Acts 11:21
What does Acts 11:21 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 11:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 11:21 means
The successful evangelism among the Greeks in Antioch was explicitly attributed to "the hand of the Lord." This divine empowerment led to a significant number of people believing and turning to the Lord. The phrase "the hand of the Lord" emphasizes God's sovereign involvement and blessing on their mission, indicating that this expansion to Gentiles was not merely human effort but a divinely ordained success. It confirmed the legitimacy of their ministry and the openness of Gentiles to the gospel message.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number that believed turned unto the Lord.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number that believed turned unto the Lord.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And the power of the Lord was with them, and a great number had faith and were turned to the Lord.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and the hand of the Lord was with them, a great number also, having believed, did turn unto the Lord.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And the hand of he Lord was with them: and a great number believing, were converted to the Lord.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And [the] Lord's hand was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.
Context
This verse immediately follows the description of the evangelists preaching to the Greeks, providing the divine affirmation and result of their efforts. The emphasis on "the hand of the Lord" underscores God's approval and active participation in this Gentile outreach. This success sets the stage for the Jerusalem church to hear the report and send Barnabas, validating the work and leading to the further establishment of the burgeoning church there, as addressed in verses 22 through 24.
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.
v.21This passage
v.22And the report concerning them came to the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas as far as Antioch:
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Chronicles 30:12
Also upon Judah came the hand of God to give them one heart, to do the commandment of the king and of the princes by the word of Jehovah.
- 1 Thessalonians 1:9
For they themselves report concerning us what manner of entering in we had unto you; and how ye turned unto God from idols, to serve a living and true God,
- Acts 4:4
But many of them that heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.
- Acts 6:7
And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
- Acts 26:18
to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in me.
- Nehemiah 2:18
And I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me, as also of the king’s words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for the good work.
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