Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Acts 15:3

"They therefore, being brought on their way by the church, passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren." — Acts 15:3 (ASV)

As the delegation from Antioch journeyed to Jerusalem, they told the believers in Phoenicia and Samaria the news of “the conversion of the Gentiles.” The Phoenician and Samaritan Christians, being themselves converts of the Hellenists’ mission after Stephen’s martyrdom (cf. 8:4–25; 11:19), probably took a broader view than that which prevailed at Jerusalem and rejoiced at the news. Believers at Jerusalem also were interested, but their interest by no means involved whole-hearted approval.