¹⁵After these days we got ready and started on our way up to Jerusalem. ¹⁶Some of the disciples from Caesarea also came with us, taking us to Mnason of Cyprus, a disciple of long standing with whom we were to lodge. ¹⁷After we arrived in Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. ¹⁸And the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. ¹⁹After he had greeted them, he began to relate one by one the things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. ²⁰And when they heard it they began glorifying God . . .

Since at least Philippi (see Acts 20:6), Luke had been part of the company traveling with Paul, evidenced by his use of “we” in these chapters. Luke’s presence with the company may explain the authenticating details that otherwise might have been left out. The entourage had grown to include some believers from Caesarea. Apparently word had already spread of Paul’s coming and his intentions, as there was a welcome reception awaiting him there. One fellow by the name of Mnason had earned a reputation among the believers in Jerusalem, and it was in his home the group lodged for the night.

Jesus’ half-brother James remained a significant influence in Jerusalem—he had served as spokesman in articulating the consensus of the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15, and Paul had named him, along with the apostles Peter and John, as one of the “pillars” of the church there (Gal. 2:9). By this point, Peter and John were no longer there in Jerusalem, only James—and it was to be Paul’s first meeting after his first night’s rest.

The meeting must have been large, for it included Paul’s traveling company of at least nine (including those who had left Philippi with Paul in Acts 20:4), plus those who joined him from Caesarea, James, and “all the elders” at the Jerusalem church. The number could easily have exceeded twenty or thirty. The description of the greeting was not recorded for us to enjoy and appreciate, but there seems to have been a warmth, just as Paul had experienced in every stop on his return to Jerusalem. And then he began his report.

There had been three long, hard mission trips among the Gentiles since Acts 15, when Paul and Barnabas had convinced the Jewish church in Jerusalem that God was indeed accepting the Gentiles through their faith in Jesus Christ, apart from the Law of Moses and circumcision. The focus of Paul’s report was not on his missional activity, but on all God had done. What rejoicing there must have been! They couldn’t help but talk about how great God was.

Lord, I praise You for all You have saved, who have become Your disciples.