Acts 15:35

Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(35) Preaching the word of the Lord.—Here, as often elsewhere, preaching the glad tidings of the word.

With many others.—Among these we may fairly reckon the prophets of Acts 13:1. Looking to the later history of the Church of Antioch, it is not improbable that we may think also of the martyr Ignatius, and Euodius, afterwards Bishop of Antioch, as among those who were thus active, though they were not prominent enough, when St. Luke wrote, to be specially named. Ignatius was said to have been, together with Polycarp, a disciple of St. John (Mart. Ignat. c. 3), while another tradition represents him as a follower of Peter. It is possible that the dispute between St. Peter and St. Paul, referred to in Galatians 2:11-13, occurred during this period, but the evidence on the whole tends to connect it with St. Paul’s visit to Antioch in Acts 18:22, where see Note.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

15:22-35 Being warranted to declare themselves directed by the immediate influence of the Holy Ghost, the apostles and disciples were assured that it seemed good unto God the Holy Spirit, as well as to them, to lay upon the converts no other burden than the things before mentioned, which were necessary, either on their own account, or from present circumstances. It was a comfort to hear that carnal ordinances were no longer imposed on them, which perplexed the conscience, but could not purify or pacify it; and that those who troubled their minds were silenced, so that the peace of the church was restored, and that which threatened division was removed. All this was consolation for which they blessed God. Many others were at Antioch. Where many labour in the word and doctrine, yet there may be opportunity for us: the zeal and usefulness of others should stir us up, not lay us asleep.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Paul also, and Barnabas, continued in Antioch - How long a time is unknown. It is probable that at this time the unhappy incident occurred between Paul and Peter which is recorded in Galatians 2:11-14.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

35. Paul … and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching—to the disciples.

and preaching—to those without.

the word of the Lord, with many others—other laborers.

also—How rich must Antioch at this time have been in the ministrations of the Gospel! (For a painful scene on this occasion between Paul and Peter, see Ga 2:11-14).

Matthew Poole's Commentary

Judas only returned to Jerusalem, to acquaint the apostles with the reception their letter had met with, and what obedience was readily given to their decrees; so that when these went away the church at Antioch was not left destitute of faithful pastors. When God gives the word, great is the multitude of preachers, Psalm 68:11.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch,.... As well as Silas: teaching and preaching the word of the Lord; the Gospel of Christ; not the word of men, but the word of the Lord, of which he is both the author and subject: this they preached in season, and out of season, with power, purity, plainness, and faithfulness.

And many others also; who either came along with them from Jerusalem, when they brought the letter from thence, or were here before; who came hither upon the persecution raised at the death of Stephen, Acts 11:19 or they were the prophets which afterwards came from Jerusalem thither, Acts 11:27 such as Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, Acts 13:1.

Geneva Study Bible

Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Expositor's Greek Testament

Acts 15:35. διέτριβον, cf. Acts 12:19, and see also on Acts 16:12. In LXX cf. Leviticus 14:8, Jeremiah 42 (35):7, Jdt 10:2, 2Ma 14:23. So also in classics with or without χρόνον.—διδάσ. καὶ εὐαγγ.: possibly the first may refer to work inside the Church, and the second to work outside, but the distinction can scarcely be pressed. Within this time, according to Wendt, falls the incident between Paul and Peter, Galatians 2:11. On the other hand, see Weiss, Apostelgeschichte, p. 194, who thinks that the τινας ἡμέρας excludes, Galatians 2, etc., but the phrase is very indefinite, and may have included months as well as days, cf. Acts 16:12, and Acts 9:23. On the incident referred to see additional note at end of chapter.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

35. teaching and preaching the word of the Lord] In such a community there was need not only of setting forth Jesus as the Saviour, but of much instruction concerning the ways in which God had shewn that the Gentiles were now to be made partakers of the new covenant. So that the two verbs should not be taken one as an explanation of the other.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 35. - But Paul for Paul also, A.V.; tarried for continued, A.V. It is at this time that Meyer and other commentators (see ver. 1, note) place Peter's visit to Antioch mentioned in Galatians 2:11. But it is quite inconceivable that Peter, with all the influence of the Jerusalem Cornell fresh upon him, and after the part he himself took in it, and when his own emissaries, Silas and Judas, had just left Antioch, should act the part there ascribed to him. Nor is it within the region of probability that, so soon after the council, any should have come "from James" to unsay what James had said and written at the council. We may with much confidence place Peter's visit to Antioch before the council, as suggested in note to ver. 1. Acts 15:35