Acts 11:4

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

But Peter rehearsed [the matter] from the beginning, and expounded [it] by order unto them, saying,

Complete Jewish Bible:

In reply, Kefa began explaining in detail what had actually happened:

Berean Standard Bible:

But Peter began and explained to them the whole sequence of events:

American Standard Version:

But Peter began, and expounded the matter unto them in order, saying,

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

But^{G1161} Peter^{G4074} rehearsed the matter from the beginning^{G756}, and expounded^{G1620} it by order^{G2517} unto them^{G846}, saying^{G3004},

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Acts 11:4

Acts 11:4 is a verse that captures a pivotal moment in the early Christian Church, reflecting the theme of the expansion of the Gospel to the Gentiles (non-Jews). This verse is part of the account where Peter, a leading apostle, defends his actions of entering the home of Cornelius, a Roman centurion, and preaching the Gospel to him and his household, resulting in their receiving the Holy Spirit. This was a significant departure from the Jewish tradition, which strictly separated Jews from Gentiles, considering them ritually unclean.

In the historical context, the early Church was primarily Jewish and initially struggled with the idea of Gentiles being included in God's salvation without first becoming Jews. Peter's vision, as described earlier in Acts 10, challenged this notion, and he understood that God was calling him to preach to the Gentiles. In Acts 11:4, Peter is recounting the events to the Jewish believers in Jerusalem who questioned his conduct. He methodically recounts the story "from the beginning" and "expounds it by order unto them," which means he carefully explains the sequence of events that led to his understanding that Gentiles should not be considered inferior or unworthy of the Gospel.

The verse underscores the theme of divine guidance in the early Church's decisions and the breaking down of ethnic barriers within the Christian community. Peter's detailed account serves to persuade the Jewish Christians that God's plan includes all people, regardless of their ethnic background, and that faith in Jesus Christ is the basis for salvation. This moment marks a significant turning point in the mission of the Church, setting the stage for the widespread preaching of the Gospel to the ends of the earth, as Jesus had commanded.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G1161
   There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δέ
   Transliteration: dé
   Pronunciation: deh
   Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
   
2. 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.
   
3. Strong's Number: G756
   There are 84 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἄρχομαι
   Transliteration: árchomai
   Pronunciation: ar'-khom-ahee
   Description: middle voice of ἄρχω (through the implication, of precedence); to commence (in order of time):--(rehearse from the) begin(-ning).
   
4. Strong's Number: G1620
   There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐκτίθημι
   Transliteration: ektíthēmi
   Pronunciation: ek-tith'-ay-mee
   Description: from ἐκ and τίθημι; to expose; figuratively, to declare:--cast out, expound.
   
5. Strong's Number: G2517
   There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καθεξῆς
   Transliteration: kathexēs
   Pronunciation: kath-ex-ace'
   Description: from κατά and ἑξῆς; thereafter, i.e. consecutively; as a noun (by ellipsis of noun) a subsequent person or time:--after(-ward), by (in) order.
   
6. 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.
   
7. Strong's Number: G3004
   There are 1244 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: λέγω
   Transliteration: légō
   Pronunciation: leg'-o
   Description: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.