Acts 11 20

Acts 11:20 kjv

And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the LORD Jesus.

Acts 11:20 nkjv

But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus.

Acts 11:20 niv

Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus.

Acts 11:20 esv

But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus.

Acts 11:20 nlt

However, some of the believers who went to Antioch from Cyprus and Cyrene began preaching to the Gentiles about the Lord Jesus.

Acts 11 verses

Acts 11 20 Meaning

Acts 11:20 marks a pivotal moment in the early Christian movement. While other believers, scattered by persecution, initially preached only to Jews, a group of believers from Cyprus and Cyrene intentionally proclaimed the good news of "the Lord Jesus" to non-Jewish Greeks (Hellenists) in Antioch. This act, unprompted by an apostle's direct instruction or a specific vision, represents a significant step towards the universal inclusion of Gentiles into the church, moving beyond Jewish boundaries and customs. It illustrates the Spirit's ongoing work through ordinary believers to fulfill the Great Commission and establish a multi-ethnic community of faith.

Acts 11 20 Context

Acts 11:20 is situated within a narrative demonstrating the early church's expansion, particularly the move towards Gentile inclusion. The preceding verses (Acts 11:19) describe how believers, scattered by the persecution following Stephen's martyrdom, preached the word but initially only to Jews. This focused evangelism kept the message within familiar Jewish parameters. However, the scene abruptly shifts in verse 20. The geographical move from Jerusalem (the center of initial persecution) to Antioch (a significant Hellenistic city) is crucial. Antioch was a diverse, cosmopolitan hub where Greek culture permeated society, making it fertile ground for the gospel to cross ethnic lines. The specific mention of "men from Cyprus and Cyrene" highlights that this Gentile outreach originated from ordinary believers, not directly from the Twelve Apostles or Peter's explicit experience with Cornelius in Acts 10. This signals an organic, Spirit-led growth of the church beyond previously conceived boundaries, preparing the way for Paul's extensive missionary journeys.

Acts 11 20 Word analysis

• But: (δέ - de) - Marks a strong transition or contrast. Here, it contrasts the preceding practice of speaking only to Jews (v. 19) with the new initiative of speaking to Hellenists. This "but" signifies a turning point.
• there were some of them, men: (τινὲς ἐξ αὐτῶν ἄνδρες - tines ex autōn andres) - Highlights that this was not a collective, officially sanctioned missionary trip but rather an initiative by some individuals. The action is organic and Spirit-led, not mandated by Jerusalem. It underscores a grassroots movement.
• from Cyprus and Cyrene: (Κύπριοι καὶ Κυρηναῖοι - Kyprioi kai Kyrēnaioi) - These are geographical identifiers. Cyprus is an island in the eastern Mediterranean, and Cyrene is a major city in North Africa (modern Libya). Both were home to large Jewish and Hellenistic populations. Believers from these areas would have been culturally adept at interacting with a diverse group, familiar with both Jewish and Greek traditions. Their background made them naturally bridge-builders.
• who on coming to Antioch: (οἵτινες ἐλθόντες εἰς Ἀντιόχειαν - hoitines elthontes eis Antiocheian) - Antioch was a major Hellenistic metropolis, the third largest city in the Roman Empire after Rome and Alexandria, and capital of Syria. Its multicultural, cosmopolitan environment was critical. The move to Antioch facilitated the breaking down of Jewish exclusivism that was more pronounced in Jerusalem.
• spoke: (ἐλάλουν - elaloun) - Imperfect tense, suggesting continuous or repeated action. They were actively and habitually speaking. It implies a direct verbal proclamation.
• to the Hellenists also: (πρὸς τοὺς Ἑλληνιστάς - pros tous Hellēnistas) - This is the most crucial phrase. "Hellenists" here (Ἑλληνιστάς - Hellenistas) almost certainly refers to non-Jewish, Greek-speaking Gentiles. This differentiates them from "Hellenistic Jews" (also Hellenistas) mentioned in Acts 6:1. Scholars agree that if "Jews" were intended, a word like "Ioudaios" (Ἰουδαίους - Ioudaious) would likely have been used, or it would have specified "Greek-speaking Jews." This is a monumental step: a deliberate and direct outreach to Gentiles without requiring prior Jewish conversion.
• preaching: (εὐαγγελιζόμενοι - euangelizomenoi) - A present participle, indicating simultaneous action with "spoke." They weren't just conversing, but actively "evangelizing" or "proclaiming the good news." This word implies sharing a salvific message. It connects the message to the "euangelion" (gospel) and underscores the seriousness of their proclamation.
• the Lord Jesus: (τὸν Κύριον Ἰησοῦν - ton Kyrion Iēsoun) - This identifies the core content of their message. "Lord" (Κύριον - Kyrion) carries significant weight. In a Hellenistic context, it resonated with deity, often applied to Roman emperors or pagan gods. Proclaiming Jesus as "Lord" was a bold affirmation of His divine authority and kingship, challenging existing loyalties and implying a call to submit to His rule as savior. It signifies His divine identity and redemptive power, making Him central to the salvation message.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• But there were some of them, men from Cyprus and Cyrene: This highlights the uncommanded, Spirit-led, and decentralized nature of the early mission to Gentiles. It's an initiative by ordinary believers from diaspora backgrounds, familiar with cross-cultural interaction.
• who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also: The choice of Antioch as the location is vital, as a diverse city that facilitated this expansion. The phrase "to the Hellenists also" marks the expansion of the gospel beyond the confines of Jewish ethnicity, paralleling (though perhaps distinct in origin from) Peter's earlier encounter with Cornelius, signaling a growing understanding that God's grace was not exclusive to Israel.
• preaching the Lord Jesus: The focus on "the Lord Jesus" summarizes the core of their message. It implies not just a historical figure, but a divinely authoritative savior who demands allegiance. This simple yet profound message was universally applicable, transcending cultural and religious barriers.

Acts 11 20 Bonus section

This incident at Antioch, though seemingly small and initiated by unnamed individuals, represents a crucial theological and missiological breakthrough. It demonstrates that the expansion of God's redemptive plan to the Gentiles was not solely reliant on direct apostolic decrees or dramatic visions, but also through the organic, Spirit-led witness of everyday believers. It was an independent development, occurring concurrently with Peter's defense of Gentile inclusion in Jerusalem (Acts 11:1-18) but seemingly separate from it, showing the pervasive nature of the Holy Spirit's work. The resulting vibrant, Gentile-inclusive church in Antioch would then become the launching pad for the first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:1-3), effectively shifting the geographical and strategic center of the nascent Christian movement from Jerusalem to this multicultural Hellenistic city. This event underpins the core New Testament truth that the grace of God in Christ is universally available, cutting across all ethnic and cultural distinctions.

Acts 11 20 Commentary

Acts 11:20 describes a seminal moment where the early church proactively engaged in Gentile evangelism. Up to this point, while the gospel had touched individual Gentiles (like the Ethiopian eunuch or Cornelius), the general practice for scattered Jewish believers was to preach exclusively to other Jews (Acts 11:19). This verse records a spontaneous, Spirit-prompted deviation from that pattern. Men from Cyprus and Cyrene, possibly less bound by rigid Jewish traditions due to their diaspora background, consciously turned their attention to the non-Jewish Greek population in Antioch. They didn't just invite Gentiles to become proselytes to Judaism first, but directly preached "the Lord Jesus" as the path to salvation. This marked a deliberate shift in strategy and understanding, paving the way for the extensive Gentile missions led by Paul and Barnabas. It showed that the church was moving from a largely ethnically homogeneous community to a truly diverse body, where membership was based on faith in Jesus, not ethnic identity or adherence to Jewish ceremonial law. It exemplifies the Holy Spirit empowering ordinary believers to break down social and religious barriers for the sake of the gospel.Examples: This event foreshadows Paul's later mission focus; demonstrates how grassroots evangelism can lead to profound shifts; highlights the power of ordinary believers in advancing God's kingdom.