Acts 15:34

New Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Acts 15:34 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “[But it seemed good unto Silas to abide there.]” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

[But it seemed good unto Silas to abide there.]
Acts 15:34 — American Standard Version

Context — Acts 15

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
34[But it seemed good unto Silas to abide there.]

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still, etc.] Though he had leave to go, and was actually dismissed with Judas; and doubtless intended to have gone with him, but for some reason or another he changed his mind, and thought fit to continue at Antioch some time longer: and the design of Providence in it seems to have been this; that he might be a companion with the Apostle Paul in his travels among the Gentiles, as he afterwards was, and was very useful to him. This verse is wanting in the Alexandrian copy, and in the Syriac and Arabic versions; the Ethiopic version reads, “and Paul proposed”, or “determined to abide”, as he did some little time longer, as appears from the…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“it pleased Silas--Silas determined. to abide there still--(The authorities against the insertion of this verse are strong. It may have been afterwards added to explain Act 15:40). Doubtless the attraction to Antioch for Silas was Paul's presence there, to whom he seems to have now formed that permanent attachment which the sequel of this book and Paul's Epistles show to have existed.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Notwithstanding ... - This whole verse is missing in many mss.; in the Syriac, Arabic, and Coptic versions; and is regarded as spurious by Mill, Griesbach, and by other critics. It was probably introduced by some early transcriber, who judged it necessary to complete the narrative. The Latin Vulgate reads, “It seemed good to Silas to remain, but Judas went alone to Jerusalem.” return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“it pleased: Act 11:25, Act 11:26, Act 18:27; Co1 16:12 Acts 15:35”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification