Acts 15:13

KJV

And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men [and] brethren, hearken unto me:

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} after {G3326} they had held {G4601} their {G846} peace {G4601}, James {G2385} answered {G611}, saying {G3004}, Men {G435} and brethren {G80}, hearken {G191} unto me {G3450}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Ya‘akov broke the silence to reply. “Brothers,” he said, “hear what I have to say.

Berean Standard Bible

When they had finished speaking, James declared, “Brothers, listen to me!

American Standard Version

And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Brethren, hearken unto me:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 15:13 marks a pivotal moment at the Jerusalem Council, where, following extensive debate and testimonies, James, a respected leader of the Jerusalem church, rises to deliver his authoritative summation and proposed resolution. His intervention, signaled by the assembly's expectant silence and his direct call for attention, underscores the critical nature of the decision regarding Gentile inclusion in the early Christian community and highlights the importance of Spirit-led leadership in navigating theological disputes and preserving church unity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 15:13 is situated at the climax of the Jerusalem Council, a crucial gathering convened to address the contentious issue of whether Gentile converts needed to be circumcised and adhere to the Mosaic Law for salvation. Prior to James's address, the council had heard fervent debate (Acts 15:7a), followed by the powerful testimony of [Peter](/acts/15-7-11 "Peter's Testimony at the Jerusalem Council") recounting God's work among Gentiles through the Holy Spirit, and the detailed report from [Paul and Barnabas](/acts/15-12 "Paul and Barnabas's Report on Gentile Missions") about the signs and wonders God had performed among the Gentiles during their missionary journey. The phrase "after they had held their peace" signifies a deliberate cessation of discussion, creating a dramatic pause that builds anticipation for James's authoritative and decisive pronouncement, which then leads directly into his scripturally-grounded argument and proposed resolution in [Acts 15:14-21](/acts/15-14-21 "James's Judgment and Proposal").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Jerusalem Council (circa 49 AD) was a foundational event for the early church, addressing a schism that threatened to divide Jewish and Gentile believers. The question of circumcision and adherence to the Mosaic Law was not merely theological but deeply cultural, touching upon Jewish identity, covenant membership, and purity laws. James, often identified as James the Just, the brother of Jesus and a prominent leader in the Jerusalem church (cf. [Galatians 2:9](/galatians/2-9 "James, Peter, and John as Pillars")), held a position of immense respect and authority among Jewish Christians. His role as the final speaker, following the testimonies of Peter, Paul, and Barnabas, indicates his preeminent status and the expectation that his judgment would carry significant weight and provide a definitive resolution to the heated debate, thereby preserving the unity of the nascent Christian movement.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several major themes within the book of Acts and the broader New Testament. It highlights the theme of **Authoritative Leadership** within the early church, demonstrating how Spirit-led leaders like James were instrumental in guiding the community through complex theological challenges. The preceding silence and James's call to "hearken" emphasize the theme of **Deliberation and Discernment**, showcasing a process where the church collectively sought God's will through discussion, testimony, and scriptural reflection before arriving at a unified decision. Furthermore, the entire context of [Acts 15](/acts/15 "The Jerusalem Council") underscores the crucial theme of **Inclusion and Unity** within the body of Christ, particularly the radical inclusion of Gentiles into God's people without requiring adherence to all aspects of the Mosaic Law, a decision that affirmed the universal scope of the gospel and prevented a permanent schism between Jewish and Gentile believers.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **peace (Greek, _sigáō'_):** Derived from _sigē_ (silence), this verb means "to keep silent" or "to hold one's peace." In this context, it signifies a deliberate cessation of the preceding fervent debate. It implies a respectful, expectant quietness, indicating that the assembly had concluded their arguments and were now prepared to receive an authoritative judgment or summation, specifically from James.
* **answered (Greek, _apokrínomai'_):** While often meaning "to respond," this verb also functions as a Hebraism, meaning "to begin to speak" in a context where an address is anticipated or a resolution is expected. James's "answering" is not merely a reply to a question but an authoritative intervention to bring the discussion to a conclusion and propose a definitive way forward, signaling his role as the one who would provide the final, decisive word.
* **hearken (Greek, _akoúō'_):** A primary verb meaning "to hear," "to give audience to," or "to listen attentively." James's command, "hearken unto me," is a direct and authoritative call for the assembly's full attention. It emphasizes that what he is about to say is of paramount importance, requiring careful and respectful consideration, as it will shape the future direction and unity of the early church.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And after they had held their peace":** This phrase marks a critical turning point in the Jerusalem Council. It signifies the end of the preceding arguments and testimonies, creating a moment of solemn anticipation. The silence is not merely an absence of noise but a deliberate, respectful quietude, indicating that the assembly had exhausted its initial discussions and was now poised to receive a definitive resolution from a recognized authority.
* **"James answered, saying":** This identifies the speaker and highlights his significant role. James's "answering" is more than a simple reply; it is an authoritative intervention to bring the debate to a conclusion. As a respected leader in the Jerusalem church, his words carried immense weight, and his address was expected to provide the necessary clarity and direction for the contentious issue at hand.
* **"Men and brethren, hearken unto me:":** This is James's direct address to the gathered assembly. "Men and brethren" (_andres adelphoi_) is a common and respectful form of address in the New Testament, emphasizing the communal and familial bond among believers, even amidst profound theological disagreement. The imperative "hearken unto me" is a command for attentive listening, underscoring the gravity and authority of the message James is about to deliver, signaling that his words are not merely another opinion but a decisive judgment.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs several literary devices. The most prominent is **Dramatic Pause**, indicated by "after they had held their peace." This silence serves to heighten the tension and anticipation, setting the stage for James's crucial intervention and emphasizing the weight of his impending words. It creates a moment of collective focus, drawing the audience's attention to the speaker who is about to resolve a significant conflict. James's opening address, "Men and brethren," is an example of **Apostrophe**, a direct address to an absent or present audience, serving to establish rapport and command attention. Furthermore, his command to "hearken unto me" functions as **Foreshadowing**, signaling that the following discourse will be of immense importance and will likely contain the resolution or definitive judgment that the assembly has been awaiting.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 15:13 beautifully illustrates the early church's commitment to Spirit-led discernment and unified decision-making in the face of profound theological disagreement. James's authoritative yet humble approach, following a period of intense discussion and listening to various testimonies, models a process where human wisdom is integrated with divine guidance. This event underscores the theological principle that the Holy Spirit guides the church into truth, not through individual revelation alone, but often through corporate deliberation, respectful listening, and the application of scripture. The ultimate outcome, a decision that prioritized grace and unity over rigid adherence to ceremonial law, reflects the heart of the gospel and the inclusive nature of God's new covenant.

* [Proverbs 11:14](/proverbs/11-14 "Proverbs 11:14 - Wisdom in Counsel")
* [Ephesians 4:3](/ephesians/4-3 "Ephesians 4:3 - Unity of the Spirit")
* [James 1:5](/james/1-5 "James 1:5 - Seeking Wisdom")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 15:13 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers and church leadership. The assembly's "holding their peace" before James spoke highlights the critical importance of patient listening and allowing all voices to be heard in a deliberative process. True spiritual leadership, as exemplified by James, involves not only speaking with authority but also demonstrating the wisdom to listen, synthesize diverse perspectives, and then articulate a Spirit-led path forward. In our own lives and in our church communities, this verse calls us to cultivate an environment where respectful dialogue can flourish, where we prioritize unity in Christ over personal preferences or divisive doctrines, and where we seek God's wisdom collectively to navigate challenges. It reminds us that difficult decisions are best made not in haste or anger, but with prayerful consideration, open hearts, and a commitment to discerning the will of God for the common good of the body of Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I contribute to respectful listening and a spirit of peace in discussions, especially when disagreements arise within my community or church?**
* **In what ways can I emulate James's balance of authority and humble wisdom when faced with opportunities to lead or resolve conflict?**
* **What steps can my church or small group take to foster a greater sense of unity and collective discernment when addressing challenging issues?**

### FAQ
**Who was James in Acts 15, and what was his significance?**

Answer: The James mentioned in Acts 15:13 is widely understood to be James the Just, the brother of Jesus (Galatians 1:19) and a prominent leader, or "pillar," of the Jerusalem church (Galatians 2:9). His significance at the Jerusalem Council was immense because he held a position of high authority and respect among the Jewish Christians. His address in Acts 15:13-21 provided the decisive judgment and proposed a resolution that ultimately unified the early church regarding the inclusion of Gentiles without requiring circumcision, thereby preventing a major schism. His leadership was crucial in bridging the gap between the Jewish and Gentile factions.

**Why was the silence before James spoke so important?**

Answer: The phrase "after they had held their peace" (Acts 15:13) signifies a crucial moment of silence and anticipation. This quietness was important for several reasons: it indicated that the preceding fervent debate had concluded, allowing for a shift from passionate argument to a receptive posture. It created a dramatic pause, highlighting the gravity of the decision at hand and the authority of the speaker who was about to deliver the final word. This collective silence demonstrated a readiness to listen and accept the authoritative judgment that James was about to render, underscoring the seriousness of the theological dispute and the church's desire for a unified resolution.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 15:13, with James's pivotal intervention at the Jerusalem Council, profoundly points to Christ in several ways. The entire debate centered on the means of salvation—whether it was through adherence to the Mosaic Law, including circumcision, or solely through faith in Jesus Christ. James's judgment, which ultimately affirmed the inclusion of Gentiles by grace through faith, without the burden of the Law, directly upholds the sufficiency of Christ's atoning work. His wisdom in synthesizing the testimonies and scripture to guide the church to a unified decision reflects Christ as the ultimate wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:30) and the head of the church (Ephesians 1:22-23). The unity achieved at the council, under James's Spirit-led leadership, foreshadows and fulfills Christ's prayer for His disciples' unity in [John 17:20-23](/john/17-20-23 "Jesus' Prayer for Unity"). By prioritizing grace and the Holy Spirit's testimony over legalistic requirements, the council's decision, spearheaded by James, affirmed that salvation and inclusion in God's family are found exclusively in the finished work of the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), making Him the sole mediator and the foundation of the new covenant community.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 12:17

But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.

Galatians 2:12

For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.

James 1:1

¶ James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

Galatians 2:9

And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we [should go] unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

Acts 7:2

And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,

Acts 22:1

¶ Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence [which I make] now unto you.

Acts 2:14

¶ But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all [ye] that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: