Verse 12
12. Kept silence Hushed, not from the tumult of debate, as some commentators think; nor by the power of Peter’s speech, as others; but hushed from eager expectation of what the Antiochian ambassadors will say, and held silent by the thrilling interest of their narrative. Barnabas here, by local propriety, takes precedence, as also in the letter of the Council, (Acts 15:25,) just as James takes precedence of Peter in Galatians 2:9. Yet it no doubt is true that Jerusalem never so expanded her soul as to take in the greatness of Paul’s apostolate.
Miracles and wonders The tale of these two hardy itinerants could not but possess all the novelty and power of romance to their listening ears. For a brief hour, at least, they stood upon the high platform of Jesus Himself, and their horizon extended into the breadth of his commission, “Go into all the world.” For a moment they realized that Christianity was to become a universal religion by shedding Judaism from its back.
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