Acts 15:12
What does Acts 15:12 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 15:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 15:12 means
The entire gathering fell silent, giving space for Barnabas and Paul to report the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through their ministry. Miracles served as God’s endorsement of the gospel they preached, showing that He was at work outside the bounds of the law and circumcision. The testimony reinforced that Gentile faith bore the same divine fingerprints as Jewish faith. The assembly’s silence indicates reverence and attentiveness, letting God’s deeds speak. This experiential proof, paired with Peter’s argument, readies the council to seek a biblical framework that explains and guides what the Spirit is doing.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And all the multitude kept silence; and they hearkened unto Barnabas and Paul rehearsing what signs and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles through them.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And all the multitude kept silence; and they hearkened unto Barnabas and Paul rehearsing what signs and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles through them.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And all the people were quiet while Barnabas and Paul gave an account of the signs and wonders which God had done among the Gentiles by them.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And all the multitude did keep silence, and were hearkening to Barnabas and Paul, declaring as many signs and wonders as God did among the nations through them;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And all the multitude held their peace: and they heard Barnabas and Paul telling what great signs and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And all the multitude kept silence and listened to Barnabas and Paul relating all the signs and wonders whichGod had wrought among the nations by them.
Context
After Peter’s confession of grace, the council listens to further corroboration from the mission field. The focus stays on what God has done, not on human ingenuity. This prepares for James’s role in providing scriptural confirmation. He will link the reports to prophetic promises, ensuring that practice is governed by Scripture even as Scripture interprets current experience. The next verse introduces James’s address.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 15:4
And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church and the apostles and the elders, and they rehearsed all things that God had done with them.
- Acts 14:27
And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all things that God had done with them, and that he had opened a door of faith unto the Gentiles.
- John 4:48
Jesus therefore said unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will in no wise believe.
- Acts 21:19
And when he had saluted them, he rehearsed one by one the things which God had wrought among the Gentiles through his ministry.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Acts 15
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Acts 15.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About the Grace of God
Understanding God's grace helps us grasp His unconditional love and our salvation through faith in Christ.
Topic
Bible Verses About God's Omniscience
God's omniscience means He knows all things in the past, present, and future, including every detail of our lives
Topic
Bible Verses About Doctrinal Reconciliation
Our Heavenly Father is a God of reconciliation, desiring to bring all things back into alignment with His perfect will and purpose.
What the Bible says about…