Acts 15:30-35 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

So when they Paul, Barnabas, Judas, and Silas; came to Antioch, they gathered the multitude The private Christians, as well as the elders, and other official members of the church; for as they had all been concerned in sending them they had all a right to be informed of the result of their mission; and delivered the epistle Containing the apostolic decree; which when they had read, they rejoiced Namely, to find that so venerable an assembly as that which had been held at Jerusalem, had concurred with Paul and Barnabas, in vindicating the liberty of the Gentile converts from the yoke of the Mosaic ceremonies. It must be observed, the church at Antioch consisted chiefly of converted proselytes; and their joy would be in proportion to the anxiety and suspense with which they had waited for the apostles' determination. And Judas and Silas The special messengers from Jerusalem thither; being prophets also themselves That is, preachers of the gospel, or teachers in the church; exhorted the brethren with many words Did not only deliver the particular message with which they were charged, but, on the occasion of such a numerous and solemn auditory, each of them discoursed largely on the truths and duties of Christianity, exhorting them to adhere to the gospel they had embraced, and to adorn it by a corresponding conduct; and confirmed them Not only in the belief of their freedom from the law of Moses, as a term of salvation, but in every branch of Christian faith and practice. And after they had continued there a space A competent time; they were let go in peace Were dismissed, doubtless, with earnest prayers for the divine blessing upon them and their labours, and with all possible expressions of kindness and respect unto the apostles, from whom they came. Notwithstanding, it pleased Silas Who, it seems, had formed an intimate friendship with Paul; to abide there still To continue a while longer than his companion Judas, who had come with him from Jerusalem. Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch It is probable that it was during this time Peter came to Antioch; and, after having conversed for some time freely with the Gentile Christians, separated himself from them, on the arrival of some Jewish zealots from Jerusalem, according to the account given Galatians 2:11, &c., where see the notes.