John Calvin 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)

Those which were scattered abroad. Luke returns now to the former history (and to what followed in it). For he had said before that after Stephen was slain, the cruelty of the wicked increased, and many fled here and there for fear, so that the apostles were almost left alone in Jerusalem.

While the Church was thus torn apart, and fear or contempt of strangers caused those who had fled to keep silent, Luke declares that an event followed which no one would have hoped for.

For just as seed is sown so that it may bring forth fruit, so it happened through their flight and scattering that the gospel was spread in distant nations—the gospel which previously was contained within the walls of one city, as if in a barn.

Similarly, it happened that the name of Christ, passing over mountains and seas, flowed even to the furthest parts of the world. By this means, according to the prophecy of Isaiah, the consumption abounded in righteousness.

If so many godly men had not been expelled from Jerusalem, Cyprus would have heard nothing, Phoenicia would have heard nothing of Christ; indeed, Italy and Spain, which were further away, would have heard nothing.

But the Lord brought it about that from many torn members, more bodies arose. For how did it happen that churches were gathered in Rome and Puteoli, except that a few exiled men, and those who fled, had brought the gospel there with them?

And just as God at that time wonderfully frustrated the endeavors of Satan, so we need not doubt that even today He will achieve for Himself triumphs from the cross and persecution, so that the Church may grow together all the more, even though it is scattered abroad.

Phoenicia adjoins Syria and is near Galilee. Antioch is a most famous city of Syria, where it adjoins Cilicia.

Speaking to none. Perhaps they were hindered not only by fear of persecution, so that they dared not speak to the Gentiles, but also by that foolish religious scruple, in thinking that the children’s bread was thrown to the dogs. Nevertheless, Christ had commanded that the gospel should be preached to all the world after His resurrection (Mark 16:15).