Acts 11 19

Acts 11:19 kjv

Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.

Acts 11:19 nkjv

Now 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.

Acts 11:19 niv

Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews.

Acts 11:19 esv

Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews.

Acts 11:19 nlt

Meanwhile, the believers who had been scattered during the persecution after Stephen's death traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch of Syria. They preached the word of God, but only to Jews.

Acts 11 verses

Acts 11 19 Meaning

Acts 11:19 recounts the pivotal moment when disciples, dispersed by the severe persecution ignited by Stephen's martyrdom, traveled widely, yet initially limited their proclamation of the Christian message to Jewish communities in specific regions. This verse highlights how adversity became an unexpected catalyst for the geographical expansion of the early Church's reach, while also illustrating the existing initial theological boundaries among these believers regarding their evangelistic efforts, focusing exclusively on those of Jewish descent.

Acts 11 19 Context

Acts 11:19 is situated after the profound account of Peter's vision and the conversion of Cornelius's household (Acts 10), which demonstrated God's intention to include Gentiles fully in the church without requiring Jewish customs. However, this verse steps back in the narrative, describing events that chronologically precede Peter's breakthrough. It bridges the initial geographical expansion catalyzed by Stephen's martyrdom (Acts 7-8) and the subsequent, more expansive Gentile mission initiated at Antioch (Acts 11:20-26). Luke, the author, frequently employs a retrospective narrative device to show concurrent developments. The overall chapter context highlights the early Church's internal discussions and understanding of salvation extending beyond exclusive Jewish boundaries, a topic much debated after Peter's report of Cornelius' conversion in Jerusalem (Acts 11:1-18). Historically, this period reflects the nascent stage of Christian mission, where the primary evangelistic strategy naturally involved approaching Jewish communities, often through synagogues, within the Jewish diaspora, given the belief that salvation came from the Jews.

Acts 11 19 Word analysis

• Now (οἱ μὲν οὖν - hoi men oun): A common Lukan transitional particle, signifying continuity from what precedes but often initiating a new, related phase of the narrative. It connects to the "persecution" in Acts 8:1.
• those who were scattered (διασπαρέντες - diasparethentes): From diaspeirō (to scatter abroad). A perfect passive participle, indicating a state of having been dispersed. It implies divine allowance or direction in their scattering, much like seeds sown far and wide. It links directly to Acts 8:1 and highlights how God can use adverse circumstances (persecution) to fulfill His redemptive purposes.
• after the persecution (τῆς θλίψεως - tēs thlipseōs): Thlipsis denotes tribulation, distress, or pressure. It refers specifically to the intense opposition that began in Jerusalem. The word suggests a forceful, oppressive pressure leading to their displacement.
• that arose (γενομένης - genomenēs): From ginomai (to come into being, happen). Here, a genitive absolute, showing the persecution was the specific causal event.
• about Stephen (ἐπὶ Στεφάνῳ - epi Stephanō): Indicates the persecution's direct cause and focus was Stephen's death, emphasizing its severity and the identity of the first Christian martyr.
• traveled (διῆλθον - dielthon): From dierchomai (to go through, travel through). An aorist indicative, active voice, showing their deliberate journeying and widespread movement.
• as far as (ἕως - heōs): Indicates the extent or limit of their geographical reach.
• Phoenicia (Φοινίκης - Phoinikēs): A coastal region north of Israel, with cities like Tyre and Sidon, known for trade and Hellenistic culture, having significant Jewish populations.
• and Cyprus (καὶ Κύπρου - kai Kyprou): A large island in the eastern Mediterranean, strategically located. It was the homeland of Barnabas (Acts 4:36) and a future missionary destination for Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:4).
• and Antioch (καὶ Ἀντιοχείας - kai Antiocheias): Antioch in Syria, the third largest city in the Roman Empire. Its inclusion is crucial as it later becomes a primary hub for Gentile missions (Acts 11:20-26; Acts 13:1). Its mixed population of Jews and Gentiles set the stage for major developments.
• preaching (λαλοῦντες - lalountes): From laleō (to speak, talk, declare). A present active participle, denoting continuous action. While often rendered "preaching," laleō is more general than euangelizomai (to evangelize/preach good news). It implies direct verbal proclamation.
• the word (τὸν λόγον - ton logon): Refers to the divine message, the gospel, the teachings of Christ, and indeed Christ Himself as the Logos (Jn 1:1,14). It signifies the core content of their proclamation.
• to no one but Jews only (μηδενὶ μὴ εἰ μὴ μόνοις Ἰουδαίοις - mēdeni mē ei mē monois Ioudaiois): This phrase uses a strong double negative (μὴ ... εἰ μὴ) combined with monois (only), to emphatically stress the exclusivity of their target audience. It clearly reflects the prevailing Jewish-centric understanding of salvation held by these initial believers, before later divine revelation broadened their perspectives. It shows a limit imposed not by persecution, but by their theological outlook.

Acts 11 19 Words-group analysis

• "Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose about Stephen": This phrase precisely defines the group (Jewish Christians driven from Jerusalem) and the catalyst for their migration. It underlines God's redemptive strategy, where adversity initiates geographic expansion of the gospel message, despite the human suffering involved. The scattering was not a defeat, but a divinely ordained dispersion for the propagation of the "Word."
• "traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch": This outlines the expanding geographical footprint of the early church beyond Judea. These were not random destinations; they were key commercial and cultural centers in the Hellenistic world, often with established Jewish diasporic communities, making them strategic entry points for the gospel. The mention of Antioch is particularly significant as it was soon to become the launching pad for gentile missions.
• "preaching the word to no one but Jews only": This highlights the immediate boundary of their mission—limited solely to fellow Jews. It contrasts sharply with the broader mandate of Acts 1:8 and sets the stage for the dramatic theological and missiological shift about to occur in the narrative with the evangelization of Gentiles (beginning Acts 11:20). It illustrates that while they were physically scattered, their evangelistic focus remained tightly confined to their ethnic and religious brethren. This limitation was theological, not geographical or logistical, setting up the need for further divine guidance.

Acts 11 19 Bonus section

The dispersion described in Acts 11:19 provides an example of organic, lay-led missions, predating the formal missionary journeys launched by apostles. These scattered believers, unnamed and often unordained, demonstrate that sharing faith is an inherent response of those who have embraced "the word." The geographic points—Phoenicia, Cyprus, Antioch—are vital. Phoenicia and Cyprus represent accessible coastal and island regions where trade facilitated the movement of people and ideas. Antioch, in particular, was not merely a large Hellenistic city; it was known for its intellectual vibrancy and significant Jewish population (including Greek-speaking Jews or Hellenists). Its strategic location as a nexus of Roman roads and sea routes made it an ideal base for future mission. This verse sets the stage for Antioch becoming the very first truly multi-ethnic Christian congregation and eventually the springboard for Paul's pivotal missionary journeys (Acts 13:1-3), proving how God transforms what initially seems like a retreat into a major expansion of His kingdom.

Acts 11 19 Commentary

Acts 11:19 is a profound verse, illuminating a pivotal moment in the expansion of Christianity. It succinctly explains how the violent persecution that erupted following Stephen's martyrdom in Jerusalem—a deeply traumatic event for the early believers—ironically became the providential mechanism for the Gospel's geographical spread. Those who fled the immediate threat were not silenced; instead, they became dispersed missionaries. This scattering led them to distant, yet strategically significant, regions of Phoenicia, Cyprus, and particularly Antioch in Syria.

Despite this outward geographical movement, the verse underscores the theological boundaries that still limited the vision of these Jewish believers: they preached "the word to no one but Jews only." This reveals a prevailing understanding that salvation was exclusively for Israel, aligning with the "to the Jew first" principle (Rom 1:16) and their comfort within the familiar framework of synagogue outreach. This limitation was natural, yet incomplete. Luke masterfully places this historical detail immediately before describing the breakthrough to Gentiles in Antioch (Acts 11:20-21) and the prior revelation to Peter regarding Cornelius (Acts 10), thereby emphasizing the dramatic shift in God's redemptive plan that was unfolding. The verse therefore serves as a crucial bridge, setting the scene for the profound integration of Gentiles into the burgeoning Church, marking a new chapter in God's mission.

Practical implications include:

• God can use negative circumstances (persecution, displacement) to achieve His greater purposes, transforming tribulation into mission.
• Evangelistic efforts often begin within familiar social or ethnic circles, with God gradually expanding horizons.
• The Great Commission unfolds progressively, guided by both human initiative and divine revelation.