We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.

ACTS 15:27KJV
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Acts 15:27 (KJV)

What does Acts 15:27 mean?

Acts 15:27 says that Judas and Silas are being sent to personally deliver the same message that was written in a letter, so the recipients will hear the decision directly from trusted people. This shows the importance of confirming important news both in writing and face-to-face.

The leaders in Jerusalem are sending Judas and Silas to the believers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia after a disagreement about whether Gentile Christians must follow Jewish law. By sending these men along with the letter, the leaders want to make sure there is no confusion and that the message is trusted, since Judas and Silas can answer questions and explain things in person.

The Greek behind Acts 15:27

  • στόμα (stoma, "mouth") is not tagged, but the phrase "by mouth" in Greek often means "spoken directly." This highlights that Judas and Silas are not just messengers, but eyewitnesses who can explain and confirm the message personally.
  • ἀπαγγέλλω (apangelō, "tell") is tagged as G518. This word often means to report or announce with authority. It suggests Judas and Silas are not just repeating words, but officially delivering a decision from the Jerusalem leaders.

Why Acts 15:27 matters

  • Acts 15:27 shows the care the early church took to communicate clearly and avoid misunderstandings, especially on important issues that could divide believers.
  • The verse highlights the trust placed in Judas and Silas, showing that personal testimony was valued alongside written communication.
  • This verse connects to the wider passage about the Jerusalem Council, emphasizing unity and the effort to keep the growing church on the same page despite cultural differences.

Where else these words appear

“Silas” Greek G4609 · used in 13 verses

  • Acts 15:22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:
  • Acts 16:19 And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,
  • Acts 17:10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

“Judas” Greek G2455 · used in 41 verses

  • Matthew 1:2 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;
  • Luke 3:30 Which was the son of Simeon, which was the son of Juda, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Jonan, which was the son of Eliakim,
  • John 18:3 Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.

“shall” Greek G518 · used in 44 verses

  • Matthew 2:8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
  • Luke 8:20 And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee.
  • Acts 11:13 And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;

“sent” Greek G649 · used in 130 verses

  • Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
  • Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
  • John 17:8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.