Acts 11:26
What does Acts 11:26 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 11:26 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 11:26 means
Barnabas successfully found Saul and brought him to Antioch, where they ministered together for a whole year. During this time, they taught a significant number of people, establishing a strong foundation for the burgeoning church composed of both Jews and Gentiles. It was in Antioch that the disciples were first officially called "Christians," a term likely used by outsiders but subsequently embraced by believers, signifying their distinct identity as followers of Christ and cementing their collective identity as a new people of God.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that even for a whole year they were gathered together with the church, and taught much people; and that the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that even for a whole year they were gathered together with the church, and taught much people; and that the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And when he had come across him, he took him to Antioch. And they were with the church there for a year, teaching the people; and the disciples were first given the name of Christians in Antioch.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and having found him, he brought him to Antioch, and it came to pass that they a whole year did assemble together in the assembly, and taught a great multitude, the disciples also were divinely called first in Antioch Christians.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And they conversed there in the church a whole year: and they taught a great multitude, so that at Antioch the disciples were first named Christians.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And having found [him], he brought him to Antioch. And so it was with them that for a whole year they were gathered together in the assembly and taught a large crowd: and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
Context
This verse describes the fruitful partnership of Barnabas and Saul in Antioch, highlighting their year-long teaching ministry and the significant growth of the church. The naming of the disciples as "Christians" is a historically significant detail, identifying the distinct identity of believers in this important Gentile center. This successful period of ministry with Saul sets the stage for the arrival of prophets from Jerusalem, further connecting Antioch to the wider Christian community of the time. This naturally prepares the reader for the next verse, which begins an account of the prophets.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 14:27
And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all things that God had done with them, and that he had opened a door of faith unto the Gentiles.
- Acts 11:20
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.
- 1 Corinthians 14:23
If therefore the whole church be assembled together and all speak with tongues, and there come in men unlearned or unbelieving, will they not say that ye are mad?
- Revelation 3:18
I counsel thee to buy of me gold refined by fire, that thou mayest become rich; and white garments, that thou mayest clothe thyself, and that the shame of thy nakedness be not made manifest; and eyesalve to anoint thine eyes, that thou mayest see.
- Matthew 28:19
Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit:
- 1 Peter 4:16
but if a man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name.
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