Acts11
New King James Version
1Now the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
2And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contended with him,
3saying, “You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!”
4But Peter explained it to them in order from the beginning, saying:
5“I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object descending like a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came to me.
6When I observed it intently and considered, I saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air.
7And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’
8But I said, ‘Not so, Lord! For nothing common or unclean has at any time entered my mouth.’
9But the voice answered me again from heaven, ‘What God has cleansed you must not call common.’
10Now this was done three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven.
11At that very moment, three men stood before the house where I was, having been sent to me from Caesarea.
12Then the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house.
13And he told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house, who said to him, ‘Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter,
14who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved.’
15And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning.
16Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’
17If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?”
18When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”
19Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only.
20But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus.
21And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.
22Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch.
23When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord.
24For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.
25Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul.
26And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
27And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch.
28Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar.
29Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea.
30This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Acts 11.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Peter's defence. (1–18). The success of the gospel at Antioch. (19–24). The disciples named Christians, Relief sent to Judea. (25–30).
vv1-18
The imperfect state of human nature strongly appears, when godly persons are displeased even to hear that the word of God has been received, because their own system has not been attended to. And we are too apt to despair of doing good to those who yet, when tried, prove very teachable. It is the bane and damage of the church, to shut out those from it, and from the benefit of the means of grace, who are not in every thing as we are. Peter stated the whole affair. We should at all times bear with the infirmities of our brethren; and instead of taking offence, or answering with warmth, we should explain our motives, and show the nature of our proceedings. That preaching is certainly right, with which the Holy Ghost is given. While men are very zealous for their own regulations, they should take care that they do not withstand God; and those who love the Lord will glorify him, when made sure that he has given repentance to life to any fellow-sinners. Repentance is God's gift; not only his free grace accepts it, but his mighty grace works it in us, grace takes away the heart of stone, and gives us a heart of flesh. The sacrifice of God is a broken spirit.
vv19-24
The first preachers of the gospel at Antioch, were dispersed from Jerusalem by persecution; thus what was meant to hurt the church, was made to work for its good. The wrath of man is made to praise God. What should the ministers of Christ preach, but Christ? Christ, and him crucified? Christ, and him glorified? And their preaching was accompanied with the Divine power. The hand of the Lord was with them, to bring that home to the hearts and consciences of men, which they could but speak to the outward ear. They believed; they were convinced of the truth of the gospel. They turned from a careless, carnal way of living, to live a holy, heavenly, spiritual life. They turned from worshipping God in show and ceremony, to worship him in the Spirit and in truth. They turned to the Lord Jesus, and he became all in all with them. This was the work of conversion wrought upon them, and it must be wrought upon every one of us. It was the fruit of their faith; all who sincerely believe, will turn to the Lord, When the Lord Jesus is preached in simplicity, and according to the Scriptures, he will give success; and when sinners are thus brought to the Lord, really good men, who are full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, will admire and rejoice in the grace of God bestowed on them. Barnabas was full of faith; full of the grace of faith, and full of the fruits of the faith that works by love.
vv25-30
Hitherto the followers of Christ were called disciples, that is, learners, scholars; but from that time they were called Christians. The proper meaning of this name is, a follower of Christ; it denotes one who, from serious thought, embraces the religion of Christ, believes his promises, and makes it his chief care to shape his life by Christ's precepts and example. Hence it is plain that multitudes take the name of Christian to whom it does not rightly belong. But the name without the reality will only add to our guilt. While the bare profession will bestow neither profit nor delight, the possession of it will give both the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. Grant, Lord, that Christians may forget other names and distinctions, and love one another as the followers of Christ ought to do. True Christians will feel for their brethren under afflictions. Thus will fruit be brought forth to the praise and glory of God. If all mankind were true Christians, how cheerfully would they help one another! The whole earth would be like one large family, every member of which would strive to be dutiful and kind.
Key Words
δέ (dé): but, and, etc.
ἀπόστολος (apóstolos): a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ ("apostle") (with miraculous powers)
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀδελφός (adelphós): a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like G1 (Α))
ὤν (ṓn): being
κατά (katá): (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
Ἰουδαία (Ioudaía): the Judæan land (i.e. Judæa), a region of Palestine
ἀκούω (akoúō): to hear (in various senses)
ὅτι (hóti): demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἔθνος (éthnos): a race (as of the same habit), i.e. a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-Jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)
Cross References
Acts 11Direct verbatim repetition of the divine oracle Peter received in his Joppa vision.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Peter explicitly quotes this promise of Jesus regarding baptism with the Holy Spirit.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
The precise legal and social objection regarding entering and eating with uncircumcised Gentiles.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallels Peter's rhetorical question about water baptism and not withstanding God's Spirit.
Supported by JFB
Traces the historical dispersion of believers back to the persecution following Stephen's death.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Contrasts Peter's defense here with his later relapse under pressure from the circumcision party.
Supported by John Calvin
Points to the exact moment the Holy Ghost fell on Cornelius' household.
Supported by John Calvin
Identifies the same Judean prophet, Agabus, who later prophesies Paul's binding.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Parallels Gentile churches recognizing their spiritual debt by sending material relief to Judean saints.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The ultimate resolution and praise that concludes the initial skepticism of the Judean brethren.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Connects Christ's exaltation with God actively granting repentance as a gift.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Reflects the idiomatic expression 'the hand of the Lord was with them' to denote divine power.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Establishes why Barnabas went to Tarsus, where Saul had been sent for safety.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Peter's later theological summary of God cleansing Gentile hearts by faith without distinction.
Supported by John Calvin
Introduces Barnabas' origins in Cyprus, explaining his suitability for the mission to Antioch.
Supported by JFB