Charles Ellicott Commentary Acts 15:13

"And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Brethren, hearken unto me:" — Acts 15:13 (ASV)

James answered. The position which James the brother of the Lord (see Notes on Acts 12:17; Matthew 13:55) occupies in the Council is clearly that of pre-eminence, justifying the title of Bishop of Jerusalem, which later writers give him. No one speaks after him; he sums up the whole debate; he proposes the decree which is to be submitted to the Council for approval.