Jump to Previous
Assembly Audience Barnabas Declaring Gentiles Hearkened Kept Marvels Miracles Miraculous Multitude Nations Paul Quiet Related Relating Reporting Signs Silence Silent Telling Whole Wonders Wrought
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Assembly Audience Barnabas Declaring Gentiles Hearkened Kept Marvels Miracles Miraculous Multitude Nations Paul Quiet Related Relating Reporting Signs Silence Silent Telling Whole Wonders Wrought
Acts 15
1. Great dissensions arise regarding circumcision.
5. The apostles consult about it,
22. and send their determination by letters to the churches.
36. Paul and Barnabas, thinking to visit the brothers together,
39. disagree, and travel different ways.














The whole assembly fell silent
This phrase indicates a moment of profound attention and respect. The Greek word for "assembly" is "πλῆθος" (plēthos), which can refer to a multitude or a large gathering. In the context of the early church, this assembly likely included apostles, elders, and other believers. The silence signifies a collective pause, a readiness to hear and discern the truth. Historically, such moments of silence in assemblies were common in Jewish tradition, often preceding important declarations or decisions. This silence underscores the gravity of the situation and the respect for the speakers, Barnabas and Paul.

as they listened
The act of listening here is more than just hearing; it involves an active engagement with the message being delivered. The Greek word "ἀκούω" (akouō) implies understanding and consideration. In a scriptural context, listening is often associated with obedience and receptivity to God's will. The assembly's attentive listening reflects their openness to the testimony of Barnabas and Paul, which was crucial for the discernment process regarding the inclusion of Gentiles in the church.

to Barnabas and Paul
Barnabas and Paul were key figures in the early church, known for their missionary journeys and evangelistic efforts. Barnabas, whose name means "son of encouragement," was a Levite from Cyprus and a respected leader in the church. Paul, formerly Saul of Tarsus, was a Pharisee and a zealous persecutor of Christians before his dramatic conversion. Their partnership in ministry was significant, as they were both instrumental in spreading the Gospel to the Gentiles. Their testimony carried weight because of their firsthand experiences and the authority given to them by the Holy Spirit.

describing the signs and wonders
The phrase "signs and wonders" refers to miraculous events that serve as evidence of divine intervention. The Greek words "σημεῖα" (sēmeia) and "τέρατα" (terata) are often used together in the New Testament to denote miracles that authenticate the message of the Gospel. These signs and wonders were not just displays of power but were meant to confirm God's work among the Gentiles. In the biblical narrative, such miracles often accompany the proclamation of the Gospel, serving as a testament to God's presence and approval.

God had done among the Gentiles
This highlights the divine initiative in the mission to the Gentiles. The Greek word for "Gentiles" is "ἔθνη" (ethnē), which refers to nations or peoples other than the Jews. The inclusion of the Gentiles was a pivotal development in the early church, fulfilling the promise that the Gospel would be a light to all nations. The phrase emphasizes that it was God who orchestrated these events, affirming that the Gentile mission was part of His redemptive plan.

through them
The phrase "through them" indicates that Barnabas and Paul were instruments in God's hands. The Greek preposition "ἐν" (en) can mean "by" or "through," suggesting agency or means. This underscores the concept of divine partnership, where God works through human agents to accomplish His purposes. It is a reminder that while humans are called to participate in God's mission, it is ultimately His power and will that bring about transformation and salvation.

(12) And gave audience to Barnabas and Paul.--The leaders of the Church had clearly reserved their part in the debate to the last, and the two Apostles of the Gentiles were now called on to repeat more publicly what they had already narrated to the Apostles and elders (Acts 15:4). It was, perhaps, with a special view to the character of their hearers that they laid stress on the "signs and wonders" which had attested God's acceptance of their work (Matthew 12:38; Matthew 16:1; 1Corinthians 1:22). Miracles had been wrought among the Gentiles as freely as among the Jews, and those who wrought them, unless they were casting out devils by Beelzebub (and the Judaisers appear to have shrunk from that charge), must have been sent by God (John 3:2; John 9:31-33). . . . Verse 12. - And for then, A.V.; they hearkened for gave audience, A.V.; rehearsing what signs for declaring what miracles, A.V. Kept silence; marking the contrast between the noisy questionings and disputings which had preceded Peter's speech, and the quiet orderly attention with which they now listened to Paul and Barnabas, telling them of the conversion of the Gentiles. It recalls Virgil's description of the effect of the presence of a man of grave piety upon an excited crowd -

"Tum, pielate gravem ac meritis si forte virum quem
Aspexere, silent, arrectisque auribus adslant."


(AEneid,' 1:152.)

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
The
τὸ (to)
Article - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

whole
πᾶν (pan)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

assembly
πλῆθος (plēthos)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4128: A multitude, crowd, great number, assemblage. From pletho; a fulness, i.e. A large number, throng, populace.

fell silent
Ἐσίγησεν (Esigēsen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4601: Intrans: I am silent, keep silence; trans: I keep secret; pass: I am kept secret. From sige; to keep silent.

[as they]
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

listened to
ἤκουον (ēkouon)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 191: To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.

Barnabas
Βαρνάβα (Barnaba)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 921: Of Chaldee origin; son of Nabas; Barnabas, an Israelite.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

Paul
Παύλου (Paulou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3972: Paul, Paulus. Of Latin origin; Paulus, the name of a Roman and of an apostle.

describing
ἐξηγουμένων (exēgoumenōn)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 1834: To lead, show the way; met: I unfold, narrate, declare. From ek and hegeomai; to consider out, i.e. Rehearse, unfold.

[the]
ὅσα (hosa)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3745: How much, how great, how many, as great as, as much. By reduplication from hos; as As.

signs
σημεῖα (sēmeia)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 4592: Neuter of a presumed derivative of the base of semaino; an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

wonders
τέρατα (terata)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 5059: A wonder, portent, marvel. Of uncertain affinity; a prodigy or omen.

God
Θεὸς (Theos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

had done
ἐποίησεν (epoiēsen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.

among
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

the
τοῖς (tois)
Article - Dative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Gentiles
ἔθνεσιν (ethnesin)
Noun - Dative Neuter Plural
Strong's 1484: Probably from etho; a race, i.e. A tribe; specially, a foreign one.

through
δι’ (di’)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

them.
αὐτῶν (autōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.


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NT Apostles: Acts 15:12 All the multitude kept silence and they (Acts of the Apostles Ac)
Acts 15:11
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