Sending (aposteilantes). First aorist active participle of apostellō, coincident action with epoiēsan (did).
To the elders (pros tous presbuterous). The first use of that term for the Christian preachers. In Act 20:17, Act 20:28 “elders” and “bishops” are used interchangeably as in Tit 1:5, Tit 1:7. 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 Act 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 Act 12:1 it is probable that the visit of Barnabas and Saul to Jerusalem came really after that persecution for Peter left Jerusalem (Act 12:17). The elders here mentioned may include the preachers in Judea also outside of Jerusalem (Act 26:20).