Acts 11:19

KJV

¶ Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.

KJV (with Strong's)

Now {G3767}{G3303} they which were scattered abroad {G1289} upon {G575} the persecution {G2347} that arose {G1096} about {G1909} Stephen {G4736} travelled {G1330} as far as {G2193} Phenice {G5403}, and {G2532} Cyprus {G2954}, and {G2532} Antioch {G490}, preaching {G2980} the word {G3056} to none {G3367} but {G1508} unto the Jews {G2453} only {G3440}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Now those who had been scattered because of the persecution which had arisen over Stephen went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch; they spoke God’s word, but only to Jews.

Berean Standard Bible

Meanwhile those scattered by the persecution that began with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the message only to Jews.

American Standard Version

They therefore that were scattered abroad upon the tribulation that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to none save only to Jews.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 11:19 serves as a crucial transitional verse, illustrating how the intense persecution following Stephen's martyrdom inadvertently became the primary catalyst for the Gospel's initial geographic expansion beyond Jerusalem. It details how scattered believers, fleeing the escalating violence, traveled to key regions like Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, yet initially confined their evangelistic efforts exclusively to Jewish communities, reflecting the early church's prevailing understanding of its mission.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse directly follows the account of Stephen's martyrdom in [Acts 7:54-60](/acts/7-54-60 "Acts 7:54-60 - Stephen's Martyrdom") and the subsequent "great persecution" that broke out against the church in Jerusalem, as detailed in [Acts 8:1-4](/acts/8-1-4 "Acts 8:1-4 - The Great Persecution and Dispersion"). The narrative in Acts 11:19 then picks up the thread of these dispersed believers, providing specific geographical destinations for their flight and highlighting the initial, ethnically exclusive nature of their evangelism. It sets the stage for the dramatic shift that occurs later in [Acts 11](/acts/11 "Acts 11 - The Church in Antioch and Gentile Inclusion"), where the Gospel is intentionally preached to Gentiles for the first time, marking a pivotal moment in the book's overarching theme of the Gospel's spread from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The persecution mentioned was a severe, state-sanctioned or religiously-sanctioned effort by Jewish authorities to suppress the burgeoning Christian movement, viewed as a heretical sect within Judaism. Stephen's execution by stoning, an act sanctioned by the Sanhedrin, escalated the conflict. Fleeing persecution was a common survival strategy in the ancient world. Phenice (Phoenicia), Cyprus, and Antioch were significant urban centers in the Hellenistic world, with established Jewish diasporas. Phenice was a coastal region north of Galilee, Cyprus a large island in the eastern Mediterranean, and Antioch in Syria was one of the largest cities in the Roman Empire, a major commercial and cultural hub. The "Jews only" restriction reflects the deeply ingrained Jewish identity of the early believers, who saw Jesus as the Jewish Messiah and His message primarily for Israel, aligning with the prophetic promises to Abraham's descendants.

* **Key Themes:** [Acts 11:19](/acts/11-19 "Acts 11:19 - The Dispersion and Initial Evangelism") powerfully illustrates the theme of **Persecution as a Catalyst for Growth**. What was intended to destroy the church in Jerusalem instead served as the divine means to spread the Gospel geographically, demonstrating God's sovereign ability to use adversity for His redemptive purposes, a pattern seen throughout salvation history. This verse also underscores the **Geographic Expansion of the Gospel**, as the believers moved outward from the initial epicenter in Jerusalem, laying the groundwork for the church's global mission. The mention of Antioch is particularly significant, as it would soon become the primary launching pad for Gentile missions, as seen in [Acts 13:1-3](/acts/13-1-3 "Acts 13:1-3 - Paul and Barnabas Sent Out"). Finally, the phrase "preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only" highlights the **Initial Focus on Jewish Evangelism**, a foundational understanding among the early apostles and disciples, which would soon be challenged and expanded upon through divine revelation and practical experience, such as Peter's encounter with Cornelius in [Acts 10](/acts/10 "Acts 10 - Peter and Cornelius").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **scattered abroad (Greek, _diaspeírō_):** From *dia* (through) and *speírō* (to sow), this word literally means "to sow throughout." It carries the powerful imagery of seeds being dispersed across a field, implying not a random, chaotic flight, but a purposeful, generative scattering. The persecution, therefore, was not merely a destructive force but an act of divine "sowing" that would lead to new spiritual growth in distant lands.
* **persecution (Greek, _thlîpsis_):** This term denotes "pressure," "affliction," or "tribulation." It describes the intense external hardship and distress faced by the early believers, specifically the violent opposition that arose in Jerusalem. The use of this word emphasizes the severe nature of the trials that forced the believers to flee, yet paradoxically facilitated the Gospel's spread.
* **only (Greek, _ei mḗ_ and _mónon_ with _Ioudaîos_):** The phrase "to none but unto the Jews only" is a strong double negative and adverbial emphasis. *Ei mḗ* means "if not" or "but, except (that)," setting up an exclusive condition. *Mónon* means "merely" or "only." Combined with *Ioudaîos* (Jew), it underscores the strict limitation of their evangelistic efforts to Jewish people, highlighting the prevailing ethnocentric view of the Gospel's reach at this early stage.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen":** This opening clause establishes the direct cause-and-effect relationship between the persecution, specifically the one initiated around Stephen's martyrdom, and the dispersion of believers. It highlights the involuntary nature of their movement, driven by external pressure rather than a deliberate missionary strategy. The "scattered abroad" imagery sets the stage for the unexpected fruitfulness of this forced dispersion.
* **"travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch":** This part specifies the geographical extent of their initial flight and subsequent settlement. Phenice (Phoenicia) and Cyprus were coastal and island regions with significant Jewish populations, while Antioch in Syria was a major Gentile city, though also home to a large Jewish community. These locations represent the first significant outward thrust of the Christian message beyond Judea and Samaria, fulfilling part of the mandate in [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - The Great Commission").
* **"preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only":** This final clause defines the scope and limitation of their evangelistic activity. Despite their geographic expansion, their theological understanding of the Gospel's target audience remained confined to their fellow Jews. This reflects the early church's initial, understandable focus on the covenant people of God, before the full implications of Jesus' universal commission were grasped and applied to the Gentiles.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 11:19 employs several potent literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as the persecution, intended to suppress the Christian movement, paradoxically becomes the very means by which it expands. The suffering of believers leads directly to the spread of the "word." **Metaphor** is powerfully at play in the Greek word *diaspeírō* ("scattered abroad"), which literally means "to sow throughout." This imagery transforms the forced flight of believers into the purposeful **sowing of seeds**, implying that the Gospel message, like scattered seeds, would take root and bear fruit in new territories. Furthermore, the listing of distinct geographical locations—Phenice, Cyprus, and Antioch—demonstrates **Geographic Progression**, illustrating the systematic, outward movement of the early church, setting the stage for the global mission that would unfold.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 11:19 profoundly illustrates God's sovereignty over human adversity, demonstrating His ability to orchestrate even the most hostile circumstances for the advancement of His kingdom. The persecution, a manifestation of human opposition, becomes a divine instrument for the Gospel's dissemination, transforming a moment of crisis into an opportunity for unprecedented growth. This principle underscores a recurring biblical theme: God's redemptive purposes are often realized through suffering and displacement, turning what appears to be a setback into a strategic move for His glory. This verse also highlights the gradual unfolding of God's plan for universal salvation, as the initial, ethnically exclusive focus of the early church would soon give way to a broader, inclusive mission to the Gentiles, catalyzed by events directly following this passage.

* [Philippians 1:12](/philippians/1-12 "Philippians 1:12 - Paul's Imprisonment for the Gospel")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works for Good")
* [Isaiah 55:10-11](/isaiah/55-10-11 "Isaiah 55:10-11 - God's Word Will Not Return Empty")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 11:19 offers a profound lesson for contemporary believers: God's purposes are often advanced not despite our difficulties, but through them. The forced dispersion of the early church, a painful and disruptive event, became the very means by which the Gospel reached new lands and peoples. This calls us to reframe our understanding of adversity, recognizing that even in moments of personal or collective "scattering"—whether through job loss, relocation, illness, or societal upheaval—God can use our displacement and suffering to open new doors for witness and ministry. It encourages us to remain faithful in sharing the "word" wherever we are, understanding that our ordinary lives, lived out in new contexts, can become extraordinary channels for God's redemptive work. This verse also challenges any lingering ethnocentric or exclusive tendencies in our evangelism, reminding us that the Gospel, though initially focused, is ultimately for all peoples.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How have you seen God use difficult or disruptive circumstances in your life to bring about unexpected good or open new opportunities for ministry?**
* **In what ways might we, like the early believers, be unintentionally limiting the scope of our evangelism?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the resilience of the church in the face of persecution, and how can we cultivate such resilience today?**

### FAQ

**What was the "persecution that arose about Stephen"?**
Answer: The persecution that arose about Stephen refers to the intense and violent opposition faced by the early Christian church in Jerusalem following the martyrdom of Stephen, as recorded in [Acts 7](/acts/7 "Acts 7 - Stephen's Speech and Martyrdom") and [Acts 8:1](/acts/8-1 "Acts 8:1 - The Great Persecution Begins"). Stephen, one of the first deacons, was stoned to death after delivering a powerful sermon that challenged the Jewish authorities. His death triggered a widespread crackdown on believers in Jerusalem, forcing many to flee the city and disperse into surrounding regions.

**Why did the scattered believers preach "to none but unto the Jews only"?**
Answer: The early believers were almost exclusively Jewish, and their understanding of the Messiah and the covenant promises was deeply rooted in their Jewish heritage. They naturally believed that the message of Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, was primarily for the Jewish people first. This initial focus is consistent with Jesus' own ministry, which was primarily to the "lost sheep of the house of Israel" ([Matthew 10:5-6](/matthew/10-5-6 "Matthew 10:5-6 - Jesus Sends Out the Twelve")), and the apostles' initial commission. It was only later, through divine revelation and practical experience (like Peter's encounter with Cornelius in [Acts 10](/acts/10 "Acts 10 - Peter and Cornelius")), that the church fully grasped the universal scope of the Gospel for all nations.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 11:19, while narrating a pivotal moment in the early church's expansion, implicitly points to Christ as the ultimate catalyst and purpose of this dispersion. The "word" they preached was the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Messiah who fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies and offered salvation to all who believe. The "persecution" they endured was a reflection of the world's hostility towards Christ and His followers, a reality Jesus Himself foretold ([John 15:20](/john/15-20 "John 15:20 - Persecution Foretold")). Yet, it is precisely through the suffering and death of Christ, followed by His resurrection and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, that the power to overcome such persecution and spread the message is given. The seemingly restrictive "Jews only" focus of these early evangelists would soon be broken by the Spirit's leading, fulfilling Jesus' Great Commission to make disciples of "all nations" ([Matthew 28:19](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19 - The Great Commission")). Thus, the scattering of believers, driven by the suffering that arose "about Stephen," ultimately served the sovereign plan of Christ to extend His redemptive reign from Jerusalem to the uttermost parts of the earth, demonstrating His power to transform human adversity into divine opportunity for the expansion of His kingdom ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - The Scope of the Mission")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 15:35

Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

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.

Acts 15:22

¶ Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; [namely], Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:

Acts 4:36

And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, [and] of the country of Cyprus,

Acts 21:2

And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth.

Acts 13:4

¶ So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.

Acts 13:1

¶ Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.