So the men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they assembled the congregation and delivered the letter.
30. When the multitude was gathered. This was the most lawful kind of dealing to admit the whole multitude unto the reading of the epistle. For if there fall out any controversy in the doctrine of faith, it is meet that the judgment be referred over unto the learned and godly, and to such as are exercised in the Scripture; and, chiefly, to the pastors rightly ordained.
The church at Jerusalem sent their own men with Paul and Barnabas not from distrust of these tried servants, but to honor Antioch as a sister-church and to strengthen their hands on the journey. A friend proves better company than any carriage.
AI summary
Commenting on Acts 15:22-35
So when they were dismissed,.... That is, Paul and Barnabas, with Judas and Silas, by the apostles, elders, and church at Jerusalem: they came to Antioch; or "came down to Antioch", as the Alexandrian copy, the Vulgate Latin, and Ethiopic versions read, agreeably to Act 15:1 and when they had gathered the multitude together; the whole church, which consisted of many members; the company, or...