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Acts 11:19-21

They therefore who were scattered abroad by the oppression that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews only. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.

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They therefore who were scattered abroad by the oppression that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews only. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. The report concerning them came to the ears of the assembly which was in Jerusalem. They sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch, who, when he had come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad. He exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they should remain near to the Lord. For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, and many people were added to the Lord.

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Parallel Translations

  • WEB World English Bible

    They therefore who were scattered abroad by the oppression that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews only.

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

    The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.

  • TYNDALE Tyndale New Testament (1534)

    They which were scattryd abroade thorow the affliccion that arose aboute Steven walked thorow oute tyll they came vnto Phenices and Cypers and Antioche preachynge the worde to no man but vnto the Iewes only.

    Some of them were men of Cypers and Syrene which when they were come into Antioche spake vnto the Grekes and preched the Lorde Iesus.

    And the honde of the Lorde was with them and a greate nombre beleved and turned vnto the Lorde.

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  • GNV Geneva Bible (1599)

    And they which were scattered abroade because of the affliction that arose about Steuen, went throughout till they came vnto Phenice and Cyprus, and Antiochia, preaching the worde to no man, but vnto the Iewes onely.

    Now some of them were men of Cyprus and of Cyrene, which when they were come into Antiochia, spake vnto the Grecians, and preached the Lord Iesus.

    And the hand of the Lord was with them, so that a great number beleeued and turned vnto the Lord.

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Cross-references (50)

  • Luke 1:66 (v21) All who heard them laid them up in their heart, saying, “What then will this child be?” The hand of the Lord was with him.
  • Acts 2:47 (v21) praising God, and having favor with all the people. The Lord added to the assembly day by day those who were being saved.
  • Acts 13:1 (vv19–20) Now in the assembly that was at Antioch there were some prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene,…
  • Matthew 27:32 (v20) As they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name, and they compelled him to go with them, that he might carry his cross.
  • Acts 5:14 (v21) More believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women.
Show all 47 cross-references
  • Acts 4:36 (vv19–20) Joses, who by the apostles was also called Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of Encouragement), a Levite, a man of Cyprus by race,
  • Isaiah 59:1 (v21) Behold, Yahweh’s hand is not shortened, that it can’t save; nor his ear dull, that it can’t hear.
  • Acts 2:10 (v20) Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, the parts of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,
  • Acts 6:7 (v21) The word of God increased and the number of the disciples greatly multiplied in Jerusalem. A great company of the priests were obedient to…
  • Acts 6:9 (v20) But some of those who were of the synagogue called “The Libertines”, and of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and…
  • Acts 9:35 (v21) All who lived at Lydda and in Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.
  • Acts 15:3 (v19) They, being sent on their way by the assembly, passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles. They…
  • Acts 15:22 (v19) Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch…
  • Acts 15:35 (v19) But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
  • Acts 21:2 (v19) Having found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard, and set sail.
  • 1 Corinthians 1:23-24 (v20) but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews, and foolishness to Greeks, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks,…
  • 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 (v21) I planted. Apollos watered. But God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the…
  • Ephesians 3:8 (v20) To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
  • 1 Thessalonians 1:5 (v21) and that our Good News came to you not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance. You know what kind…
  • John 7:35 (vv19–20) The Jews therefore said among themselves, “Where will this man go that we won’t find him? Will he go to the Dispersion among the Greeks,…
  • 2 Chronicles 30:12 (v21) Also the hand of God came on Judah to give them one heart, to do the commandment of the king and of the princes by Yahweh’s word.
  • Ezra 7:9 (v21) For on the first day of the first month he began to go up from Babylon; and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem,…
  • Ezra 8:18 (v21) According to the good hand of our God on us they brought us a man of discretion, of the sons of Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel;…
  • Nehemiah 2:8 (v21) and a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king’s forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple,…
  • Nehemiah 2:18 (v21) I told them of the hand of my God which was good on me, as also of the king’s words that he had spoken to me. They said, “Let’s rise up and…
  • Isaiah 53:1 (v21) Who has believed our message? To whom has Yahweh’s arm been revealed?
  • Matthew 10:6 (v19) Rather, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
  • Acts 3:26 (v19) God, having raised up his servant Jesus, sent him to you first to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your wickedness.”
  • Acts 4:4 (v21) But many of those who heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.
  • Acts 5:42–6:1 (v20) Every day, in the temple and at home, they never stopped teaching and preaching Jesus, the Christ. Now in those days, when the number of…
  • Acts 8:1-4 (v19) Saul was consenting to his death. A great persecution arose against the assembly which was in Jerusalem in that day. They were all…
  • Acts 8:5 (v20) Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and proclaimed to them the Christ.
  • Acts 8:35 (v20) Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached to him about Jesus.
  • Acts 9:20 (v20) Immediately in the synagogues he proclaimed the Christ, that he is the Son of God.
  • Acts 9:29 (v20) preaching boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus. He spoke and disputed against the Hellenists, but they were seeking to kill him.
  • Acts 11:24 (v21) For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, and many people were added to the Lord.
  • Acts 11:26-27 (v19) When he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they were gathered together with the assembly, and taught many people.…
  • Acts 13:4 (v19) So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia. From there they sailed to Cyprus.
  • Acts 13:46 (v19) Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, and said, “It was necessary that God’s word should be spoken to you first. Since indeed you thrust it…
  • Acts 15:39 (v19) Then the contention grew so sharp that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus,
  • Acts 17:18 (v20) Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also were conversing with him. Some said, “What does this babbler want to say?” Others said,…
  • Acts 18:22 (v19) When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the assembly, and went down to Antioch.
  • Acts 21:16 (v19) Some of the disciples from Caesarea also went with us, bringing one Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we would stay.
  • Acts 26:18-20 (v21) to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins…
  • 1 Corinthians 2:2 (v20) For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
  • Galatians 2:11 (v19) But when Peter came to Antioch, I resisted him to his face, because he stood condemned.
  • 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 (v21) For they themselves report concerning us what kind of a reception we had from you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living…

47 distinct cross-references across this passage (50 total citations).

Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)

Explain this passage (29 sources)

Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.

John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain On vv19–21 19. Those which were scattered abroad. Luke returneth now…

19. Those which were scattered abroad. Luke returneth now unto the former history, (and unto that which followed in the same.) For he had said before that after that Stephen was slain the cruelty of the wicked increased; and many fled hither and thither for fear, so that the apostles were almost left alone at Jerusalem. Whereas the Church was thus torn in pieces, and fear did cause those which were fled to keep silence or else contempt of strangers, he declareth that that event did follow which no man would have hoped for; for as the seed is sown that it may bring forth fruit, so it came to pass through their flight and scattering abroad, that the gospel was spread abroad in nations which were far off, which was included before within the walls of one city, as in a barn. In like sort it came to pass, that the name of Christ, passing over mountains and seas, did flow even unto the farthest parts of the world; and by this means, according to the prophecy of Isaiah, the consumption did abound in righteousness. If so many godly men had not been expelled out of Jerusalem, Cyprus had heard nothing, Phenice had heard nothing of Christ; yea, Italy and Spain, which were farther off, had heard nothing. But the Lord brought to pass, that of many torn members did arise more bodies. For how came it to pass that there were Churches gathered at Rome and at Puteoli, save only because a few exiled men, and such as fled away, had brought the gospel thither with them? And as God did at that time make the endeavors of Satan frustrate after a wonderful sort, so we need not doubt but that even at this day he will make to himself triumphs of the cross and persecution, that the Church may better grow together, though it be scattered abroad. Phenice joineth to Syria, and is nigh to Galilee. Antioch is a most famous city of Syria, at which part it is joined to Cilicia.

Speaking to none. Peradventure they were letted not only with fear of persecution, that they durst not speak to the Gentiles, but also with that foolish religion, in that they thought that the children’s bread was thrown to the dogs, (Mark 16:15;) whereas, notwithstanding, Christ had commanded that the gospel should be preached to all the world after his resurrection.

John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.

Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv19–20 He speaketh of Antioch which was in Syria and…
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv19–21 19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the…
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv19–21 So true hath it been from the beginning of…
William Burkitt 1703 · Public Domain On v19 Observe here, 1. That Antioch becomes the Jerusalem of…
Matthew Henry 1710 · Public Domain On v19 We have here an account of the planting and…
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv19–21 And some of them were men of Cyprus,.... That…
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv19–21 They who had been dispersed - St. Luke here…
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv19–21 Verse 19. The persecution that arose about Stephen] That…
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On v19 Act 11:19-21. Now they which were scattered abroad —…
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv19–21 Now they ... - This verse introduces a new…
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On v20 Some of them, at Antioch, spoke also to the…
Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures 1864 · Public Domain On v19
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv19–21 THE GOSPEL BEING PREACHED TO GENTILES AT ANTIOCH ALSO…
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv19–20 4. The New Gentile Christian Centre formed—Antioch, Act_11:19-26.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv19–21 19–26. Further spread of the Gospel as far as…
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv19–20 (19) Now they which were scattered abroad.—A new and…
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv19–21 They therefore that for now they which, A.V.; tribulation…
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On vv19, 21 Now they which were scattered abroad … travelled as…
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain On vv19–20 19. Now they which were scattered abroad. See 8:5.…
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary 1892 · Public Domain On v19 Act_11:19. Upon the persecution.—Or, tribulation, ἀπὸ πῆς θλίψεως: better,…
William B. Godbey 1900 · Public Domain On vv19, 21 19-24. While the above is true, yet it was…
Alexander MacLaren 1905 · Public Domain On v20 Act 11:20 - Act 11:21.
J. R. Dummelow 1909 · Public Domain On v19 The Church in Antioch, 35-47 a.d. (Act_11:19 to Act_13:3)
J. W. McGarvey 1914 · Public Domain On vv19–21 19. The scene of the narrative is now about…
C. I. Scofield 1917 · Public Domain On vv19–20
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain On v19 The Establishment of the Congregation at Antioch.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v19 Connecting Statement:
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv19–21 11:19-26 The persecution that followed Stephen’s death forced believers…
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