Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 11:19

"They therefore that were scattered abroad upon the tribulation that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to none save only to Jews." — Acts 11:19 (ASV)

Now they, etc. This verse introduces a new line of historical observation, and from this point, the course of the history of the Acts of the Apostles takes a new direction. Until now, the history had mainly recorded the preaching of the gospel to the Jews only. From this point, the history records the efforts made to convert the Gentiles. It begins with the labors undertaken in the important city of Antioch (Acts 11:19–20). Since the labors of the apostle Paul were especially sought during the work of grace that occurred in that city (Acts 11:25–26), the sacred writer thereafter confines the history mainly to his travels and labors.

Which were scattered abroad. See Acts 8:1.

As far as Phenice. Phenice, or Phoenicia, was a province of Syria, which in its largest sense included a narrow strip of country situated on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean, extending from Antioch to the borders of Egypt. However, Phenice Proper extended only from the cities of Laodicea to Tyre and included only the territories of Tyre and Sidon. This country was sometimes called Canaan. (See the commentary on Matthew 15:22).

And Cyprus. This is an island off the coast of Asia Minor, in the Mediterranean Sea. (See the commentary on Acts 4:36).

And Antioch. There were two cities of this name: one situated in Pisidia in Asia Minor , and the other, referred to here, situated on the river Orontes and long the capital of Syria. It was built by Seleucus Nicanor and named Antioch in honor of his father, Antiochus.

It was founded 301 BC. While not mentioned in the Old Testament, it is mentioned several times in the Apocrypha and the New Testament. For a long time, it was the most powerful city of the East, inferior only to Seleucia and Alexandria. It was famous because Seleucus conferred the right of citizenship upon the Jews, as well as the Greeks and Macedonians. Consequently, they had the privilege of worshiping in their own way here without disturbance.

It is probable that Christians would have been regarded merely as a sect of Jews and would have been allowed to celebrate their worship here without interruption. This might be why the early Christians considered this city particularly important: here they could find a refuge from persecution and be permitted to worship God without disturbance.

This city was honored as a Roman colony, a metropolis, and an asylum. It was large, was almost square, had many gates, was adorned with fountains, and was a city of great wealth. However, it was subject to earthquakes and was nearly destroyed several times. In the year 588, it experienced an earthquake in which 60,000 people were destroyed.

It was taken by the Saracens in AD 638. After some changes and revolutions, it was taken during the crusades by Godfrey of Bouillon on June 3, AD 1098, following a long and bloody siege. In 1268, it was taken by the sultan of Egypt, who demolished it and placed it under Turkish dominion. Antioch is now called Antakia and has about 10,000 inhabitants. (Robinson's Calmet).

Preaching the word. This means the word of God, the gospel.

To none but to the Jews only. They held the common prejudices of the Jews: that the offers of salvation were to be made only to Jews.