Acts 11:27

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 11:27 details a significant moment in the early church's development, reporting the arrival of prophets from Jerusalem to the burgeoning Christian community in Antioch. This event underscores the interconnectedness of the nascent church, the active role of spiritual gifts, and God's providential guidance during a period of rapid expansion and the integration of Gentile believers into the body of Christ.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within a pivotal section of Acts that describes the expansion of the Gospel beyond its Jewish origins. Immediately preceding [Acts 11:27](/acts/11-27 "Acts 11:27 - Prophets Arrive in Antioch"), the narrative recounts the scattering of believers after Stephen's martyrdom, leading some to preach the word to Gentiles in Antioch, resulting in a large number of conversions ([Acts 11:19-21](/acts/11-19-21 "Acts 11:19-21 - Gospel Spreads to Gentiles in Antioch")). The Jerusalem church, upon hearing of this, sent Barnabas, who then brought Saul (Paul) from Tarsus. Together, they ministered in Antioch for a full year, teaching many people, and it was here that the disciples were first called "Christians" ([Acts 11:26](/acts/11-26 "Acts 11:26 - Disciples First Called Christians")). The phrase "in these days" directly links the arrival of these prophets to this period of significant growth, teaching, and the establishment of a vibrant, predominantly Gentile church in Antioch. The subsequent verse, [Acts 11:28](/acts/11-28 "Acts 11:28 - Agabus Prophesies Famine"), reveals the immediate purpose of their visit: a prophecy concerning a widespread famine.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Antioch, located in Syria, was one of the largest and most influential cities in the Roman Empire, a major commercial and cultural hub. Its diverse population, including a significant Hellenistic Jewish community, made it fertile ground for the Gospel's spread to Gentiles. Unlike Jerusalem, which remained the traditional center of Jewish Christianity, Antioch became the primary base for Gentile missions, embodying the church's universal reach. The arrival of prophets from Jerusalem highlights the spiritual authority and continued connection between the mother church and its burgeoning daughter congregations. In both Jewish and early Christian contexts, prophets were divinely inspired individuals who spoke God's message, often providing guidance, exhortation, or foretelling future events. Their presence in Antioch signifies a recognition of the new community's importance and a divine intention to guide its development.
* **Key Themes:** The arrival of prophets from Jerusalem to Antioch contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Acts. Firstly, it underscores the **Holy Spirit's guidance and empowerment** in the church's expansion, demonstrating that God actively directs His people through gifted individuals. Secondly, it highlights the **interconnectedness and unity of the early church**, showing strong ties and communication between different geographical centers, particularly between the Jewish-Christian hub of Jerusalem and the Gentile-focused church in Antioch. This spiritual flow fostered mutual support and shared revelation. Thirdly, the verse emphasizes the **importance and function of spiritual gifts, specifically prophecy**, within the nascent Christian community. Prophets were crucial for providing divine insight, instruction, and warnings, as exemplified by Agabus's subsequent prophecy in [Acts 11:28](/acts/11-28 "Acts 11:28 - Agabus's Prophecy of Famine"). This divine provision ensured the church was equipped to navigate its challenges and fulfill its mission.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **prophets (Greek, _prophḗtēs'_):** (G4396) From a compound of πρό (pro, "before" or "forth") and φημί (phēmí, "to speak"), meaning "a foreteller" or, by analogy, "an inspired speaker." In the New Testament, a prophet was primarily one who spoke forth God's message, acting as a mouthpiece for divine revelation. This role often involved exhortation, comfort, edification, and sometimes foretelling future events, as seen with Agabus.
* **came (Greek, _katérchomai'_):** (G2718) From κατά (katá, "down") and ἔρχομαι (érchomai, "to come or go"), meaning "to come (or go) down." This verb implies a journey from a higher elevation to a lower one, which is geographically accurate for travel from Jerusalem (situated on a hill) to Antioch (at a lower elevation). It suggests a deliberate journey with a specific purpose.
* **days (Greek, _hēméra'_):** (G2250) Literally meaning "day," but figuratively, "a period" (always defined more or less clearly by the context). The phrase "in these days" (ἐν ταύταις ταῖς ἡμέραις) indicates a specific, contemporary period, directly linking the arrival of the prophets to the flourishing and foundational work of Barnabas and Saul in Antioch, as described in the preceding verses.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ And in these days":** This phrase serves as a temporal connector, linking the arrival of the prophets to the previously described period of significant growth and teaching in Antioch, where Barnabas and Saul were ministering and the disciples were first called "Christians." It establishes the immediate historical context for the event.
* **"came prophets":** This signifies the arrival of individuals recognized as possessing the spiritual gift of prophecy. Their coming was not accidental but a divinely orchestrated event, indicating God's active involvement in guiding and informing the burgeoning church in Antioch. Their role was to speak God's word, whether for exhortation, comfort, or revelation of future events.
* **"from Jerusalem":** This specifies the origin of the prophets, highlighting the continued spiritual authority and connection of the mother church in Jerusalem to the expanding Christian movement. It underscores the unity of the early church despite geographical distance and the diverse backgrounds of its members.
* **"unto Antioch":** This identifies the destination, emphasizing Antioch's growing importance as a major center for the Gentile mission. The fact that prophets traveled to Antioch indicates that this community was significant enough to warrant direct divine communication and guidance from the spiritual heartland of early Christianity.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Historical Reporting**, presenting a concise factual statement about an event. It functions as a **Narrative Transition**, smoothly moving the story from the general account of Antioch's growth and the ministry of Barnabas and Saul to the specific event of the prophets' arrival, which immediately sets the stage for Agabus's significant prophecy in the following verse. The simple declarative sentence structure lends an air of objective truth to the account. There is also an element of **Implication**; the very act of prophets traveling from Jerusalem to Antioch implies the importance of the Antiochian church and the divine intention behind their visit, suggesting a specific purpose beyond a casual visit.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 11:27 powerfully illustrates God's ongoing commitment to guiding and equipping His church through the Holy Spirit. The presence of prophets signifies that divine revelation was not limited to the apostles but extended through various gifted individuals for the edification and direction of the wider body of Christ. This passage underscores the vital role of spiritual gifts in the early church's growth and stability, demonstrating how God provided specific insights and warnings to prepare His people for future challenges. The journey of these prophets from Jerusalem to Antioch also highlights the essential unity and interconnectedness of the early Christian communities, emphasizing a shared spiritual heritage and a mutual reliance on God's word, regardless of geographical or cultural distinctions.

* [1 Corinthians 12:28](/1_corinthians/12-28 "1 Corinthians 12:28 - God Appoints Gifts in the Church")
* [Ephesians 4:11-12](/ephesians/4-11-12 "Ephesians 4:11-12 - Christ Gives Gifts for Equipping the Saints")
* [1 Corinthians 14:3](/1_corinthians/14-3 "1 Corinthians 14:3 - Purpose of Prophecy: Edification, Exhortation, Comfort")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The arrival of prophets in Antioch serves as a profound reminder that God actively engages with and guides His people. In a time of rapid expansion and new challenges for the early church, God did not leave them without direction but provided specific, timely revelation through gifted individuals. This principle remains relevant for believers today: God continues to speak and guide His church, primarily through His written Word, but also through the Holy Spirit's leading, and through individuals whom He has gifted for teaching, discernment, and encouragement. We are called to cultivate a posture of listening and discernment, recognizing that God's voice can come through various channels within the body of Christ. The interconnectedness of the early church also challenges us to value and foster unity across different congregations and denominations, recognizing that we are all part of one body, called to support and edify one another for the common mission of the Gospel.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I recognize and respond to God's guidance in my life and in the life of my church community?**
* **What spiritual gifts has God given me, and how am I using them to build up the body of Christ?**
* **In what ways can my local church better connect with and support the broader Christian community, reflecting the interconnectedness seen in Acts 11:27?**
* **How does the historical role of prophets inform my understanding of discerning God's voice today?**

### FAQ

**What was the primary role of prophets in the early church as depicted in Acts?**

Answer: In the early church, prophets were divinely inspired individuals who spoke forth God's message, primarily for the purpose of edification, exhortation, and comfort for the believers, as described in [1 Corinthians 14:3](/1_corinthians/14-3 "1 Corinthians 14:3 - Purpose of Prophecy"). While they occasionally foretold future events, such as Agabus's prophecy of a famine in [Acts 11:28](/acts/11-28 "Acts 11:28 - Agabus Prophesies Famine"), their main function was to communicate God's will, provide divine insight, and offer guidance to the nascent Christian communities, helping them to grow in faith and navigate challenges. They were foundational to the church, alongside apostles, as mentioned in [Ephesians 2:20](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Built on the Foundation of Apostles and Prophets").

**Why was it significant that these prophets came specifically from Jerusalem to Antioch?**

Answer: The journey of prophets from Jerusalem to Antioch was highly significant for several reasons. Jerusalem was the birthplace of the church and remained its spiritual and administrative center, representing its Jewish roots and apostolic authority. Antioch, on the other hand, had rapidly emerged as a vibrant, multi-ethnic Christian hub, particularly significant for its large number of Gentile converts. The arrival of prophets from Jerusalem to Antioch symbolized the unity and interconnectedness of the early church, demonstrating that the Jerusalem leadership acknowledged and supported the work among Gentiles. It also underscored that divine guidance and spiritual gifts were essential for the entire body of Christ, not just the original community. This visit served to strengthen the bonds between the two major centers of early Christianity and prepare the Antiochian church for future challenges, as evidenced by Agabus's subsequent prophecy.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Acts 11:27 focuses on the role of human prophets in the early church, it ultimately points to Christ as the ultimate Prophet and the source of all divine revelation. Before the coming of Christ, God spoke through various prophets in many ways ([Hebrews 1:1](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1 - God Spoke Through Prophets")). However, in these last days, God has spoken to us definitively through His Son ([Hebrews 1:2](/hebrews/1-2 "Hebrews 1:2 - God Spoke Through His Son")). Jesus Christ is the Word made flesh, the perfect and complete revelation of God ([John 1:1-14](/john/1-1-14 "John 1:1-14 - The Word Became Flesh")). The prophets in Antioch, like all true prophets, served to communicate God's will and prepare His people, ultimately pointing to the one who perfectly embodies and fulfills God's message. The guidance provided by the Holy Spirit through these prophets was a continuation of Christ's work, as He promised the Spirit would guide His disciples into all truth ([John 16:13](/john/16-13 "John 16:13 - The Spirit of Truth Will Guide You")). Thus, the arrival of prophets in Antioch underscores that the growth and direction of the church are always ultimately centered on Christ, the Head of the Church, who continues to equip His body with gifts for its edification and mission until His return.

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 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.