And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:
And after they had held their peace, James answered. Whether this was James the son of Alphaeus, or James "the Lord's brother," or whether these were one and the same person-see the note at Acts 21:18. At any rate, he occupied the leading position in Jerusalem (Acts 12:17; Acts 21:18); and in that capacity presiding in this assembly, he here sums up and indicates the judgment which he deemed it fitting that the assembly should pronounce, and the course proper to be taken for carrying it out. His decision, though given as his own judgment only, could not but have great weight with the opposing party, from his known conservative reverence for all Jewish usages within the circle of Israelite Christianity.
Saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: