Acts 11:21

KJV

And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} the hand {G5495} of the Lord {G2962} was {G2258} with {G3326} them {G846}: and {G5037} a great {G4183} number {G706} believed {G4100}, and turned {G1994} unto {G1909} the Lord {G2962}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number of people trusted and turned to the Lord.

Berean Standard Bible

The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.

American Standard Version

And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number that believed turned unto the Lord.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 11:21 marks a pivotal moment in the early church's expansion, illustrating the powerful and sovereign work of God in extending the Gospel beyond its initial Jewish confines. It succinctly describes how, through the divine enablement of the Lord, a significant number of people in Antioch embraced the Christian faith, demonstrating both intellectual assent and a transformative change of allegiance, laying the groundwork for Antioch to become a crucial missionary hub.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a crucial narrative shift in the book of Acts. It follows the account of the scattering of believers due to the intense persecution that arose after the martyrdom of Stephen in [Acts 7:58-60](/acts/7-58-60 "The Stoning of Stephen"). While earlier evangelistic efforts, like Philip's ministry in Samaria ([Acts 8:4-8](/acts/8-4-8 "Philip's Ministry in Samaria")), focused primarily on Jews and Samaritans, Acts 11 introduces a new, groundbreaking development. Believers from Cyprus and Cyrene, having fled to the cosmopolitan city of Antioch, began preaching the Lord Jesus not only to Jews but also, for the first time on a widespread scale, to Gentiles (Greeks). This bold, Spirit-led initiative directly precedes the church in Jerusalem hearing about these developments and sending Barnabas to investigate, leading to his recruitment of Saul (Paul) and their impactful ministry in Antioch. The verse thus serves as a powerful summary statement of the initial success of this Gentile mission.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Antioch, located in modern-day Turkey, was the third-largest city in the Roman Empire, after Rome and Alexandria. It was a vibrant, multicultural metropolis, a melting pot of Greek, Roman, and Syrian influences, and home to a significant Jewish diaspora. This diverse environment made it an ideal, though challenging, setting for the Gospel to transcend ethnic boundaries. Unlike Jerusalem, which was deeply rooted in Jewish tradition, Antioch offered a more open and less restrictive environment for the nascent Christian movement to embrace its universal calling. The early church in Antioch would soon become a major center for Gentile Christianity and the launching pad for Paul's missionary journeys, signifying a critical shift from a primarily Jewish sect to a global movement.

* **Key Themes:** Acts 11:21 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Acts. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the **Sovereignty and Empowerment of God** in the church's mission. The phrase "the hand of the Lord was with them" underscores that the remarkable growth was not due to human strategy alone but to divine intervention and enablement. This echoes themes seen earlier, such as the apostles performing signs and wonders because [the Lord was adding to their number daily](/acts/2-43-47 "The Early Church's Devotion and Growth"). Secondly, it highlights the **Expansion of the Gospel to the Gentiles**, a central theological thrust of Acts. This verse explicitly details the fruit of preaching "the Lord Jesus" to Greeks, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham that [all peoples on earth would be blessed through him](/genesis/12-3 "God's Promise to Abraham"). Finally, it defines **Genuine Conversion** as a dual process of "believed, and turned unto the Lord." This emphasizes that true faith involves both intellectual assent and a radical reorientation of one's life and allegiance, a concept consistently preached by the apostles, as seen in [Peter's sermon on Pentecost](/acts/2-38 "Peter's Call to Repentance").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **hand (Greek, _cheír'_):** From G5495, this word refers to the physical hand but is used here idiomatically to denote power, agency, or divine intervention. In the context of "the hand of the Lord," it signifies God's active presence, enabling power, and providential care. It is a common biblical expression, especially in the Old Testament, to describe God's direct involvement in human affairs, whether in judgment or blessing. Here, it conveys divine favor and effective assistance in the ministry of the early believers.
* **Lord (Greek, _kýrios'_):** From G2962, this term signifies supreme authority, a controller, or Master. It is a respectful title that can refer to God the Father or, as is often the case in the New Testament, to Jesus Christ. In this verse, "the Lord" refers to Jesus, emphasizing His divine authority and the focus of the believers' preaching and the converts' allegiance. The turning "unto the Lord" is a turning to Jesus as the sovereign Master and Savior.
* **believed (Greek, _pisteúō'_):** From G4100, this verb means "to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing)," "to credit," or "to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ)." It implies not merely intellectual assent to facts about Jesus but a personal trust and reliance upon Him for salvation. This belief is the foundational act of accepting the Gospel message.
* **turned (Greek, _epistréphō'_):** From G1994, this verb means "to revert," "to convert," or "to turn (about, again)." It signifies a decisive change of direction, a moral and spiritual reorientation. In the context of conversion, it implies repentance—a turning away from sin and former ways of life—and a turning towards God in allegiance and obedience. This word highlights the active, volitional component of genuine conversion that accompanies faith.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the hand of the Lord was with them:"** This clause attributes the success of the Antioch ministry directly to divine agency. "The hand of the Lord" is a powerful Old Testament idiom (e.g., [Exodus 9:3](/exodus/9-3 "The Hand of the Lord on Livestock"), [1 Samuel 7:13](/1_samuel/7-13 "The Hand of the Lord Against the Philistines")) signifying God's active, powerful, and favorable presence. It means God Himself was working through these believers, empowering their message and preparing hearts to receive it. Their human efforts were merely instruments in God's sovereign plan.
* **"and a great number believed,"** This phrase describes the initial human response to the Gospel message, enabled by God's presence. "A great number" (Greek: _polys arithmos_) indicates a significant, widespread conversion, reflecting the effectiveness of the Spirit-empowered preaching. "Believed" (Greek: _episteusan_) signifies that these individuals placed their trust and faith in Jesus Christ, accepting the truth of who He is and what He accomplished. This is the intellectual and volitional assent to the Gospel.
* **"and turned unto the Lord."** This final clause describes the transformative outcome of their belief, signifying genuine repentance and allegiance. "Turned unto the Lord" (Greek: _epestrepsan epi ton Kyrion_) indicates a decisive change of direction in their lives—a turning away from their former pagan practices, sinful lifestyles, or even a legalistic adherence to Judaism, and a turning towards Jesus Christ as their new Master and guide. This phrase encapsulates the holistic nature of conversion: it's not just believing *about* the Lord, but turning *to* Him in submission and obedience, marking a fundamental reorientation of life.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its profound meaning. The most prominent is **Idiom** in the phrase "the hand of the Lord." This is a well-established Old Testament expression, used to denote God's active power, presence, and sovereign intervention. Its use here immediately signals to the reader that the remarkable growth in Antioch was not a mere human achievement but a divinely orchestrated phenomenon. Additionally, the pairing of "believed, and turned" functions as a form of **Hendiadys** or a complementary pair, where two terms joined by "and" express a single, complex idea. It emphasizes that genuine conversion is not just intellectual assent (**believed**) but also a decisive reorientation of life and allegiance (**turned unto the Lord**), signifying a holistic transformation. The phrase "a great number" also serves as **Hyperbole** or **Generalization**, emphasizing the significant scale and impact of the conversions, highlighting the overwhelming success of the mission under God's hand.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 11:21 is a powerful theological statement about God's active involvement in the expansion of His kingdom and the nature of true conversion. The "hand of the Lord" signifies divine initiative and empowerment, reminding us that all genuine spiritual fruit is ultimately God's work, not merely human effort or strategy. This truth liberates believers from the burden of self-reliance in ministry, encouraging dependence on the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, the dual action of "believed, and turned unto the Lord" provides a concise yet comprehensive definition of conversion, emphasizing that saving faith is always accompanied by repentance—a decisive turning from sin and self to Christ as Lord. This holistic understanding of conversion is crucial for authentic discipleship and church growth, ensuring that new believers are truly transformed in their allegiance and lifestyle.

* [1 Corinthians 3:6-7](/1_corinthians/3-6-7 "God Gives the Growth")
* [Luke 24:47](/luke/24-47 "Repentance and Forgiveness Proclaimed")
* [Acts 2:38](/acts/2-38 "Peter's Call to Repentance and Baptism")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 11:21 offers profound encouragement and guidance for believers today. It reminds us that the effectiveness of our witness and ministry is not predicated on our eloquence, resources, or strategic brilliance, but on the active, enabling presence of "the hand of the Lord" with us. When we step out in faith to share the Gospel, we can do so with confidence, knowing that God is at work, preparing hearts and empowering our words. This verse also challenges us to pursue and proclaim a holistic understanding of conversion. It's not enough for people to simply "believe" intellectually; genuine faith must lead to a demonstrable "turning unto the Lord"—a radical reorientation of life, values, and allegiance towards Christ. This means our evangelism should call for both trust in Jesus and a commitment to follow Him, leading to transformed lives that reflect His lordship. May we be faithful instruments, trusting God's hand to bring forth a great harvest.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life or ministry do you need to more consciously rely on "the hand of the Lord" rather than your own strength or abilities?**
* **How does the dual emphasis on "believed, and turned unto the Lord" shape your understanding of genuine conversion?**
* **What practical steps can you take to "turn unto the Lord" more fully in your daily life, aligning your actions and priorities with His will?**
* **How might the example of the believers in Antioch, who preached to Gentiles despite previous norms, inspire you to share the Gospel in new or challenging contexts?**

### FAQ
**What does "the hand of the Lord was with them" signify in Acts 11:21?**

Answer: The phrase "the hand of the Lord was with them" is a powerful biblical idiom, frequently found in the Old Testament (e.g., [Exodus 9:3](/exodus/9-3 "The Hand of the Lord on Livestock"), [1 Samuel 7:13](/1_samuel/7-13 "The Hand of the Lord Against the Philistines")), that signifies God's active, powerful, and favorable presence. In Acts 11:21, it means that the remarkable success of the early believers in Antioch, particularly in converting a "great number" of Gentiles, was not merely due to their human efforts or persuasive abilities. Rather, it was God Himself who was sovereignly at work, empowering their message, opening hearts, and orchestrating the spiritual fruit. It underscores that spiritual growth and evangelistic breakthrough are ultimately divine achievements, with human agents serving as instruments of God's will.

**What is the significance of "believed, and turned unto the Lord" as a description of conversion?**

Answer: The phrase "believed, and turned unto the Lord" succinctly describes the two essential and complementary components of genuine conversion. "Believed" (Greek: _pisteúō_) refers to the act of placing faith and trust in Jesus Christ, accepting the truth of His person and work. It involves both intellectual assent and a personal commitment of trust. "Turned unto the Lord" (Greek: _epistréphō_) signifies repentance—a decisive change of direction, a reorientation of one's life away from sin, self, and false gods, and towards God in allegiance and obedience. This turning is not just a mental shift but a transformation of one's entire life and loyalty. Together, these two verbs emphasize that true conversion is holistic: it involves both a change of mind (faith) and a change of life (repentance), leading to a new relationship of submission and devotion to Jesus Christ as Lord. This holistic understanding is foundational to the Christian call, as seen in [Paul's summary of his ministry](/acts/26-20 "Paul's Testimony to Agrippa").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 11:21, while describing the early church's expansion, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ Himself. The "hand of the Lord" that was with the believers in Antioch is none other than the active power of the resurrected Christ, working through His Holy Spirit. It is Jesus, the "Lord" to whom "a great number believed, and turned," who is the object and source of this transformation. He is the one who, having accomplished salvation through His death and resurrection, continues to build His church, drawing all people to Himself ([John 12:32](/john/12-32 "Jesus Lifted Up")). The turning "unto the Lord" is a turning to Jesus as the Messiah, Savior, and King, who grants repentance and forgiveness of sins ([Acts 5:31](/acts/5-31 "Jesus Exalted to Give Repentance")). Through Him, those who were formerly alienated from God are now brought near ([Ephesians 2:13](/ephesians/2-13 "Brought Near by the Blood of Christ")), becoming new creations ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "New Creation in Christ")) in His kingdom of light ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Redemption Through Christ")). Thus, Acts 11:21 is a testament to the ongoing, victorious mission of Christ, who, through His Spirit and His people, continues to gather His elect from every tribe and nation, fulfilling His redemptive purpose.

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 2:47

Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Luke 1:66

And all they that heard [them] laid [them] up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.

Isaiah 59:1

¶ Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:

Acts 9:35

And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 1:5

For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

1 Corinthians 3:6

I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

1 Corinthians 3:7

So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.