Acts 11:12
What does Acts 11:12 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 11:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 11:12 means
The Holy Spirit explicitly commanded Peter to accompany the men from Caesarea, emphasizing that he should make no distinction between them. This divine directive directly applied the lesson of his vision—that what God has cleansed, no one should call common—to people. Additionally, six other Jewish brethren accompanied Peter, providing crucial witnesses to the events that were about to unfold. Their presence would later prove vital in substantiating Peter's account to the Jerusalem church, as he recounts in the latter half of the chapter.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And the Spirit bade me go with them, making no distinction. And these six brethren also accompanied me; and we entered into the man’s house:
KJV
King James Version · 1611And the spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man’s house:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And the Spirit bade me go with them, making no distinction. And these six brethren also accompanied me; and we entered into the man’s house:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And the Spirit gave me orders to go with them, doubting nothing. And these six brothers came with me; and we went into that man's house:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and the Spirit said to me to go with them, nothing doubting, and these six brethren also went with me, and we did enter into the house of the man,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And the Spirit said to me that I should go with them, nothing doubting. And these six brethren went with me also: and we entered into the man's house.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And the Spirit said to me to go with them, nothing doubting. And there went with me these six brethren also, and we entered into the house of the man,
Context
This verse continues Peter's account of the events following his vision, focusing on the Spirit's direct command for him to go with the messengers without discrimination. This command is a practical application of the vision's theological lesson. The mention of the six accompanying brethren is also crucial, setting the stage for their role as witnesses, which becomes important when Peter recounts these events to the Jerusalem church, strengthening his credibility.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 15:9
and he made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.
- Acts 13:4
So they, being sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.
- Acts 10:45
And they of the circumcision that believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit.
- Acts 10:23
So he called them in and lodged them. And on the morrow he arose and went forth with them, and certain of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him.
- Romans 3:22
even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ unto all them that believe; for there is no distinction;
- Acts 8:29
And the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
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