Who were the men who came down from Judea to Antioch in Acts 15:1?
Acts 15:1 identifies them only as certain men who came down from Judea to Antioch. The context describes them as coming from Jerusalem, as emissaries of the Twelve, teaching Gentile believers that unless they were circumcised after the manner of Moses they could not be saved.
Les explains that Luke, the historian, is writing the account, not Paul. These certain men came down from Judea to Antioch, where Paul and Barnabas had been ministering primarily among Gentiles. They came from Jerusalem and taught the brethren that except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. Les says they came with authority as emissaries of the Twelve, and this is what Paul was up against. He even acknowledges that many may dislike his placing Peter, James, and John alongside a lot of these Judaizers. Later, in Acts 15:5, Pharisees who believed also insisted that Gentile converts be circumcised and keep the law of Moses, a teaching the Galatian believers were falling for.
And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
More Questions
Where did the men of Acts 15:1 come from and where did they go?
The 'certain men' of Acts 15:1 came down from Judea to Antioch, the city where Paul and Barnabas had been ministering primarily among Gentiles.