Acts 11:1
Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The most striking part of this verse is how quickly the news spread and the reaction it caused among the believers in Judea. It wasn't just that Gentiles were hearing about God, but that they were receiving the word, which meant a radical shift in their understanding of God's plan, a shift that would lead to significant controversy.
News travels fast, and this incredible report that God's message was being received by Gentiles—people outside the Jewish nation—causes quite a stir among the apostles and believers back in Judea. This announcement, stemming from Peter's recent experiences in Caesarea, directly challenges their long-held assumptions about who God's people are and how salvation works. They're about to grapple with the profound implications of the gospel breaking beyond its Jewish boundaries, setting the stage for a major shift in the early church's understanding.
Imagine hearing news that completely shatters your worldview. That's what the early believers in Judea experienced when word spread about the Gentiles embracing God's message.
For devout Jews, the idea of Gentiles—people outside their covenant and traditions—receiving God's word and favor was almost unthinkable. They saw themselves as the chosen people, and their religious practices, like circumcision, were deeply tied to that identity.
When news arrived that uncircumcised Gentiles were not only hearing but receiving the word of God, it sent ripples of shock and even alarm through the church in Judea. This wasn't just a minor update; it was a paradigm shift, challenging deeply ingrained assumptions about God's plan and who belonged to His people.
How did this world-changing news travel so fast? The movement of this message reveals more than just gossip; it shows the Holy Spirit at work, pushing the boundaries of the early church.
The text tells us that the apostles and brothers in Judea heard the news. This implies that the message originating from Caesarea (where Peter encountered Cornelius) didn't stay put. It traveled, likely carried by individuals, spreading from person to person, community to community.
This wasn't a top-down announcement from Jerusalem; it was organic. The news 'heard' by the Judean believers suggests that the implications of Gentiles receiving the gospel were profound and prompted discussion, questioning, and ultimately, a need for explanation, as seen in the subsequent chapters.
Understand the original words
apostolos · Greek Noun
Refers to the twelve chosen messengers of Jesus and, more broadly, those commissioned by the resurrected Christ to carry the gospel to the world; it signifies an official witness and authoritative representative of Christ.
ethnos · Greek Noun
In the New Testament, this refers to those outside the covenant community of Israel. It denotes all peoples who are not ethnic Jews and, by extension, those who do not yet know the true God.
logos tou Theou · Greek Noun
Refers to the message of salvation, the gospel of Jesus Christ, or the revealed truth of God. It is the divine communication that carries the power of the Holy Spirit to bring about repentance and faith.
This verse captures a pivotal moment when news of the gospel extending beyond Jewish people to Gentiles reached the established church leaders. It highlights the tension between traditional Jewish customs and the expanding, radical inclusivity of God's new covenant in Christ.
c. AD 30-33
Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus
The central event of Christianity, leading to the formation of the earliest church.
c. AD 33-34
Stephen's Martyrdom and Dispersion of Believers
The stoning of Stephen leads to believers scattering throughout Judea and Samaria, spreading the gospel.
c. AD 34-36
Philip Preaches in Samaria
Philip, one of the seven deacons, successfully shares the gospel with Samaritans, a historically antagonistic group to Jews.
c. AD 36
Cornelius' Vision and Peter's Vision
God orchestrates events through visions given to Cornelius (a Roman centurion) and Peter, preparing them for their encounter.
c. AD 36
This passage highlights the mutual recognition of ministry to Jews and Gentiles between Peter and Paul, underscoring the significance of the gospel reaching beyond its initial Jewish audience.
Romans 1:16Paul's declaration that the gospel is the power of God for salvation 'to the Jew first, and also to the Greek' directly echoes the reality that the word of God was now reaching the Gentiles.
Luke 24:47Jesus' commission for repentance and forgiveness of sins to be proclaimed in His name to all nations sets the stage for the events in Acts, showing that the inclusion of Gentiles was part of God's plan.
Isaiah 56:7This Old Testament prophecy foretells God's house being called a 'house of prayer for all peoples,' pointing to the inclusion of Gentiles in God's kingdom long before it happened.
Acts 10:34-35Peter's realization that 'God shows no partiality' is the theological bedrock for accepting Gentiles, providing the understanding that would later lead to the news spreading throughout Judea.
ellicottActs 11:1: "And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God."
XI. (1) And the apostles and brethren that were in Judæa . . .—The context implies that the tidings travelled, while Peter remained at Cæsarea, first probably to Joppa and Lydda, and afterwards to Jerusalem.
bensonActs 11:1: "And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God."
Acts 11:1-3 . The apostles and brethren heard — To their great surprise; that the Gentiles had also received the word of God — That not only the Jews who were dispersed in the Gentile countries, and the Gentiles who were proselyted to the Jewish religion, but that the uncircumcised Gentiles also themselves, with whom it had hitherto been thought unlawful to have any fellowsh…
The most striking part of this verse is how quickly the news spread and the reaction it caused among the believers in Judea. It wasn't just that Gentiles were hearing about God, but that they were receiving the word, which meant a radical shift in their understanding of God's plan, a shift that would lead to significant controversy.
News travels fast, and this incredible report that God's message was being received by Gentiles—people outside the Jewish nation—causes quite a stir among the apostles and believers back in Judea. This announcement, stemming from Peter's recent experiences in Caesarea, directly challenges their long-held assumptions about who God's people are and how salvation works. They're about to grapple with the profound implications of the gospel breaking beyond its Jewish boundaries, setting the stage for a major shift in the early church's understanding.
News travels fast, and this incredible report that God's message was being received by Gentiles—people outside the Jewish nation—causes quite a stir among the apostles and believers back in Judea. This announcement, stemming from Peter's recent experiences in Caesarea, directly challenges their long-held assumptions about who God's people are and how salvation works. They're about to grapple with the profound implications of the gospel breaking beyond its Jewish boundaries, setting the stage for a major shift in the early church's understanding.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Acts 11:1 is available in the Sola app.
Peter Preaches to Cornelius' Household
Peter, overcoming his own Jewish prejudices and the prevailing customs, preaches the gospel to uncircumcised Gentiles in Caesarea. The Holy Spirit falls upon them.
c. AD 36
News Reaches Jerusalem
Word of Peter's actions and the inclusion of Gentiles spreads rapidly throughout Judea, causing consternation among Jewish believers.
c. AD 36-40
Contention and Vindication in Jerusalem
Upon Peter's return to Jerusalem, Jewish believers challenge his actions. Peter recounts the events, emphasizing God's role, leading to their acceptance of Gentile inclusion.
"Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God." — The most striking part of this verse is how quickly the news spread and the reaction it caused among the believers in Judea. It wasn't just that Gentiles were hearing about God, but that they were *r…
