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Verse Takeaways
1
A Bold Step for the Gospel
Scholars emphasize that this verse marks a pivotal moment. While a textual debate exists, most commentators conclude that these believers from Cyprus and Cyrene preached not just to Greek-speaking Jews, but to non-Jewish Greeks (Gentiles). This was a "startlingly bold" move by anonymous believers, not the apostles, significantly expanding the church's mission beyond its Jewish origins.
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Acts
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Commentaries
7
Albert Barnes
On Acts 11:20
18th Century
Theologian
Were men of Cyprus and Cyrene. They were natives of Cyprus and Cyrene. Cyrene was a province and city of Libya in Africa. It is presently …
AT Robertson
On Acts 11:20
Spake (ελαλουν). Inchoative imperfect active, began to speak. For them it was an experiment.
Unto the Greeks also <…
Charles Ellicott
On Acts 11:20
19th Century
Bishop
And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene.—It is better to read, But some. These were, from the nature of the case, Hellenis…
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Expositor's Bible Commentary
On Acts 11:20
At Antioch, some of the Hellenistic Jewish Christians “began to speak to Greeks also.” Did Luke have in mind Gentiles who had no affiliation whatev…
John Calvin
On Acts 11:20
16th Century
Theologian
Luke declares at length that certain of them brought this treasure even to the Gentiles. And Luke calls these Grecians not Ελληνες, but Ελληνισται.…
John Gill
On Acts 11:20
17th Century
Pastor
And some of them were men of Cyprus
That is, some of the preachers, that were scattered abroad, were Jews born at Cy…
Matthew Henry
On Acts 11:19–24
17th Century
Minister
The first preachers of the gospel at Antioch were dispersed from Jerusalem by persecution; thus, what was meant to hurt the church was made to work…