Acts 15:13
What does Acts 15:13 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 15:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 15:13 means
When the reports concluded, James, the respected leader in Jerusalem, addressed the assembly and asked for attention. His role signals order and pastoral care. He will weigh the testimonies just heard and then lead the council to a conclusion grounded in Scripture. His approach shows that the church’s authority rests not in force of personality but in the Word rightly applied to the Spirit’s work. James’s measured voice balances zeal for mission with fidelity to God’s promises, moving from narrative (what God has done) to exegesis (what God has said) and finally to wise application.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Brethren, hearken unto me:
KJV
King James Version · 1611And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Brethren, hearken unto me:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And when they had come to an end, James, answering, said, My brothers, give ear to me:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and after they are silent, James answered, saying, `Men, brethren, hearken to me;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying: Men, brethren, hear me.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Brethren, listen to me:
Context
This verse marks a transition from testimony to interpretation. James, likely chairing the council, will affirm Peter’s account and connect it to the prophetic hope. His leadership brings the debate to resolution without silencing Scripture or the Spirit. In the next verses, he cites the prophets, particularly a passage about rebuilding David’s fallen tent and the inclusion of Gentiles who bear God’s name.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Mark 15:40
And there were also women beholding from afar: among whom were both Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;
- 1 Corinthians 14:30
But if a revelation be made to another sitting by, let the first keep silence.
- Acts 7:2
And he said, Brethren and fathers, hearken: The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran,
- Acts 2:14
But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spake forth unto them, saying, Ye men of Judæa, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and give ear unto my words.
- Acts 2:22
Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God unto you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him in the midst of you, even as ye yourselves know;
- Galatians 2:9
and when they perceived the grace that was given unto me, James and Cephas and John, they who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship, that we should go unto the Gentiles, and they unto the circumcision;
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