King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,
Complete Jewish Bible:
but when Kefa went up to Yerushalayim, the members of the Circumcision faction criticized him,
Berean Standard Bible:
So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers took issue with him
American Standard Version:
And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And{G2532} when{G3753} Peter{G4074} was come up{G305} to{G1519} Jerusalem{G2414}, they that were of{G1537} the circumcision{G4061} contended{G1252} with{G4314} him{G846},
Cross-References (KJV):
Acts 10:45
- And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 15:5
- But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command [them] to keep the law of Moses.
Galatians 2:12
- For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.
Galatians 2:14
- But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before [them] all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
Acts 21:20
- And when they heard [it], they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:
Acts 21:23
- Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them;
Acts 15:1
- ¶ And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, [and said], Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Acts 11:2
Acts 11:2 is a verse that captures a pivotal moment in the early Christian church, highlighting the tension between Jewish Christians (those of the circumcision) and the growing number of Gentile (non-Jewish) converts. The historical context of this verse is rooted in the early years following the resurrection of Jesus Christ, when the apostles and early believers were navigating the implications of the Gospel for both Jews and Gentiles.
In this verse, Peter has returned to Jerusalem after a significant event in Caesarea, as recounted in Acts 10, where he preached the Gospel to Cornelius, a Roman centurion, and his household. This was a groundbreaking occurrence because Cornelius and his family were Gentiles, and they received the Holy Spirit just as the Jewish believers had at Pentecost. This event was a clear sign that God's salvation was intended for all people, not just the Jews.
Upon Peter's return to Jerusalem, he faced criticism from some Jewish Christians who were strict adherents to the Mosaic Law, including the practice of circumcision. They contended with him, questioning how he could associate with uncircumcised Gentiles and eat with them, which was against Jewish dietary laws and customs. This confrontation reflects the broader theme of the struggle to understand the new covenant in Christ, which fulfilled the Law but was not bound by its ritual requirements.
The controversy sparked by Peter's actions would eventually lead to the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15), where the early church leaders would officially decide on the status of Gentile believers within the Christian community. This decision would have far-reaching implications, shaping the universal nature of the Christian faith and its message of salvation and inclusion for all people, regardless of ethnic or religious background. Acts 11:2 thus stands as a testament to the early church's grappling with the radical inclusivity of the Gospel, a theme that remains central to Christian theology and identity.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G2532
There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καί
Transliteration: kaí
Pronunciation: kahee
Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet. - Strong's Number: G3753
There are 105 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὅτε
Transliteration: hóte
Pronunciation: hot'-eh
Description: from ὅς and τέ; at which (thing) too, i.e. when:--after (that), as soon as, that, when, while. - Strong's Number: G4074
There are 157 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: Πέτρος
Transliteration: Pétros
Pronunciation: pet'-ros
Description: apparently a primary word; a (piece of) rock (larger than λίθος); as a name, Petrus, an apostle:--Peter, rock. Compare Κηφᾶς. - Strong's Number: G305
There are 410 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀναβαίνω
Transliteration: anabaínō
Pronunciation: an-ab-ah'-ee-no
Description: from ἀνά and the base of βάσις; to go up (literally or figuratively):--arise, ascend (up), climb (go, grow, rise, spring) up, come (up). - Strong's Number: G1519
There are 1513 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εἰς
Transliteration: eis
Pronunciation: ice
Description: a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively). - Strong's Number: G2414
There are 59 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: Ἱεροσόλυμα
Transliteration: Hierosólyma
Pronunciation: hee-er-os-ol'-oo-mah
Description: of Hebrew origin (יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם); Hierosolyma (i.e. Jerushalaim), the capitol of Palestine:--Jerusalem. Compare Ἱερουσαλήμ. - Strong's Number: G1537
There are 761 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐκ
Transliteration: ek
Pronunciation: ex
Description: a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote):--after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, …ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out). Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion. - Strong's Number: G4061
There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: περιτομή
Transliteration: peritomḗ
Pronunciation: per-it-om-ay'
Description: from περιτέμνω; circumcision (the rite, the condition or the people, literally or figuratively):--X circumcised, circumcision. - Strong's Number: G1252
There are 18 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: διακρίνω
Transliteration: diakrínō
Pronunciation: dee-ak-ree'-no
Description: from διά and κρίνω; to separate thoroughly, i.e. (literally and reflexively) to withdraw from, or (by implication) oppose; figuratively, to discriminate (by implication, decide), or (reflexively) hesitate:--contend, make (to) differ(-ence), discern, doubt, judge, be partial, stagger, waver. - Strong's Number: G4314
There are 674 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πρός
Transliteration: prós
Pronunciation: pros
Description: a strengthened form of πρό; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e. pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of, i.e. near to; usually with the accusative case, the place, time, occasion, or respect, which is the destination of the relation, i.e. whither or for which it is predicated):--about, according to , against, among, at, because of, before, between, (where-)by, for, X at thy house, in, for intent, nigh unto, of, which pertain to, that, to (the end that), X together, to (you) -ward, unto, with(-in). In the comparative case, it denotes essentially the same applications, namely, motion towards, accession to, or nearness at. - Strong's Number: G846
There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: αὐτός
Transliteration: autós
Pronunciation: ow-tos'
Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.