Acts 11 26

Acts 11:26 kjv

And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

Acts 11:26 nkjv

And 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.

Acts 11:26 niv

and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

Acts 11:26 esv

and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

Acts 11:26 nlt

When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching large crowds of people. (It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.)

Acts 11 verses

Acts 11 26 Meaning

Acts 11:26 records a pivotal moment in the early church: the establishment of a sustained ministry in Antioch by Barnabas and Saul (Paul), and the subsequent naming of believers as "Christians." It signifies the solidifying identity of the followers of Jesus Christ as distinct from Judaism, united by their devotion to Christ, and taught foundational truths for an entire year. This verse highlights the growth and organization of the early community and marks Antioch as a key center for the expansion of the Gospel to the Gentile world.

Acts 11 26 Context

Acts chapter 11 opens with Peter defending his ministry to Gentiles in the house of Cornelius (Acts 10) before the Jerusalem apostles and elders, which led to their acceptance of Gentile inclusion. News of the Gospel spreading rapidly to Hellenists in Antioch then reached Jerusalem. The leaders in Jerusalem sent Barnabas, an "encourager" (Acts 4:36), to Antioch. Upon arriving, Barnabas saw the grace of God at work, rejoiced, and encouraged them to remain faithful. Recognizing the immense potential and need for more intensive teaching in the large, diverse city, Barnabas then traveled to Tarsus to seek out Saul (Paul). This act of bringing Saul to Antioch culminates in verse 26, signifying the powerful partnership between them that would establish the foundation of Christian teaching in Antioch for a sustained period. Historically, Antioch was a massive and cosmopolitan city in Syria, a key administrative and trade hub, making it a strategic center for the outward mission of the church. The rapid growth of believers, encompassing both Jews and Gentiles, created a new distinct community, which then needed a name to identify itself, setting them apart from both Jewish synagogues and pagan religions.

Acts 11 26 Word analysis

• And when he had found him (εὑρών [eurōn]):
  • Word: eurōn (participle of heuriskō).
  • Significance: Implies deliberate seeking and an intentional effort on Barnabas's part. It underscores Barnabas's spiritual discernment and leadership, recognizing Saul's unique giftedness (given his background and revelation from Christ) would be invaluable for the burgeoning church in Antioch, particularly for Gentile outreach (Gal 1:15-16).
• he brought him to Antioch (ἤγαγεν εἰς Ἀντιόχειαν [ēgagen eis Antiocheian]):
  • Word: ēgagen (aorist of agō - "to lead, bring").
  • Word: Antiocheian (Greek for Antioch).
  • Significance: Antioch, distinct from Jerusalem, represented a multicultural hub of the Roman Empire, making it a crucial base for the Gentile mission. Barnabas actively brought Saul, emphasizing Saul's purposeful inclusion in this strategic ministry, which would become the launching point for his future missionary journeys.
• So for a whole year (ἐνιαυτὸν ὅλον [eniauton holon]):
  • Word: eniauton ("year"). holon ("whole, complete").
  • Significance: This duration signifies a long-term, committed ministry. It wasn't a brief visit but a sustained period of immersion in the community, providing ample time for foundational teaching, discipleship, and integration of diverse believers (Jews and Gentiles). It indicates deep investment rather than superficial engagement.
• they met with the church (συναχθῆναι ἐν τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ [synachthenai en tē ekklēsiā]):
  • Word: synachthenai (aorist passive infinitive of synagō - "to gather together, assemble").
  • Word: ekklēsiā ("assembly, church").
  • Significance: Points to structured, communal gatherings of believers, demonstrating organization beyond informal meetings. It emphasizes the collective identity and functioning of the nascent Christian community as an organized body, where teaching and fellowship took place.
• and taught a great many people (καὶ ἐδίδαξαν ὄχλον ἱκανόν [kai edidaxan ochlon hikanon]):
  • Word: edidaxan (aorist of didaskō - "to teach, instruct").
  • Word: ochlon hikanon ("a large crowd/multitude").
  • Significance: "Taught" suggests systematic instruction in the doctrines and ways of Christ, going beyond simple evangelism. The phrase "great many people" (lit. "a sufficient/ample crowd") underscores the effectiveness of their ministry and the rapid numerical growth of the Antioch church. It indicates that the teaching ministry was fruitful and reached a broad audience, encompassing new converts.
• And the disciples were first called (χρηματίσαι τε πρώτως [chrēmatisai te prōtōs]):
  • Word: chrēmatisai (aorist passive infinitive of chrēmatizō - "to receive a divine oracle or message, to be divinely admonished, or to take a name/be called"). In Hellenistic usage, it frequently implies official or authoritative declaration, sometimes divinely ordained, or a public pronouncement/designation.
  • Word: prōtōs ("first, for the first time").
  • Significance: This verb suggests a significant, publicly acknowledged, and possibly providentially intended naming. While not necessarily a direct divine command, it implies the name gained widespread currency and recognition in a way that suggests a new, established identity. "First" marks the origin point of this unique identifier, distinguishing them from other groups.
• Christians in Antioch (Χριστιανοὺς ἐν Ἀντιοχείᾳ [Christianous en Antiocheiā]):
  • Word: Christianous (plural of Christianos - "Christian").
  • Word: Antiocheiā (Antioch).
  • Significance: The suffix -ianos in Greek/Latin contexts often denoted "adherents of" or "belonging to" a person (e.g., Caesariani - followers of Caesar). Thus, Christianoi means "followers of Christ." This was a significant development, differentiating them clearly from Jews (who denied Jesus as the Messiah) and marking their allegiance solely to Christ. It was likely initially a name given by outsiders, perhaps as a distinguishing or even derogatory term by pagans, recognizing them as a new, distinct group devoted to Christ. Yet, it became a proud badge of identity for believers.

Words-Group Analysis

• "found him, he brought him to Antioch": Emphasizes Barnabas's initiative and the strategic decision to gather gifted leaders for the growing, diverse community in Antioch, positioning it as a pivotal center for the Gospel's outward spread. This act was instrumental in linking Saul's ministry to the emerging Gentile church.
• "for a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people": Highlights the importance of sustained, systematic teaching in building a robust, spiritually mature community. The length of time and the number of people indicate a successful, foundational period of instruction and consolidation for the Antioch church, crucial for its future role.
• "the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch": This phrase marks a profound shift in identity. It signifies the emergence of a new, distinct religious group defined by its devotion to "Christ" (Messiah). The fact that this naming occurred in the Gentile city of Antioch, rather than Jewish Jerusalem, further underscores the universal, non-ethnic nature of this new identity, open to all who believed in Jesus as the Christ. It reflects their public recognition as a separate entity.

Acts 11 26 Bonus section

• The use of chrēmatizō for "called" has been a subject of scholarly discussion. While often implying a divine pronouncement or a business dealing, in the context of a name, it denotes the acquisition of a new status or public recognition. It implies the name was widely acknowledged and not simply an internal label. Some scholars see a subtle indication of divine providence in the naming, even if outsiders coined it.
• Antioch in Syria was known for its quick wit and often its derisive nicknames. It is possible the Gentile population, seeing a distinct group intensely focused on "Christos," spontaneously applied the name, which then stuck. However, even if originally a taunt, the early believers eventually embraced it as a powerful identifier (e.g., 1 Pet 4:16).
• The shift from "disciples" (μάθηται - mathētai), meaning learners or followers, to "Christians" underscores that their identity was no longer just about adherence to a teaching, but allegiance to a person, Christ, as Lord and Messiah. This emphasized their unique identity over and above being a "sect" of Judaism (Nazarenes, The Way, etc.)
• This passage demonstrates the collaborative spirit of the early church, where gifted individuals like Barnabas, despite being prominent, sought out and elevated others (Saul/Paul) for the common good and growth of the Gospel.

Acts 11 26 Commentary

Acts 11:26 encapsulates a critical turning point for the early church. The formation of the Barnabas-Saul ministry team in Antioch proved to be divinely orchestrated, fostering a dynamic environment where the Gospel flourished among a diverse populace. Their dedicated, year-long teaching program laid strong theological foundations for new converts, ensuring the qualitative growth of the rapidly expanding community. The emergence of the name "Christians" served as a definitive identifier, marking believers as followers of Jesus Christ, distinct from Judaism, and solidifying their corporate identity around His person and work. While possibly initially a descriptive or even pejorative term from outsiders, it eventually became the accepted and proud self-designation for those who confessed Christ, signaling a truly universal faith beginning to take shape beyond its Jewish roots. This verse firmly establishes Antioch as the crucible for the nascent church's Gentile mission and a blueprint for sustained, biblically grounded community growth.