Acts 11:1

¶ And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.

And {G1161} the apostles {G652} and {G2532} brethren {G80} that were {G5607} in {G2596} Judaea {G2449} heard {G191} that {G3754} the Gentiles {G1484} had {G1209} also {G2532} received {G1209} the word {G3056} of God {G2316}.

The emissaries and the brothers throughout Y’hudah heard that the Goyim had received the word of God;

The apostles and brothers throughout Judea soon heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.

Now the apostles and the brethren that were in Judæa heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.

Context

Acts 11:1 serves as a crucial transition point in the narrative of the early church, reporting the groundbreaking news of Gentile conversions back to the leadership in Jerusalem. This verse immediately follows the pivotal events detailed in Acts chapter 10, where the Apostle Peter, after a transformative vision, was led by the Holy Spirit to the house of Cornelius, a Roman centurion in Caesarea. There, Peter preached the Gospel, and Cornelius and his household became the first recorded Gentile converts to receive the Holy Spirit and be baptized, without first becoming Jewish proselytes. The news of this unprecedented event—that non-Jews had embraced the Christian faith—sent ripples through the Jewish-Christian community in Judaea, setting the stage for Peter's defense of his actions in the verses that follow.

Key Themes

  • The Expansion of the Gospel: This verse highlights the dramatic and divinely orchestrated spread of the Christian message beyond its initial Jewish confines. It underscores the fulfillment of Christ's commission to reach "the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8), demonstrating that God's plan of salvation was never meant to be exclusive to one ethnic group.
  • Inclusion of Gentiles: Acts 11:1 marks a significant moment in the breaking down of traditional barriers between Jews and Gentiles within the new covenant community. The news that Gentiles had "received the word of God" challenged deeply ingrained cultural and religious norms among Jewish believers, who had always viewed Gentiles as outside the covenant people.
  • Divine Initiative in Salvation: The fact that the Gentiles "had also received the word of God" implies that this was not merely a result of human evangelism but a sovereign act of God. It reinforces the theme that God is actively working to bring all people to Himself, offering salvation to everyone who believes, regardless of their background.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "received the word of God" (Greek: edexanto ton logon tou Theou) is significant. The verb edexanto (from dechomai) means to welcome, accept, or embrace. It implies more than just hearing the message; it denotes an active and willing reception, an inward appropriation of the Gospel that leads to genuine faith and transformation. This emphasizes that the Gentiles were not merely exposed to the message but truly believed and responded to it.

Practical Application

  • Breaking Down Barriers: This passage serves as a powerful reminder for believers today to actively work towards breaking down any social, cultural, ethnic, or economic barriers that might hinder the spread of the Gospel. God's love and salvation are for all people.
  • Embracing God's New Works: Just as the early church had to grapple with and eventually embrace God's revolutionary work among the Gentiles, we must remain open and adaptable to how God is moving in unexpected ways and among diverse groups in our contemporary world.
  • The Universality of the Church: Acts 11:1 reinforces the truth that the church is a global, multi-ethnic body, united by faith in Jesus Christ. This calls us to celebrate diversity and pursue unity within the body of Christ.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 22:27

    All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.

  • Malachi 1:11

    For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name [shall be] great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense [shall be] offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name [shall be] great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.

  • Romans 15:7

    ¶ Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

  • Romans 15:12

    And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.

  • Isaiah 32:15

    Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest.

  • Hosea 2:23

    And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to [them which were] not my people, Thou [art] my people; and they shall say, [Thou art] my God.

  • Acts 15:3

    And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back