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Acts 11:2

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And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,

And {G2532} when {G3753} Peter {G4074} was come up {G305} to {G1519} Jerusalem {G2414}, they that were of {G1537} the circumcision {G4061} contended {G1252} with {G4314} him {G846},

but when Kefa went up to Yerushalayim, the members of the Circumcision faction criticized him,

So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers took issue with him

And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,

Commentary

Acts 11:2 KJV describes a pivotal moment in the early Christian church, immediately following Peter's groundbreaking ministry to the Gentile centurion, Cornelius, in Caesarea. Upon Peter's return to Jerusalem, he was met with significant opposition from a specific group of believers.

Context

This verse directly follows the miraculous events of Acts chapter 10, where Peter, after a divine vision, preached the Gospel to Cornelius and his household. Crucially, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, and they spoke in tongues, leading Peter to command their baptism, despite them being uncircumcised Gentiles. This was a radical departure from the prevailing Jewish understanding that salvation was primarily for Jews, or for Gentiles who first converted to Judaism by undergoing circumcision and observing the Mosaic Law. Peter's actions challenged deeply held traditions within the early Christian community in Jerusalem, setting the stage for his defense in the verses that follow.

Key Themes

  • Internal Conflict in the Early Church: This verse highlights the significant theological and cultural tension within the nascent Christian movement. Not all believers immediately embraced the idea of Gentile inclusion without adherence to Jewish law, leading to controversy and debate.
  • Jewish-Gentile Relations: The "circumcision party" (or "those of the circumcision") represented a conservative faction of Jewish Christians who believed that Gentiles must be circumcised to be part of God's covenant people and, by extension, the church. This issue was a major point of contention that would eventually be formally addressed at the Jerusalem Council described in Acts 15.
  • The Expanding Scope of the Gospel: Despite the contention, Peter's actions, guided by the Holy Spirit, demonstrate God's clear intention to extend salvation and the blessings of the new covenant to all nations, breaking down traditional barriers.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "they that were of the circumcision" (Greek: peritomēs) refers to a distinct group of Jewish believers who strongly adhered to the Mosaic Law, especially the practice of circumcision, as a prerequisite for full inclusion in the community of faith. Their insistence stemmed from centuries of Jewish identity tied to this covenant sign. The word "contended" (Greek: diekrinonto) indicates a strong dispute, argument, or even a critical judgment, revealing the depth of their disagreement with Peter's actions and his association with uncircumcised Gentiles.

Practical Application and Reflection

Acts 11:2 serves as a reminder that even within communities of faith, new revelations or changes in practice can lead to significant disagreements and challenges. It underscores the importance of:

  • Openness to God's Leading: Being willing to re-evaluate traditions and preconceived notions when confronted with clear evidence of God's work, as Peter himself learned through his vision in Acts 10:17-20.
  • Gracious Dialogue: Peter's response in the following verses (Acts 11:4-17) is to patiently explain his actions and the divine intervention, rather than immediately dismissing his accusers. This highlights the value of testimony and reasoned discussion in resolving theological disputes.
  • Embracing Inclusivity: The narrative ultimately affirms God's desire for a global, diverse community of believers, where barriers of ethnicity, culture, or social status are broken down by the unifying power of the Gospel. This resonates with the broader biblical theme of unity in Christ found in Galatians 3:28.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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 10:45 (5 votes)

    And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

  • Acts 15:5 (2 votes)

    But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command [them] to keep the law of Moses.

  • Galatians 2:12 (2 votes)

    For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.

  • Galatians 2:14 (2 votes)

    But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before [them] all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

  • Acts 21:20 (2 votes)

    And when they heard [it], they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:

  • Acts 21:23 (2 votes)

    Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them;

  • Acts 15:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, [and said], Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.