About - Acts 15:34

Answer from Rev. Dr. Emmanuel James.

Question:

Why there is no ‘Bible Verse’ for Acts 15:  34- In the Bible?

-Edwin James

Answer:

Acts 15:34: "But it seemed good unto Silas to abide there.”  This 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 scribe 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."

It seems that this verse not a part of the original text (it is omitted or placed in the margin in New English Bible,  Moffatt, Good speed, Phillips, Barclay).  This verse 34 was added by some scribe on the assumption that verse 40 makes it impossible to conclude that Paul went to Jerusalem to get Silas or sent a message for him to come to Antioch. However, this assumption is without foundation, and the addition of verse 34 contradicts the plain meaning of verse 33. (from the UBS Handbook Series.  Copyright (c) 1961-1997, by United Bible Societies). This verse is not in the Revised Version or in the text of Westcott and Hort, being absent from 'Aleph, A, B, the Vulgate, etc. It is clearly an addition to help explain the fact that Silas is back in Antioch in Acts 15:40. But the "some days" of Acts 15:36 afforded abundant time for him to return from Jerusalem. He and Judas went first to Jerusalem to make a report of their mission. (from Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1997 by Biblesoft & Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament. Copyright (c) 1985 by Broadman Press).

 “But it seemed good unto Silas to abide there” (edoxe de Silai epimeinai autou). This verse is not in the Revised Version or in the text of Westcott and Hort, being absent from Aleph A B Vulgate, etc. It is clearly an addition to help explain the fact that Silas is back in Antioch in verse 40.