Acts 15 · Verse 22

Acts 15:22

Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:
Acts 15:22, King James Version

Acts 15:22 in other translations

BSBThen the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to select men from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas called Barsabbas and Silas, two leaders among the brothers,
WEBThen it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brothers.
ASVThen it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:
YLTThen it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, chosen men out of themselves to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas--Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren--
DARBYThen it seemed good to the apostles and to the elders, with the whole assembly, to send chosen men from among them with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch, Judas called Barsabas and Silas, leading men among the brethren,
BBEThen it seemed good to the Apostles and the rulers and all the church, to send men from among them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; Judas, named Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brothers:
WebsterThen it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:

What does Acts 15:22 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Acts 15:22-23
22-23. Judas surnamed Barsabas--therefore not the apostle "Judas the brother of James" (Ac 1:13), surnamed "Thaddeus" (Mt 10:3); nor can it be shown that he was a brother of "Joseph called Barsabas" (Ac 1:23). But nothing is known of him beyond what is here said. and Silas--the same as "Silvanus" in the Epistles. He became Paul's companion on his second missionary journey (Ac 15:40). chief men among the brethren--selected purposely as such, to express the honor in which they held the church at Antioch, and the deputies they had sent to the council, and, as the matter affected all Gentile converts, to give weight to the written decision of this important assembly. They were "prophets," Ac 15:32 (and see on Ac 11:27), and as such doubtless their eminence in the church at Jerusalem had been obtained.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 22. Then pleased it. It seemed fit and proper to them.

The apostles and elders. To whom the business had been particularly referred, Acts 15:2. Comp. Acts 16:4.

With the whole Church. All the Christians who were there assembled together. They concurred in the sentiment, and expressed their approbation in the letter that was sent, Acts 15:23. Whether they were consulted, does not particularly appear. But as it is not probable that they would volunteer an opinion unless they were consulted, it seems most reasonable to suppose that the apostles and elders submitted the case to them for their approbation. It would seem that the apostles and elders deliberated on it, and decided it; but still, for the sake of peace and unity, they also took measures to ascertain that their decision agreed with the unanimous sentiment of the church.

Chosen men. Men chosen for this purpose.

Of their own company. From among themselves. Greater weight and authority would thus be attached to their message.

Judas, surnamed Barsabas. Possibly the same who was nominated to the vacant place in the apostleship, Acts 1:23. But Grotius supposes that it was his brother.

And Silas. He was afterwards the travelling companion of Paul, Acts 15:40, 16:25,29, 17:4,10,15. He is also the same person, probably, who is mentioned by the name of Silvanus, 2Cor 1:19, 1Thes 1:1 2Thes 1:1, 1Pet 5:12.

Chief men among the brethren. Greek, Leaders. Comp. Lk 22:26. Men of influence, experience, and authority in the church. Judas and Silas are said to have been prophets, Acts 15:32. They had, therefore, been engaged as preachers and rulers in the church at Jerusalem.

(b) "Barsabas" Acts 1:23

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole Church - James determined what ought to be done; and the whole assembly resolved how that should be done. Chosen men of their own company - Paul and Barnabas were to return: they could have witnessed to the Church at Antioch what was done at the council at Jerusalem; but as it was possible that their testimony might be suspected, from the part they had already taken in this question at Antioch, it was necessary that a deputation from the council should accompany them. Accordingly Judas and Silas are sent to corroborate by their oral testimony what was contained in the letters sent from the council.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Acts 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.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Acts 15:22 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΤότεToteThenG5119
ἔδοξενedoxenit seemed goodG1380
τοῖςtoisto theG3588
ἀποστόλοιςapostoloisapostlesG652
καὶkaiandG2532
τοῖςtoisto theG3588
πρεσβυτέροιςpresbuteroiseldersG4245
σὺνsunwithG4862
ὅλῃholēallG3650
τῇtēatheG3588
ἐκκλησίᾳekklēsiachurchG1577
ἐκλεξαμένουςeklexamenoushaving chosenG1586
ἄνδραςandrasmenG435
ἐξexout fromG1537
αὐτῶνautōnthemG846
πέμψαιpempsaito sendG3992
εἰςeistoG1519
ἈντιόχειανAntiocheianAntiochG490
σὺνsunwithG4862
τῷtō<the>G3588
ΠαύλῳPaulōPaulG3972
καὶkaiandG2532
Βαρναβᾷ,BarnabaBarnabas,G921
ἸούδανIoudanJudasG2455
τὸνtonwhoG3588
καλούμενονkaloumenonis being calledG2564
ΒαρσαββᾶνBarsabbanBarsabbasG923
καὶkaiandG2532
Σιλᾶν,SilanSilas,G4609
ἄνδραςandrasmenG435
ἡγουμένουςhēgoumenousleadingG2233
ἐνenamongG1722
τοῖςtoistheG3588
ἀδελφοῖς,adelphoisbrothers,G80

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Acts 15:22

  • Acts 15:27

    We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.

  • Acts 15:40

    And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.

  • 2 Thessalonians 1:1

    Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

  • Acts 15:32

    And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

  • Acts 1:23

    And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.

  • 1 Peter 5:12

    By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.

  • Acts 18:5

    And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.

  • 1 Thessalonians 1:1

    Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

  • Acts 17:10

    And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

  • Acts 17:4

    And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.

  • Acts 17:14

    And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still.

  • Acts 16:19

    And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
pleased.
23,25; 6:4,5; 2Sa 3:36; 2Ch 30:4,12
to send.
27; 8:14; 11:22
Barsabas.
1:23
Silas.
27,32,40; 16:19,25,29; 17:4,10,14; 18:5; 1Th 1:1; 2Th 1:1; 1Pe 5:12
Silvanus.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Acts 15:21

    For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

  • Acts 15:22

    Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:

  • Acts 15:23

    And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:

Read all of Acts 15

Acts 15:22 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Entonces pareció bien á los apóstoles y á los ancianos, con toda la iglesia, elegir varones de ellos, y enviarlos á Antioquía con Pablo y Bernabé: á Judas que tenía por sobrenombre Barsabas, y á Silas, varones principales entre los hermanos;
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Alors il sembla bon aux apôtres et aux anciens, avec toute l’assemblée, de choisir parmi eux des hommes, et de les envoyer à Antioche avec Paul et Barnabas: savoir Judas appelé Barsabbas, et Silas, hommes d’entre ceux qui tenaient la première place parmi les frères.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Dann däuchte es den Aposteln und den Ältesten samt der ganzen Versammlung gut, Männer aus sich zu erwählen und sie mit Paulus und Barnabas nach Antiochien zu senden: Judas, genannt Barsabas, und Silas, Männer, welche Führer unter den Brüdern waren.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Tunc placuit Apostolis et senioribus cum omni ecclesia eligere viros ex eis, et mittere Antiochiam cum Paulo et Barnaba: Judam, qui cognominabatur Barsabas, et Silam, viros primos in fratribus: