Acts 15:12

Authorized King James Version

Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
Ἐσίγησεν
kept silence
to keep silent (transitively or intransitively)
#2
δὲ
Then
but, and, etc
#3
πᾶν
all
all, any, every, the whole
#4
τὸ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#5
πλῆθος
the multitude
a fulness, i.e., a large number, throng, populace
#6
καὶ
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#7
ἤκουον
gave audience
to hear (in various senses)
#8
Βαρναβᾶ
to Barnabas
son of nabas (i.e., prophecy); barnabas, an israelite
#9
καὶ
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#10
Παύλου
Paul
(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle
#11
ἐξηγουμένων
declaring
to consider out (aloud), i.e., rehearse, unfold
#12
ὅσα
what
as (much, great, long, etc.) as
#13
ἐποίησεν
had wrought
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
#14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#15
θεὸς
God
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
#16
σημεῖα
miracles
an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally
#17
καὶ
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#18
τέρατα
wonders
a prodigy or omen
#19
ἐν
among
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#20
τοῖς
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#21
ἔθνεσιν
the Gentiles
a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)
#22
δι'
by
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
#23
αὐτῶν
them
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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