Acts 11:22

KJV

Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G1161} tidings {G3056} of {G4012} these things {G846} came {G191} unto {G1519} the ears {G3775} of the church {G1577} which {G3588} was in {G1722} Jerusalem {G2414}: and {G2532} they sent forth {G1821} Barnabas {G921}, that he should go {G1330} as far as {G2193} Antioch {G490}.

Complete Jewish Bible

News of this reached the ears of the Messianic community in Yerushalayim, and they sent Bar-Nabba to Antioch.

Berean Standard Bible

When news of this reached the ears of the church in Jerusalem, they sent Barnabas to Antioch.

American Standard Version

And the report concerning them came to the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas as far as Antioch:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 11:22 marks a pivotal moment in the early Christian movement, detailing the Jerusalem church's official response to the groundbreaking news of widespread Gentile conversions in Antioch. This verse highlights the crucial step taken by the nascent church leadership to acknowledge, investigate, and integrate the rapidly expanding multi-ethnic Christian community, demonstrating a commitment to oversight and unity as the Gospel continued its outward trajectory beyond its Jewish origins.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a critical narrative shift in the book of Acts, following the persecution that scattered believers after Stephen's martyrdom. [Acts 11:19-21](/acts/11-19-21 "Acts 11:19-21 - Gospel Spreads to Gentiles") describes how some of these scattered disciples, specifically men from Cyprus and Cyrene, ventured to Antioch and, breaking from the tradition of preaching only to Jews, began proclaiming the Lord Jesus to Gentiles. The extraordinary result was that "a great number believed and turned to the Lord," signifying a powerful and unexpected outpouring of the Holy Spirit among non-Jews. Acts 11:22 then serves as the immediate consequence of this report, illustrating the Jerusalem church's necessary and measured reaction to this unprecedented development, which challenged their existing understanding of the Gospel's reach.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The early church in Jerusalem was deeply rooted in Jewish tradition and culture, with many believers still observing Jewish customs and laws. The concept of Gentiles being included in God's covenant people without first converting to Judaism was a revolutionary idea, previously explored in Peter's experience with Cornelius in [Acts 10](/acts/10 "Acts 10 - Peter and Cornelius"). The news from Antioch, therefore, presented a significant theological and practical challenge to the predominantly Jewish leadership in Jerusalem. Antioch, a major Hellenistic city and the third-largest city in the Roman Empire, was a melting pot of cultures, making it fertile ground for a diverse Christian community but also a place where the boundaries of Jewish-Gentile relations would be severely tested. The Jerusalem church's decision to send Barnabas reflects an attempt to understand and validate this new work within the broader framework of apostolic authority and Jewish Christian identity.
* **Key Themes:** Acts 11:22 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Acts. Firstly, it underscores the **Expansion of the Gospel** beyond ethnic and cultural boundaries, demonstrating God's universal redemptive plan, as prophesied in [Isaiah 49:6](/isaiah/49-6 "Isaiah 49:6 - Light to the Gentiles") and commanded by Christ in [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - The Great Commission"). Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Church Unity and Apostolic Oversight**, showing how the central church in Jerusalem sought to maintain cohesion and provide guidance for new, rapidly growing Christian communities. This proactive engagement prevented fragmentation and fostered a sense of shared mission. Finally, the selection of Barnabas emphasizes the theme of **Godly Leadership and Discernment**. Barnabas's character, described elsewhere as "a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith" ([Acts 11:24](/acts/11-24 "Acts 11:24 - Barnabas's Character")), made him an ideal envoy to assess and affirm the work among the Gentiles, showcasing the importance of Spirit-led, empathetic leadership in navigating new frontiers of ministry.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **tidings (Greek, _lógos'_):** From G3056, this term refers to "something said," a "report," or "message." In this context, it signifies the verbal account or news that reached the Jerusalem church concerning the remarkable success of the Gospel among the Gentiles in Antioch. It indicates that the information was communicated directly and clearly, prompting a decisive response.
* **church (Greek, _ekklēsía'_):** From G1577, meaning "a calling out," this word refers to a "religious congregation" or "Christian community." Here, it specifically denotes the established Christian community in Jerusalem, which served as the early epicenter of the faith and held a position of authority and oversight over the burgeoning movement. The term highlights the organized and communal nature of early Christianity.
* **sent forth (Greek, _exapostéllō'_):** From G1821, this verb means "to send away forth," "to despatch," or "to send on a mission." The use of this strong verb indicates that Barnabas was not merely dispatched casually but was officially commissioned by the Jerusalem church with authority and purpose. This was a deliberate, formal delegation, underscoring the importance and gravity of his assignment to Antioch.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem:":** This clause establishes the causal link between the events in Antioch (Gentile conversions) and the reaction in Jerusalem. The "tidings" (report) of the widespread belief among Gentiles reached the central leadership of the early Christian movement. The phrase "came unto the ears" is an idiomatic expression signifying that the news was heard and understood by the collective body of the church in Jerusalem, particularly its leaders.
* **"and they sent forth Barnabas,":** This marks the decisive action taken by the Jerusalem church. Their response was not one of rejection or immediate condemnation, but a strategic and authoritative dispatch. The choice of Barnabas, a respected leader known for his encouraging nature and spiritual maturity, was crucial for the sensitive mission of assessing and validating the Gentile work. His sending signifies the Jerusalem church's desire for informed oversight and unity.
* **"that he should go as far as Antioch.":** This specifies the destination and purpose of Barnabas's mission. He was sent to Antioch to personally observe and engage with the new community of Gentile believers. The phrase "as far as Antioch" emphasizes the distance and the reach of the Gospel, indicating that the Jerusalem church was extending its care and influence to a significant, distant center of Christian growth.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Metonymy** in the phrase "came unto the ears of the church," where "ears" stand in for the collective hearing and understanding of the church body, particularly its leadership. This device succinctly conveys that the news was received and processed by the community. There is also an element of **Narrative Progression**, as this verse acts as a direct response to the preceding narrative of Gentile conversions, propelling the story forward and setting the stage for Barnabas's crucial role in Antioch. The choice of the verb "sent forth" (**exapostéllō**) itself carries a sense of **Official Authority** and **Purposeful Action**, emphasizing the deliberate and sanctioned nature of Barnabas's mission by the Jerusalem church.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 11:22 is a powerful testament to the Holy Spirit's sovereign work in expanding the boundaries of God's kingdom beyond preconceived human limitations. The Jerusalem church's response, rather than being one of immediate suspicion or rejection, was a Spirit-led decision to investigate and validate the genuine work of God among the Gentiles. This highlights a critical theological principle: God's redemptive plan is universal, embracing all nations, and the church is called to discern and cooperate with His expansive purposes, even when they challenge established traditions. The sending of Barnabas underscores the importance of wise, Spirit-filled leadership in fostering unity and affirming God's diverse work within His global church.

* [Acts 15:1-2](/acts/15-1-2 "Acts 15:1-2 - The Jerusalem Council")
* [Galatians 2:7-10](/galatians/2-7-10 "Galatians 2:7-10 - Paul and Peter's Agreement")
* [Ephesians 2:11-16](/ephesians/2-11-16 "Ephesians 2:11-16 - One New Humanity in Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The Jerusalem church's response to the Antioch revival offers profound lessons for contemporary believers and church leaders. It challenges us to cultivate a posture of openness and discernment towards new movements of the Holy Spirit, even when they arise in unexpected places or among unfamiliar groups. Rather than reacting with fear or exclusion, the example of Jerusalem encourages a spirit of investigation, affirmation, and integration. It emphasizes the importance of sending out leaders who, like Barnabas, are not only doctrinally sound but also characterized by encouragement, faith, and the Holy Spirit, capable of building bridges and fostering unity across cultural and theological divides. Ultimately, this passage calls us to prioritize the expansive mission of the Gospel over our comfort zones, ensuring that the church remains a dynamic, unified body, responsive to God's ongoing work in the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does my own church or ministry typically respond to new or unconventional expressions of faith?**
* **In what ways can I, or my community, embody the "Barnabas spirit" of encouragement, discernment, and bridge-building in diverse contexts?**
* **What traditions or preconceived notions might be hindering the full embrace of God's diverse work in the world today?**

### FAQ

**Why was it significant that the news came to the "church which was in Jerusalem"?**

Answer: The church in Jerusalem held a unique and authoritative position as the birthplace of the Christian movement and the home of the apostles. As such, it served as the central hub for theological discernment and organizational oversight for the burgeoning Christian communities. The fact that the "tidings" of Gentile conversions in Antioch reached them meant that this groundbreaking development was brought before the primary leadership, requiring an official response and validation. This ensured that the expansion of the Gospel to the Gentiles was recognized and integrated into the broader apostolic understanding, rather than being dismissed as an isolated or illegitimate phenomenon. It underscored the importance of unity and accountability within the early church, particularly concerning such a revolutionary shift in its demographic composition.

**What was the significance of sending Barnabas specifically?**

Answer: The choice of Barnabas was highly significant and strategic. Barnabas, whose name means "Son of Encouragement" ([Acts 4:36](/acts/4-36 "Acts 4:36 - Barnabas, Son of Encouragement")), was known for his generous spirit, spiritual maturity, and discerning character. He was described as "a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith" ([Acts 11:24](/acts/11-24 "Acts 11:24 - Barnabas's Character")). Crucially, he had previously demonstrated an inclusive spirit by vouching for Saul (Paul) when the Jerusalem disciples were wary of him ([Acts 9:27](/acts/9-27 "Acts 9:27 - Barnabas Vouches for Saul")). His reputation made him the ideal person to assess the Gentile work in Antioch with an open mind, affirm its authenticity, and integrate these new believers into the wider Christian fellowship, fostering unity rather than division.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 11:22, while seemingly a logistical detail, profoundly illustrates the Christ-centered fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. The news of Gentiles turning to the Lord in Antioch is a direct outworking of Christ's Great Commission, where He commanded His disciples to make disciples of "all nations" ([Matthew 28:19](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19 - The Great Commission")). Jesus Himself had foreshadowed this universal reach, speaking of other sheep "not of this fold" whom He must bring ([John 10:16](/john/10-16 "John 10:16 - Jesus, the Good Shepherd")). The sending of Barnabas by the Jerusalem church, the very heart of the early Christian movement, signifies the church's growing understanding and embrace of Christ's cosmic reign and His breaking down of the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile, creating "one new humanity" in Himself ([Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Our Peace")). Ultimately, the expansion of the church to Antioch, affirmed by Jerusalem, is a testament to Christ's ongoing work as the head of the church, drawing people from every tribe, tongue, and nation into His body, fulfilling the ancient prophecies of a global people redeemed by the Lamb of God ([Revelation 5:9-10](/revelation/5-9-10 "Revelation 5:9-10 - The Lamb is Worthy")).

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 9:27

But Barnabas took him, and brought [him] to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

Acts 11:1

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

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 8:14

¶ Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

Acts 15:2

When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

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 4:37

Having land, sold [it], and brought the money, and laid [it] at the apostles' feet.