Acts 11:27

¶ And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.

And {G1161} in {G1722} these {G5025} days {G2250} came {G2718} prophets {G4396} from {G575} Jerusalem {G2414} unto {G1519} Antioch {G490}.

During this time, some prophets came down from Yerushalayim to Antioch;

In those days some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.

Now in these days there came down prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.

Commentary

Acts 11:27 KJV Commentary

The verse "And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch." provides a concise but significant detail about the dynamic growth and interconnectedness of the early Christian church.

Context

This verse follows a crucial period in the expansion of the Gospel. Earlier in Acts 11, we learn that believers, scattered by the persecution that arose after Stephen's martyrdom, preached the word not only to Jews but also to Gentiles in Antioch. This led to a large number of people believing and turning to the Lord. Barnabas was sent from Jerusalem to encourage this burgeoning community, and he subsequently brought Saul (Paul) from Tarsus to assist him. For a full year, Barnabas and Saul taught many people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called "Christians". It is "in these days" of significant growth and foundational teaching in Antioch that prophets arrived from Jerusalem, highlighting the ongoing relationship and spiritual flow between the mother church in Jerusalem and the vibrant, emerging Gentile church in Antioch.

Key Themes

  • The Role of Prophets in the Early Church: This verse underscores the presence and importance of prophetic ministry in the nascent Christian community. These were individuals divinely inspired to speak God's message, which could include foretelling events, but more commonly involved exhortation, comfort, and edification.
  • Interconnectedness of the Early Church: The journey of prophets from Jerusalem to Antioch demonstrates the strong ties and communication channels between different centers of early Christianity. Jerusalem remained a significant hub for spiritual authority and guidance, even as new churches flourished elsewhere.
  • Divine Guidance and Revelation: The arrival of prophets suggests that God continued to provide specific guidance and revelation to His people, particularly during times of rapid expansion and new challenges.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "prophets" is prophētai (προφῆται). In the New Testament, a prophet was not merely someone who predicted the future, but primarily a person who spoke forth God's message, acting as a mouthpiece for divine revelation. This often involved interpreting God's will, warning of impending judgment, or providing encouragement and instruction to the church, as described in 1 Corinthians 14:3, where prophecy is for "edification, and exhortation, and comfort." Their ministry was crucial for the spiritual health and direction of the early believers.

Significance and Application

Acts 11:27 highlights that God equips His church with various spiritual gifts and ministries for its edification and growth. The arrival of prophets from Jerusalem to Antioch was not accidental; it was a divine provision to guide, inform, and strengthen the believers there, particularly in preparation for future events such as the famine prophesied by Agabus in the very next verse (Acts 11:28). For believers today, this verse reminds us that God continues to provide guidance through His Word, through gifted individuals, and through the Holy Spirit's leading, often fostering connections between different parts of the body of Christ for mutual support and spiritual growth. It emphasizes the value of discerning God's voice and recognizing the diverse ways He communicates His will to His people.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 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.

  • 1 Corinthians 12:28

    And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

  • Ephesians 4:11

    And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

  • Acts 15:32

    And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed [them].

  • Acts 2:17

    And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

  • Matthew 23:34

    Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and [some] of them ye shall kill and crucify; and [some] of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute [them] from city to city:

  • 1 Corinthians 14:32

    And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
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