Acts 15 33

Acts 15:33 kjv

And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.

Acts 15:33 nkjv

And after they had stayed there for a time, they were sent back with greetings from the brethren to the apostles.

Acts 15:33 niv

After spending some time there, they were sent off by the believers with the blessing of peace to return to those who had sent them.

Acts 15:33 esv

And after they had spent some time, they were sent off in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them.

Acts 15:33 nlt

They stayed for a while, and then the believers sent them back to the church in Jerusalem with a blessing of peace.

Acts 15 verses

Acts 15 33 Meaning

Acts 15:33 describes the return of Judas Barsabbas and Silas from Antioch to Jerusalem. After delivering the Jerusalem Council's letter and spending a period of encouraging fellowship with the believers in Antioch, they were formally sent back. This "sending with peace" signifies the official endorsement, blessing, and good wishes from the Antiochian church, affirming the successful completion of their diplomatic and spiritual mission, and confirming the unity and harmony established by the Council's decree. Their return completes the cycle of communication and reporting back to the apostles and elders who originally sent them.

Acts 15 33 Context

Acts 15:33 is situated immediately following the resolution of the pivotal Jerusalem Council, which addressed the divisive question of Gentile conversion and adherence to the Mosaic Law, particularly circumcision. After the council, a letter articulating the decision was drafted and carried by Paul, Barnabas, Judas Barsabbas, and Silas to Antioch (Acts 15:22-29). Upon their arrival in Antioch, the letter was delivered, read, and greatly encouraged the Gentile believers (Acts 15:30-31). Judas and Silas, being prophets, also ministered directly, strengthening and confirming the Antiochian church (Acts 15:32). This verse marks the departure of Judas and Silas, concluding their specific mission as envoys from Jerusalem, having successfully achieved reconciliation and strengthened the unity between the churches in Jerusalem and Antioch. The historical context reflects the early church's processes for dispute resolution, inter-church communication, and formal authorization of spiritual delegates, establishing precedents for ecclesiastical harmony.

Acts 15 33 Word analysis

• And (Kai, καὶ): A simple conjunction indicating sequence and continuation. Connects the previous event (Judas and Silas encouraging the Antiochian believers) with their subsequent departure.
• after they had spent some time (chronon tina poiesantes, χρόνον τινα ποιήσαντες): Lit. "having made some time." This phrase indicates a significant, but unspecified, period of duration, not just a brief visit. It suggests they didn't immediately leave after delivering the letter, but actively participated in the life of the Antiochian church, providing further encouragement and ministering (as mentioned in Acts 15:32). This reflects a pattern of hospitality and extended fellowship within the early church, where envoys were often integrated into the community for a while.
• there (ekei, ἐκεῖ): Refers specifically to Antioch, the location where they had been serving and where the Jerusalem decree was received.
• they were sent back (apoluthéntes, ἀπολυθέντες): A passive participle, meaning "having been released," "dismissed," or "sent away." This is a formal term, suggesting an authorized and blessed departure by the church in Antioch, not merely them deciding to leave. It implies a recognition of their service and an official closing of their assignment there. The term carries connotations of respectful dismissal and commission for the return journey, akin to being formally "discharged."
• with peace (meta eirénēs, μετὰ εἰρήνης): More than just "peacefully." Eirénē (peace) in the New Testament is a rich term, going beyond the mere absence of conflict. It refers to a state of wholeness, well-being, harmony, and reconciliation. Here, meta eirénēs signifies a comprehensive farewell blessing. It confirms that their mission to deliver the letter, explain its contents, and strengthen the believers resulted in peace and unity, and that they left under the church's blessing and goodwill, with relationships intact and disputes settled. This "peace" contrasts sharply with the "dissension and dispute" that originally brought the matter to Jerusalem (Acts 15:2).
• from the brethren (apo tōn adelphōn, ἀπὸ τῶν ἀδελφῶν): Specifies the source of the sending and the blessing – the local body of believers in Antioch. This highlights the congregational acceptance of the Jerusalem Council's decision and the strong fraternal bond within the Christian community, which now extends its blessing and official farewell to these representatives. It signifies unified assent.
• unto those who had sent them (pros tous apósteilantas autous, πρὸς τοὺς ἀποστείλαντας αὐτούς): Refers to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem who initially commissioned Judas and Silas to accompany Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:22). This completes the apostolic circuit, emphasizing accountability and the successful reporting back of the mission's outcome. It reinforces the idea of delegated authority and the principle of sending and reporting back, crucial for the coherence of the early church's spread.

Words-group analysis

• "After they had spent some time there": Emphasizes the duration of their ministry and fellowship in Antioch, underscoring that their visit was not merely a quick delivery but involved active participation in building up the local church. This speaks to the depth of communal bond and ministerial effectiveness beyond simply delivering a decree.
• "they were sent back with peace from the brethren": This phrase encapsulates the successful outcome of the Jerusalem Council's decision and the mission of Judas and Silas. "Sent back" denotes an official, authorized, and blessed departure, rather than a casual one. "With peace" signifies the absence of conflict and the presence of goodwill and harmony following the resolution of the earlier doctrinal disputes. It is a profound spiritual benediction from the local church, symbolizing the unity achieved and desired. "From the brethren" underscores that this peace and blessing came from the collective body of believers in Antioch, highlighting the organic, Spirit-led nature of the early church's actions.
• "unto those who had sent them": This clearly defines the intended destination and purpose of their return. It signifies the completion of a delegated mission and the inherent accountability to those who originally dispatched them. This mechanism of sending and reporting back was vital for maintaining communication, unity, and shared understanding across geographically dispersed churches, and for confirming the divine guidance of the whole process.

Acts 15 33 Bonus section

This verse subtly showcases the nascent patterns of apostolic missions and inter-church relations in the early Christian movement. The act of "being sent with peace" was not just a common ancient farewell but took on theological weight within the Christian context. It reflected the shalom of God now made tangible within the believing community, a peace that overcame significant theological dispute and fostered unity. It also prefigures the systematic sending and reporting structure seen throughout Acts, crucial for maintaining coherence as Christianity spread rapidly. The role of individuals like Judas and Silas as personal emissaries who could clarify, persuade, and encourage beyond the written word, reveals the importance of personal presence in church leadership and dispute resolution. Their extended stay points to the emphasis on building relational capital within communities, not just transactional exchanges of information.

Acts 15 33 Commentary

Acts 15:33 serves as a quiet but significant postscript to the tumultuous Jerusalem Council, revealing the early church's operational integrity and its profound commitment to unity and spiritual well-being. The verse highlights not just a departure, but a departure "with peace," signifying that the difficult questions concerning Gentile inclusion had been not only legislatively addressed but pastorally embraced. The staying of Judas and Silas "for some time" underscores the early church's deep commitment to hospitality and thorough ministry; these were not just bureaucratic couriers, but prophets who confirmed the decision of the Council through direct encouragement and fellowship. Their formal "sending back" by "the brethren" implies a corporate blessing and an official conclusion to their delegated task, mirroring their initial commissioning. This meticulous detail demonstrates how theological resolution translated into practical reconciliation and robust fellowship, effectively bridging geographical and theological gaps and demonstrating the Holy Spirit's role in forging unity amidst diversity. It exemplifies proper church order, accountability of messengers, and the vital importance of peace and solidarity within the body of Christ.