21:18a

Paul…with us: This phrase probably refers to Paul, Luke (the writer of Acts), and the rest of their traveling companions.

went in…to see James: The Greek words are literally “went in to James.” The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as went in…to see often implies seeing someone in authority. James was the leading elder of the Jerusalem church. For example:

went before James
-or-
went and met with James, ⌊the leader⌋

The Greek word also implies that the meeting was in a building. For example:

went in…to James (Revised Standard Version)

James: This name is spelled Iakōbos in the Greek. This was James, the half-brother of Jesus (Galatians 1:19). He was the leading elder of the Jerusalem church.

21:18b

all the elders were present: This clause indicates that all the elders were there with James.

the elders: The word elders refers to the leaders of the Jerusalem church. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the church elders (Good News Translation)
-or-
all the elders of the Jerusalem church (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
the leaders of the believers
-or-
the overseers of the believers

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