Discovery BoxActs 13:15 
Context13:15 After the reading from the law and the prophets, 1 the leaders of the synagogue 2 sent them a message, 3 saying, “Brothers, 4 if you have any message 5 of exhortation 6 for the people, speak it.” 7
Acts 15:22
Context15:22 Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided 8 to send men chosen from among them, Judas called Barsabbas and Silas, 9 leaders among the brothers, to Antioch 10 with Paul and Barnabas.
1 sn After the reading from the law and the prophets. In the 1st century Jewish synagogue, it was customary after the reading of the Torah (law) and prophets for men to give exhortation from the scriptures.
2 tn Normally ἀρχισυνάγωγος (arcisunagwgo") refers to the “president of a synagogue” (so BDAG 139 s.v. and L&N 53.93). Since the term is plural here, however, and it would sound strange to the English reader to speak of “the presidents of the synagogue,” the alternative translation “leaders” is used. “Rulers” would also be acceptable, but does not convey quite the same idea.
3 tn Grk “sent to them”; the word “message” is an understood direct object. Direct objects in Greek were often omitted when clear from the context, but must be supplied for the modern English reader.
4 tn Grk “Men brothers,” but this is both awkward and unnecessary in English.
5 tn Or “word.”
6 tn Or “encouragement.”
7 tn Or “give it.”
8 tn BDAG 255 s.v. δοκέω 2.b.β lists this verse under the meaning “it seems best to me, I decide, I resolve.”
9 sn Silas. See 2 Cor 1:19; 1 Thess 1:1; 2 Thess 1:1 (= Silvanus).
10 sn Antioch was a city in Syria (not Antioch in Pisidia).
