Acts 15:13 Meaning and Explanation
“And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →When Barnabas and Paul finish speaking, James addresses the council and asks the brethren to hear him.
What Does Acts 15:13 Mean?
When the testimonies end, James speaks — the James known as the brother of the Lord (Galatians 1:19), by now a pillar of the Jerusalem church (Galatians 2:9) and a man honored for his devotion to the law and to prayer. If anyone might be expected to side with the strict party, it is he.
That is what makes his opening so weighty. The room leans in to hear whether testimony and Scripture have persuaded the most law-honoring leader among them, and his verdict will carry the day. God often grants the decisive word to a voice both sides trust. The call of James — 'men and brethren, hearken unto me' — invites not partisanship but a careful, listening judgment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 15:13
What does Acts 15:13 mean?
When Barnabas and Paul finish speaking, James addresses the council and asks the brethren to hear him.