Acts 11:11 kjv
And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me.
Acts 11:11 nkjv
At that very moment, three men stood before the house where I was, having been sent to me from Caesarea.
Acts 11:11 niv
"Right then three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea stopped at the house where I was staying.
Acts 11:11 esv
And behold, at that very moment three men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesarea.
Acts 11:11 nlt
"Just then three men who had been sent from Caesarea arrived at the house where we were staying.
Acts 11 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 11:11 | Behold, at that very hour three men stood before the house... | Acts 10:17 |
| Acts 11:12 | The Spirit told me to go with them without hesitation. | Acts 10:20, Gal 2:11-14 |
| Acts 11:13 | And he told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house... | Acts 10:30-32 |
| Acts 11:14 | who will speak words to you by which you and all your household will be saved.' | Acts 10:44, Acts 10:34-35 |
| Acts 11:15 | As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them as he did on us at the beginning. | Acts 2:4, Acts 10:45-47 |
| Acts 11:16 | Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' | John 1:33, Mark 1:8 |
| Acts 11:17 | If then God gave that same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to hinder God?' | Acts 15:8-9, Rom 3:29-30, Eph 3:5-6 |
| Acts 10:1 | At Caesarea there was a centurion of the Italian cohort... | Acts 10:1-4 |
| Acts 10:20 | But the Spirit said to Peter, 'Rise, go down, and go with them, doubting nothing, for I have sent them.' | Luke 5:10 |
| Acts 10:22 | And they said, 'Cornelius a centurion, an honest and God-fearing man... | Acts 10:1-2 |
| Acts 10:23 | So Peter went down and went with them. | Acts 10:20 |
| Acts 10:24 | On the next day they entered Caesarea. And Cornelius was waiting for them... | Acts 10:1-2 |
| Acts 10:30-32 | And Cornelius said, 'Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying... | Acts 10:3-6 |
| Acts 10:34 | So Peter opened his mouth and said, 'Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, | Rom 2:11, Deut 10:17 |
| Acts 10:44 | While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. | Acts 2:17, Joel 2:28 |
| Acts 10:45 | And the Jewish believers who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. | Gal 3:28, Col 3:11 |
| Acts 10:47 | “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” | Mark 16:16 |
| Acts 15:7 | And after there had been much debate, Peter rose and said to them, 'Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. | Gal 2:7-8 |
| Galatians 2:11-14 | But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. | Gal 2:11-14 |
| Ephesians 3:5-6 | This mystery was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it now has been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. | Rom 16:25-26 |
Acts 11 verses
Acts 11 11 Meaning
The verse describes the immediate transport of Peter from Joppa to Caesarea by the Holy Spirit, orchestrated by three men sent by Cornelius. This divine intervention highlights God's direct involvement in Peter's journey to preach the gospel to the Gentiles.
Acts 11 11 Context
Chapter 11 of Acts recounts Peter's defense of his ministry to Cornelius and the Gentiles before the believers in Jerusalem. This specific verse (11:11) is part of Peter's own testimony about the events. The preceding chapter details Peter's vision of unclean animals and his subsequent visit to Cornelius' house, where the Holy Spirit powerfully fell upon the Gentiles as Peter preached. The men mentioned in verse 11 were those sent by Cornelius to fetch Peter. This chapter is crucial for demonstrating the early church's understanding and acceptance of Gentile inclusion, marking a significant expansion of the gospel. Historically, this was a pivotal moment in the transition from a predominantly Jewish movement to a worldwide religion, addressing deep-seated cultural and religious barriers.
Acts 11 11 Word Analysis
"Behold" (ἰδοὺ - idou): An interjection, like "lo" or "look." It's used to draw attention to something significant or surprising that is about to happen or is happening.
"at that very hour" (ἐν αὐτῇ τῇ ὥρᾳ - en autē tē hōra): Emphasizes the immediate timing and divine synchronicity of events. It signifies that the events at Joppa and the arrival of the men at Caesarea were precisely coordinated by God.
"three men" (τρεῖς ἄνδρες - treis andres): The precise number is noted. These were the men Cornelius had dispatched, signifying their messenger role as dictated by the divine instruction.
"stood" (παρῆσαν - paresan): Imperfect tense, suggesting they had arrived and were present, or in the process of arriving and being there.
"before the house" (πρὸ τοῦ οἴκου - pro tou oikou): Located outside and in front of the dwelling.
"in which" (ἐν ᾧ - en hō): Refers to the house.
"I was" (ἐγὼ ἤμην - egō ēmen): Peter states his presence in Joppa.
Grouped analysis: "Behold, at that very hour three men stood before the house in which I was." This entire phrase is designed to powerfully link the two divine interventions: the message from the Holy Spirit to Peter (in the preceding narrative, implicitly the divine command to go) and the physical arrival of Cornelius' messengers at the very moment Peter received this guidance. It underscores the seamless and immediate working of the Holy Spirit to bring Peter and Cornelius together, bridging the geographical and social divide between Jew and Gentile. The precision ("that very hour") and the specific agency ("three men") highlight God's meticulous plan and active orchestration.
Acts 11 11 Bonus Section
The phrase "at that very hour" (ἐν αὐτῇ τῇ ὥρᾳ) carries significant theological weight, emphasizing the kairos (opportune or appointed time) of God's intervention. It echoes other instances where God's timing is exact, such as the moment Jesus began his ministry or the timing of Pentecost. The three men arriving precisely when Peter was ready to be instructed is a testament to God's meticulous orchestration, ensuring no delay in the unfolding of His plan to include the Gentiles in His kingdom. This verse directly supports the theological argument made by Peter and later summarized in Acts 15 concerning God's acceptance of the Gentiles without requiring them to become Jews first.
Acts 11 11 Commentary
This verse marks a pivotal moment where divine orchestration is undeniably at play. Peter, reflecting on the events, highlights the direct, almost simultaneous action of God through the Holy Spirit and human messengers. The Spirit's guidance to Peter and the arrival of Cornelius' men "at that very hour" demonstrate a perfectly timed divine intervention. This isn't merely coincidence; it's God actively clearing the path for the gospel's expansion. It underscores that God initiates and directs the spread of His message, often using human agents who are responsive to His Spirit. For Peter, this immediate convergence of spiritual direction and human action was a clear sign that God's plan included the Gentiles, as confirmed by the subsequent outpouring of the Spirit upon them.