A.T. Robertson Commentary Acts 11:22

"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:" — Acts 11:22 (ASV)

Came to the ears (ηκουσθη εις τα ωτα). First aorist passive indicative of ακουω, was heard in the ears.

Of the church which was in Jerusalem (της εκκλησιας της εν Ιερουσαλημ). Not yet was the term "church" applied to the group of disciples in Antioch as it is in 11:26; 13:1.

They sent forth (εξαπεστειλαν). First aorist active indicative of the double compound verb εξ-απο-στελλω, to send out and away. The choice of Barnabas was eminently wise. He already had a position of leadership in Jerusalem because of his generosity (4:36f.) and his championship of Saul after his conversion (9:27). He was originally from Cyprus and probably had personal friends among some of the leaders in this new movement. He was to investigate the work of the travelling preachers (verse 19) all the way to Antioch (εως Αντιοχειας).