(The Lord speaking is red text)
So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:
The messengers were sent off and went to Antioch, where they gathered the group together and delivered the letter.
So the men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they assembled the congregation and delivered the letter.
So they, when they were dismissed, came down to Antioch; and having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle.
So{G3303}{G3767} when they were dismissed{G630}, they came{G2064} to{G1519} Antioch{G490}: and{G2532} when they had gathered{G4863} the multitude{G4128} together{G4863}, they delivered{G1929} the epistle{G1992}:
Acts 15:30 is a verse that captures a pivotal moment in the early Christian Church as it addresses the growing pains of a rapidly expanding and diversifying religious movement. The historical context of this verse is rooted in the Jerusalem Council, which was a meeting of the early Church leaders in Jerusalem, as described in Acts 15. The central issue at hand was whether Gentile converts to Christianity were required to follow Jewish law, particularly circumcision, to be saved.
In the verse, the pronoun "they" refers to Judas (also called Barsabbas) and Silas, who were leaders in the early Church, along with Paul and Barnabas. These men had been sent by the Council to Antioch, a major city in the Roman Empire and a significant hub for early Christianity, to convey the decision of the Jerusalem Council. The Council had decided that Gentile believers did not need to be circumcised or fully convert to Judaism, a ruling that was a monumental step in the separation of Christianity from its Jewish roots and allowed for the inclusion of non-Jews into the Church without the imposition of the Mosaic Law.
Upon their arrival in Antioch, Judas, Silas, Paul, and Barnabas gathered the community of believers to share the Council's decision. They delivered an epistle, which was likely the official communication from the apostles and elders in Jerusalem, detailing the consensus and providing guidance on the matter. This letter would have been an authoritative directive, offering both reassurance and instruction to the Gentile Christians in Antioch and other regions, ensuring unity and clarifying the essentials of the faith.
The themes of Acts 15:30 include the early Church's struggle with religious identity, the role of Jewish law in Christian life, the importance of apostolic authority and church leadership, and the inclusive nature of the Gospel message. This verse underscores the significance of communication and unity within the early Christian community as it navigated doctrinal disputes and sought to maintain the integrity of its message across cultural and ethnic boundaries. The decision recorded in Acts 15:30 was instrumental in shaping the universal nature of Christianity and its appeal to a wide and diverse audience beyond its Jewish origins.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)