Acts 11:19
What does Acts 11:19 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 11:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 11:19 means
Following Stephen's martyrdom, intense persecution scattered many believers from Jerusalem. These scattered disciples traveled to various regions, including Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch. Initially, they preached the word exclusively to Jews, reflecting their understanding of the gospel's primary audience. This scattering, though born of suffering, ultimately served God's purpose in disseminating the gospel beyond Jerusalem, though still within predominantly Jewish circles at this point. It was a providential expansion of the early church's reach.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000They therefore that were scattered abroad upon the tribulation that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to none save only to Jews.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901They therefore that were scattered abroad upon the tribulation that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to none save only to Jews.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then those who had gone away at the time of the trouble about Stephen, went as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus, preaching to the Jews only.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Those, indeed, therefore, having been scattered abroad, from the tribulation that came after Stephen, went through unto Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to none except to Jews only;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Now they who had been dispersed by the persecution that arose on occasion of Stephen went about as far as Phenice and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to none, but to the Jews only.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890They then who had been scattered abroad through the tribulation that took place on the occasion of Stephen, passed through [the country] to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one but to Jews alone.
Context
This verse marks a thematic shift in the chapter, moving from the Jerusalem council's acceptance of Gentile inclusion to the practical spread of the gospel. It provides the historical backdrop for the subsequent evangelistic efforts in Antioch, connecting the earlier persecution directly to the geographical expansion of Christianity. The limitation of preaching "only to Jews" sets up the dramatic development that will occur in the very next verse, where the gospel breaks through this barrier.
v.18And when they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then to the Gentiles also hath God granted repentance unto life.
v.19This passage
v.20But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 21:2
and having found a ship crossing over unto Phoenicia, we went aboard, and set sail.
- Acts 13:4
So they, being sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.
- Acts 13:1
Now there were at Antioch, in the church that wasthere, prophets and teachers, Barnabas, and Symeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen the foster-brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
- Acts 18:22
And when he had landed at Cæsarea, he went up and saluted the church, and went down to Antioch.
- Acts 3:26
Unto you first God, having raised up his Servant, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.
- Acts 15:3
They therefore, being brought on their way by the church, passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.
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