Bible Strands
Acts 15:13
When they had finished speaking, James declared, “Brothers, listen to me!
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — James addresses the assembled believers immediately after Barnabas and Paul conclude their report on Gentile miracles, while the crowd remains quiet. He speaks to the entire council as they transition from testimony to decision.
The words — ἀπεκρίθη (apekrithē) = answered and σιγῆσαι (sigēsai) = being silent. The Greek syntax binds James’s formal response directly to the preceding period of quiet listening.
The thread — The pattern of speaking after silence appears in Acts 12:17, and James’s authoritative role regarding Gentile inclusion recurs in Galatians 2:9 and Galatians 2:12. These references track his consistent function in bridging Jewish and Gentile church boundaries.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to observe that doctrinal clarification follows attentive listening rather than immediate declaration. It models a procedural discipline where authority is exercised only after the community has heard the full report.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:
Cross-references
- Acts 12:17 Peter motioned with his hand for silence, and he described how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. “Send word to James and to the brothers,” he said, and he left for another place.
- Galatians 2:9 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.
- Galatians 2:12 For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself, for fear of those in the circumcision group.
- James 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes of the Dispersion: Greetings.
- Mark 15:40 And there were also women watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome.
- Acts 2:14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, lifted up his voice, and addressed the crowd: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen carefully to my words.
- Acts 2:22 Men of Israel, listen to this message: Jesus of Nazareth was a man certified by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs, which God did among you through Him, as you yourselves know.
- Acts 2:29 Brothers, I can tell you with confidence that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.
- Acts 7:2 And Stephen declared: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran,
- Acts 21:18 The next day Paul went in with us to see James, and all the elders were present.