Acts 15:4

4 And being arrived at Jerusalem, they were received by the assembly, and the apostles, and the elders, and related all that God had wrought with them.

Acts 15:4 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 15:4

And when they were come to Jerusalem
Paul and Barnabas, and the rest that came from Antioch with them:

they were received of the church;
that is, that was at Jerusalem, in a very kind and respectful manner; they were received into their houses, and accommodated with everything convenient for them:

and of the apostles;
particularly James, and Cephas, and John, who gave to Paul and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, in token of their approbation of them, affection for them, and agreement with them:

and elders:
the other ministers of the Gospel who preached in that place:

and they declared all things that God had done with them:
just as they did to the church at Antioch, when they returned from their travels, (See Gill on Acts 14:27), the Arabic version here adds, as there, "and that God had opened to the Gentiles the door of faith."

Acts 15:4 In-Context

2 A commotion therefore having taken place, and no small discussion on the part of Paul and Barnabas against them, they arranged that Paul and Barnabas, and certain others from amongst them, should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question.

3 They therefore, having been set on their way by the assembly, passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, relating the conversion of [those of] the nations. And they caused great joy to all the brethren.

4 And being arrived at Jerusalem, they were received by the assembly, and the apostles, and the elders, and related all that God had wrought with them.

5 And some of those who were of the sect of the Pharisees, who believed, rose up from among [them], saying that they ought to circumcise them and enjoin them to keep the law of Moses.

6 And the apostles and the elders were gathered together to see about this matter.

Footnotes

• [a]. 'Received gladly,' or 'with welcome:' see Luke 8.40.