{Sending} (aposteilantes). First aorist active participle
of apostell(935c), coincident action with epoi(8873)an (did). {To the
elders} (pros tous presbuterous). The first use of that term
for the Christian preachers. In  20:17,28  "elders" and "bishops"
are used interchangeably as in  Tit 1:5,7 . The term probably
arose gradually and holds a position in the church similar to the
same term in the synagogue. The apostles were apparently absent
from Jerusalem at this time and they were no longer concerned
with serving tables. In  21:18  Paul presented the later
collection also to the elders. Since Peter and James (till his
death) were in Jerusalem during the persecution in chapter 12 it
is probable that the visit of Barnabas and Saul to Jerusalem came
really after that persecution for Peter left Jerusalem ( 12:17 ).
The elders here mentioned may include the preachers in Judea also
outside of Jerusalem ( 26:20 ).