Acts 15:12

The multitude. That is, the assembled group (see on v. 6).

Kept silence. In response to Peter’s convincing testimony, there were no dissenting voices. Opposition was silenced, even if all minds were not changed. Peter had had his prejudices overcome in the matter of Cornelius; now he had overcome the prejudices of others.

Gave audience. Up to this point Paul and Barnabas apparently had not spoken at length to the assembly. Now Peter’s speech had prepared the audience to listen to them narrate the remarkable events of the First Missionary Journey. The two missionaries repeated publicly what they already had told the apostles and elders (v. 4).

Miracles and wonders. Or, “signs and wonders” (see Vol. V, p. 208). In view of the questionings of some of those present, doubtless Barnabas and Paul stressed the miraculous phase of their work as an attestation of God’s acceptance of the results. Their report showed that miracles had been worked among the Gentiles as well as among the Jews.