And so they were sent on their journey. Upon their arrival in Antioch they called the assembly together and delivered the letter. 31 When the people read it, they were delighted with the exhortation. 32 Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, exhorted and strengthened the brothers with many words. 33 After they had spent some time there, they were sent off with greetings of peace from the brothers to those who had commissioned them. [34] 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and proclaiming with many others the word of the Lord.
When the delegation, including Paul, Barnabas, Judas, and Silas, arrived in Antioch, they called the assembly together and presented the letter from the Jerusalem Council. The Antioch community was filled with joy and encouragement when they read the letter because it did not impose the burden of the Mosaic Law on them and affirmed their inclusion in the Christian community. Judas and Silas, identified as prophets, played a vital role in the early Church. Their exhortations and words of encouragement helped strengthen the faith and resolve of the believers, ensuring that the Jerusalem Council's decisions were not just accepted but also deeply understood and integrated into their lives.
Judas and Silas spent considerable time nurturing the community in Antioch. The community gave them a formal and respectful ‘send-off’ similar to the one described in Acts 13:2-3, with a customary farewell blessing of greetings of peace. This blessing included wishes for tranquility, well-being, unity, and fellowship in Christ, and was directed to the Jerusalem church. Verse 34 "But Silas decided to remain there," is omitted in some manuscripts, including the NABRE. Differences in the manuscripts illustrate how the text of the New Testament was developed and passed down over time. Paul and Barnabas continued their ministry in Antioch, with many others joining them in proclaiming the word of the Lord.
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the Holy Spirit’s guidance of the early church and the unity of Jewish and Gentile Christians. Grant us the same spirit of peace and encouragement that the apostles and spiritual leaders brought to the early church. May we also proclaim Your word with joy and strengthen our communities in faith and love. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
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Sources:
- Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.
- Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
- Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
- Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
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