Devine Scripture

Acts 11:20

What does Acts 11:20 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 11:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 11:20 means

A significant turning point occurred when some of these scattered believers, specifically men from Cyprus and Cyrene, arrived in Antioch. Breaking with the previous practice of preaching only to Jews, they began proclaiming the Lord Jesus to Gentiles, referred to here as "the Greeks." This spontaneous initiative by unnamed evangelists opened a new front for the gospel, demonstrating a willingness to cross cultural and ethnic barriers and responding to the prior divine revelation concerning God's inclusive plan for all nations.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But 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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But 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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, when they came to Antioch, gave the good news about the Lord Jesus to the Greeks.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and there were certain of them men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who having entered into Antioch, were speaking unto the Hellenists, proclaiming good news--the Lord Jesus,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they were entered into Antioch, spoke also to the Greeks, preaching the Lord Jesus.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But there were certain of them, Cyprians and Cyrenians, who entering into Antioch spoke to the Greeks also, announcing the glad tidings of the Lord Jesus.

Context

This verse describes the crucial development that begins the Antioch church narrative. It highlights the initiative of certain evangelists who proactively preached to Gentiles, shifting the geographical and ethnic focus of the gospel's spread. This act directly challenges the earlier pattern described in the previous verse and sets the stage for the rapid growth and significance of the Antioch church, which will become a major hub for Gentile missions. This directly leads into the next verse where the

v.19They 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.

v.20This passage

v.21And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number that believed turned unto the Lord.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Corinthians 2:2

    For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

  • Matthew 27:32

    And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to go with them, that he might bear his cross.

  • Acts 4:36

    And Joseph, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of exhortation), a Levite, a man of Cyprus by race,

  • Acts 9:29

    preaching boldly in the name of the Lord: and he spake and disputed against the Grecian Jews; but they were seeking to kill him.

  • 1 Corinthians 1:23

    but we preach Christ crucified, unto Jews a stumblingblock, and unto Gentiles foolishness;

  • Acts 2:10

    in Phrygia and Pamphylia, in Egypt and the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and sojourners from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,

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