But it seemed good unto Silas to remain there: and Judas alone departed to Jerusalem.
3 Church Fathers comment on this verse
After staying in Antioch for some time, Judas returned to Jerusalem, while Silas remained there. Soon afterward he took part in the second preaching journey of the Apostle Paul. Paul and Barnabas lived there as members of the Church of Antioch, as her teachers and preachers. Together with many others, they labored in teaching and preaching the word of the Lord.
“But it seemed good to Silas,” and so forth: this entire verse is absent from many ancient manuscripts, and Saint Chrysostom did not read it. Yet what is said in it is undoubtedly true. We do in fact soon see Silas in Antioch, from where he departs with Paul on a new journey to the Gentiles (verse 40; cf. verse 36). Judas, however, is no longer mentioned here.
The return of those who had been sent did not take place at once. They probably visited some of the nearer places around Antioch, that is, in Syria, and supervised the delivery of the epistle to Cilicia.
Then Judas returned to Jerusalem. Silas even decided to remain there, in order to share the great labors of Paul and Barnabas. They continued to preach the Gospel there as before, assisted by many, since the harvest was plainly great.
According to Saint John Chrysostom, "Paul and Barnabas in Antioch taught what was needed both for believers and for those not yet believing. There were many scandals, and therefore their presence was necessary."
"And see their humility: they teach the word together with others."
"They were all sent away by the brethren in peace, probably after a solemn church assembly of the Antiochian brethren. In peace means with a feeling of peace in their souls after the disturbance had been pacified, and with good wishes of peace for those departing."
What is said about Judas is absent from many Greek texts, but it is found in certain variant readings noted by Reineccius.
THEOSIS