Acts 11 2

Acts 11:2 kjv

And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,

Acts 11:2 nkjv

And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contended with him,

Acts 11:2 niv

So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him

Acts 11:2 esv

So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying,

Acts 11:2 nlt

But when Peter arrived back in Jerusalem, the Jewish believers criticized him.

Acts 11 verses

Acts 11 2 Meaning

The verse describes how Peter, upon his return to Jerusalem, encountered believers who were circumcised, and how they criticized him for associating with and eating with uncircumcised Gentiles. This highlights a significant cultural and religious barrier within early Judaism that Peter had to navigate.

Acts 11 2 Context

Following his miraculous experience in Caesarea with Cornelius (Acts 10), Peter, a prominent apostle, traveled to Jerusalem. There, he found that some believers from the circumcision party, who were strict Jewish followers of the Law, were critical of him. They objected to his breach of Jewish dietary and social customs by entering the house of and eating with uncircumcised Gentiles. This incident reveals the significant tension and debate within the early church regarding the inclusion of Gentiles and the applicability of Jewish law to them. It sets the stage for the broader theological discussions and decisions that would follow, such as the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15.

Acts 11 2 Word analysis

• And: Connects this verse to the preceding narrative of Peter's visit to Cornelius and the baptism of the Gentiles with the Holy Spirit.
• when: Indicates the time of Peter's arrival in Jerusalem.
• Peter: Refers to the apostle Peter, a key figure in the early church.
• came: Denotes arrival, signaling the transition from his experience in Caesarea.
• up: A directional term commonly used in biblical Hebrew and Greek to indicate movement towards Jerusalem, which was geographically higher than many surrounding regions.
• to: Preposition showing direction towards a destination.
• Jerusalem: The holy city, the center of Jewish religious life and the nascent Christian movement's initial headquarters.
• they: Refers to the believers from the circumcision party mentioned later in the verse.
• that: Introduces the subordinate clause explaining the action of the "they."
• were: Indicates a state or condition.
• circumcised: A reference to Jewish men who had undergone the ritual of circumcision, a sign of the covenant between God and Abraham (Gen. 17:10-11). For these believers, it also signified adherence to the Mosaic Law and Jewish identity.
• called: In this context, it means to "apprehend" or "criticize," to find fault with.
• him: Refers back to Peter.
• went in: Signifies entering a place.
• with: Preposition indicating association.
• men: Refers to people, likely Jewish believers with a strong emphasis on maintaining traditional Jewish practices.
• uncircumcised: Gentiles, those not part of the Jewish covenant marked by circumcision.
• by: Indicates the means or agency.
• eating: Refers to sharing a meal, a significant act of fellowship in ancient culture.

Word Group Analysis:

• "they that were circumcised called him": This phrase encapsulates the opposition Peter faced. It shows the factionalism within the early church, where those identified by their adherence to Jewish tradition ("circumcised") took issue with Peter's actions. This "calling" implies accusation and censure.
• "went in with men uncircumcised, and by eating with them": This details the specific actions that drew criticism. Peter's entering a Gentile home and participating in a shared meal represented a radical departure from strict Jewish custom and implied acceptance of Gentiles as equals in God's sight, bypassing traditional requirements.

Acts 11 2 Bonus section

The critique Peter faced was not merely a matter of social etiquette; it was deeply rooted in religious law and identity. The Old Testament Law prescribed strict rules regarding ceremonial cleanness and prohibited association with Gentiles who were seen as "unclean." For Jewish believers, adhering to these laws was a way to honor God and maintain their distinct identity. Peter’s actions, though guided by divine revelation, directly challenged these deeply held convictions. This tension ultimately necessitated the divine intervention recorded in the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15), where the church formally decided that Gentiles were not required to adhere to Mosaic Law to be saved, emphasizing faith in Christ as the unifying principle.

Acts 11 2 Commentary

This verse highlights the cultural and theological hurdles faced by the early church. Peter, a leading apostle, after receiving direct revelation from God concerning the non-segregation of Gentiles (Acts 10), still faced scrutiny from fellow Jewish believers in Jerusalem. The "circumcised" faction strongly believed that conversion to Judaism, including circumcision, was a prerequisite for Gentiles to be accepted by God and to fellowship with believers. Peter's interaction with the Gentiles represented a perceived violation of both the Law and established social norms, leading to his being challenged. This event underscores the difficulty of shifting from a culturally ingrained understanding of purity and inclusion to the expansive, grace-based gospel that welcomed all people through Christ, regardless of ethnic or traditional distinctions. It sets the stage for the apologetic explanation Peter provides in the following verses, emphasizing God's work through the Holy Spirit among the Gentiles.