Acts 15:33

And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(33) Unto the apostles.—The better MSS. have simply, “to those that had sent them,” and omit Acts 15:34, which was probably added by a later copyist to explain the fact mentioned in Acts 15:40.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

15:22-35 Being warranted to declare themselves directed by the immediate influence of the Holy Ghost, the apostles and disciples were assured that it seemed good unto God the Holy Spirit, as well as to them, to lay upon the converts no other burden than the things before mentioned, which were necessary, either on their own account, or from present circumstances. It was a comfort to hear that carnal ordinances were no longer imposed on them, which perplexed the conscience, but could not purify or pacify it; and that those who troubled their minds were silenced, so that the peace of the church was restored, and that which threatened division was removed. All this was consolation for which they blessed God. Many others were at Antioch. Where many labour in the word and doctrine, yet there may be opportunity for us: the zeal and usefulness of others should stir us up, not lay us asleep.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

A space - For some time.

They were let go in peace - An expression implying that they departed with the affectionate regard of the Christians to whom they had ministered, and with their highest wishes for their prosperity, 1 Corinthians 16:11; 2 John 1:10.

Unto the apostles - At Jerusalem. Many mss., however, instead of "unto the apostles," read "unto those who had sent them." The sense is not materially different.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

33. were let go in peace—with peace, as the customary parting salutation.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

A space; a competent time; some make this space to be a year.

They were let go in peace; they were dismissed with earnest prayers for them; for by peace is meant all kind of good, which they desired for them, as Matthew 10:13.

Unto the apostles; such of them as were at Jerusalem, who also had sent them.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And after they had tarried there a space,.... How long is not certain; the Arabic version renders it "a year"; and it is probable enough, they might stay there so long, till things were thoroughly settled, which were thrown into great disorder and confusion, by the pleaders for circumcision:

they were let go in peace; that is, they were dismissed, and went away with the leave and consent of the church; who returned them thanks for the service and good offices they had done them, and wished them all peace, prosperity, and happiness, both in soul and body, and great success in their ministrations wherever they went: and as they were dismissed in peace, they left the church in perfect peace; an end being put to the controversy about circumcision, which was raised among them; and the members of the church being agreed in their sentiments, and heartily united in their affections to one another: and thus Judas and Silas were honourably dismissed

from the brethren, at Antioch,

to the Apostles, at Jerusalem; the Alexandrian copy, and Beza's ancient copy, the Vulgate Latin, and Ethiopic versions, read, "to them that sent them"; and so include, with the apostles, the elders, and brethren at Jerusalem, who wrote the letter to the church at Antioch, and sent it by them; and it was proper that they should return to them, and give them an account of the success of it, how it was received, and what good it had done.

Geneva Study Bible

And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in {q} peace from the brethren unto the apostles.

(q) This is a Hebrew idiom, which is the same as saying, as the brethren wished them all prosperous success, and the church dismissed them with good leave.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Meyer's NT Commentary

Acts 15:33-35. Ποιεῖν χρόνον to spend a time, Dem. 392. 18. See Wetstein and Jacobs, ad Anthol. II. 3, p. 44; also Schaefer, ad Bos. Ell. p. 413.

μετʼ εἰρήνης] i.e. so that welfare (שָׁלוֹם) was bidden to accompany them, amidst good wishes. A reference to the formula of parting: πορεύου or ὕπαγε εἰς εἰρήνην, or ἐν εἰρήνῃ (Acts 16:36; Mark 5:34; Luke 7:50; Luke 8:48; Jam 2:16).

The καί between διδάσκ. and εὐαγγ.[44] is epexegetical.

τὸν λόγ. τοῦ Κυρ.] see on Acts 8:25.

At this period, Acts 15:35, occurs the encounter of Paul with Peter (Galatians 2:11 ff.). The quite summary statement, Acts 15:35, makes the non-mention of this particular incident intelligible enough, and therefore there is no reason for the fiction that Luke desired, by the narrative of the strife between Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:37 ff.), merely to mask the far more important difference between him and Peter (Schrader, Schneckenburger, Baur). This passing and temporary offence had its importance in the special interest of the Epistle to the Galatians, but not in the general historical interest of Luke, which was concerned, on the other hand, with the separation of Paul and Barnabas and of their working. The objections of Wieseler to the assumed coincidence of time (on Galatians 2:11) have little weight. In particular, the indefinite statements of time, Acts 15:33; Acts 15:35-36, allow space enough.

As to the spuriousness of Acts 15:34, see on Acts 15:40.

[44] The added μετὰ καὶ ἑτέρ. πολλῶν, with yet many others, shows how very great the field of labour at Antioch was.

Expositor's Greek Testament

Acts 15:33. ποιήσαντες δὲ χρόνον, cf. Acts 18:23, and Acts 20:3, only in Acts in N.T., cf. 2 Corinthians 11:25, Jam 4:13. For the phrase both in LXX and classical Greek (so in Latin), see Wetstein, Blass, Grimm. In LXX cf. Proverbs 13:23, Ecclesiastes 6:12 (Tob 10:7), so Hebrew עָשַׂה.—μετʼ εἰρήνης: exact phrase only Hebrews 11:31 in N.T.; in LXX several times; in Apocryha, in 1 and 3 Macc.—πρὸς τοὺς ἀποσ.: but if as in R.V., “unto those that had sent them” (see critical notes and Hort, Ecclesia, p. 73), i.e., the whole synod at Jerusalem, not only the Apostles.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

33. they were let go in peace] This is the translation of a Hebrew expression, and does not signify ‘they were allowed to go quietly away,’ but “in peace” means “with a blessing or prayer for peace, as a parting word.”

unto the apostles] The oldest MSS. read “unto those that had sent them forth.” So R. V.

Bengel's Gnomen

Acts 15:33. Ἀπελύθησαν, they were dismissed [let go]) after having executed their instructions.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 33. - Spent some time there for tarried there a space, A.V. (see Acts 18:23; Acts 20:3; James 4:13); dismissed for let go, A.V. those that had sent them forth for the apostles, A.V. and T.R. Acts 15:33