Commentaries:
Adam Clarke
After this I will return, and will build again, etc. - These two verses, 16th and 17th, are quoted from Amos 9:11, Amos 9:12, nearly as they now stand in the best editions of the Septuagint, and evidently taken from that version, which differs considerably from the Hebrew text. As St. James quoted them as a prophecy of the calling of the Gentiles into the Church of God, it is evident the Jews must have understood them in that sense, otherwise they would have immediately disputed his application of them to the subject in question, and have rejected his conclusion by denying the premises. But that the words were thus understood by the ancient Jews, we have their own testimony. In Sanhedr. fol. 69, we have these remarkable words: "Rabbi Nachman said to Rabbi Isaac, ' Whence art thou taught when Bar Naphli will come?' He saith unto him, ' Who is this Bar Naphli?' The other replied, ' He is the Messiah.' ' Dost thou then call the Messiah Bar Naphli?' ' Yes,' said he, ' for it is written, In that day I will build again the tabernacle of David, Hanopheleth , which is falling down.' " This is evidently a quotation from Amos 9:11, and a proof that the Jews understood it to be a prophecy concerning the Messiah. See Lightfoot.
Other Adam Clarke entries containing Acts 15:16:
Acts 12:17
Acts 21:25
Galatians 1:19
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