Acts 11:19
Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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{ "author": "Traditionally attributed to Luke, the author of the Gospel of Luke.", "location": "Written from Antioch, Syria, reflecting events that occurred in Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch.", "dateTime": "Likely written in the early to mid-60s AD.", "literaryStyle": "Narrative history, featuring a key literary element of tracing the geographical spread of early Christianity." }
Following Stephen's martyrdom, a wave of persecution scattered believers from Jerusalem, forcing them to flee to places like Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch. These early Christians, still largely operating under the understanding that the Gospel was for Jews only, shared the message with Jewish communities they encountered in these new regions. This sets the stage for a pivotal moment where the message would soon be extended beyond Jewish circles.
Persecution often scatters believers, but where do these scattered seeds land? And what do they do when they get there?
The persecution that arose after Stephen's death (Acts 7:54-60) didn't stop the spread of the gospel; it amplified it. The believers who fled Jerusalem didn't hide. Instead, they traveled to places like Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, carrying the message with them.
An Expansive Reach
Notice the geography: Phoenicia (modern Lebanon and Syria), Cyprus (an island in the Mediterranean), and Antioch (a major city in Syria). These weren't just small villages; they were significant centers of population and commerce. The scattering forced the church to expand its physical borders.
Focused Proclamation
Even with this wider reach, their message was initially limited. The text explicitly states they spoke the word 'to none except Jews.' This shows that while the physical reach expanded, the audience hadn't yet broadened beyond their own people. They were sharing the good news within their existing Jewish communities in these new locations, likely finding fellow Jews who had also been dispersed or had moved for trade.
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One city stands out in this scattering: Antioch. Why was this particular place so crucial for the next phase of the early church?
Antioch wasn't just another stop on the map; it was a strategic hub. Situated on the Orontes River, it was a major metropolis, the capital of Roman Syria, and a vibrant cultural crossroads connecting the East and West.
A Diverse Jewish Population
Crucially, Antioch had a large and influential Jewish community. Seleucus Nicator, one of Alexander the Great's generals, had even granted Jews equal citizenship rights there. This meant that the scattered believers found not just fellow Jews, but a substantial and established community where they could share their message.
The Dawn of Gentile Inclusion
While the believers in verse 19 only spoke to Jews, the stage was set. Because Antioch was a melting pot of cultures and peoples, and because there was a significant Jewish population receptive to the message, it became the natural place for the gospel to soon break out to the Gentiles. As the narrative continues in Acts 11, it's in Antioch that some of these believers, specifically those from Cyprus and Cyrene, begin speaking to the Greeks (Gentiles), and a great number believe. Antioch truly became a 'gateway' for the Gentile mission.
Understand the original words
thlipsis · Greek Noun
Hostility, oppression, or suffering inflicted upon believers due to their faith in Christ; it is often a catalyst for the spread of the Gospel.
This scattering wasn't just a random dispersal; it was a divinely orchestrated move that broadened the gospel's reach, pushing believers out of their comfort zones and preparing them to share the message with a wider world, starting with the significant Gentile population in Antioch.
c. AD 30-33
Stephen's Martyrdom and Initial Persecution
Following Stephen's martyrdom in Jerusalem, a wave of persecution swept through the early Christian community. This event, described in Acts 7 and 8, forced many believers to flee the city.
c. AD 33-35— this verse
Scattered Believers Reach Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch
Those who fled Jerusalem dispersed to various regions, including Phoenicia (modern Lebanon and Syria), Cyprus (an island in the Mediterranean), and Antioch (a major city in Syria). They shared their faith primarily with fellow Jews in these new locations.
c. AD 35-37
First Gentile Conversions in Antioch
In Antioch, some of the scattered believers, including those from Cyprus and Cyrene, began speaking to Gentiles. This marked a significant shift as the gospel message started reaching non-Jews, a departure from the initial focus.
c. AD 37-40
Barnabas Sent to Strengthen Antioch Church
News of the Gentile conversions in Antioch reached Jerusalem. The apostles there, recognizing the work of God, sent Barnabas to encourage and guide this burgeoning, multi-ethnic community.
c. AD 40-43
Saul (Paul) Joins Barnabas in Antioch
Barnabas, needing help, sought out Saul (later known as Paul) and brought him to Antioch. Together, they ministered in this vital center for about a year, significantly impacting the growth of the church there.
This verse directly links to the scattering mentioned in Acts 11:19, showing that 'those who were scattered abroad' were already 'going about preaching the word' even before reaching Antioch.
Acts 10:34-35This passage introduces the pivotal moment where Peter realizes God shows no favoritism and accepts Gentiles, providing the theological groundwork for why the scattered believers eventually preached to non-Jews.
Acts 11:20-21This immediately following passage reveals that while some scattered believers only preached to Jews, others went to Antioch and spoke to the Greeks as well, highlighting the expansion of the Gospel's reach.
Galatians 3:28This verse articulates the spiritual unity in Christ where distinctions like Jew and Gentile are dissolved, which is the ultimate principle the early church grappled with as they moved from only preaching to Jews to embracing all.
barnesActs 11:19: "Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only."
Now they ... - This verse introduces a new train of historical remark; and from this point the course of the history of the Acts of the Apostles takes a new direction. Thus far, the history had recorded chiefly the preaching of the gospel to the Jews. From this point the history records the effor…
jfbActs 11:19-24: "Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only."
Ac 11:19-24. The Gospel Being Preached to Gentiles at Antioch Also Barnabas Is Sent Thither from Jerusalem, Who Hails Their Accession and Labors among Them.19. they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen—and who "went everywhere preaching the word" (Ac 8:4).t…
{ "author": "Traditionally attributed to Luke, the author of the Gospel of Luke.", "location": "Written from Antioch, Syria, reflecting events that occurred in Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch.", "dateTime": "Likely written in the early to mid-60s AD.", "literaryStyle": "Narrative history, featuring a key literary element of tracing the geographical spread of early Christianity." }
Following Stephen's martyrdom, a wave of persecution scattered believers from Jerusalem, forcing them to flee to places like Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch. These early Christians, still largely operating under the understanding that the Gospel was for Jews only, shared the message with Jewish communities they encountered in these new regions. This sets the stage for a pivotal moment where the message would soon be extended beyond Jewish circles.
Following Stephen's martyrdom, a wave of persecution scattered believers from Jerusalem, forcing them to flee to places like Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch. These early Christians, still largely operating under the understanding that the Gospel was for Jews only, shared the message with Jewish communities they encountered in these new regions. This sets the stage for a pivotal moment where the message would soon be extended beyond Jewish circles.
"Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews." — { "author": "Traditionally attributed to Luke, the author of the Gospel of Luke.", "location": "Written from Antioch, Syria, reflecting events that occurred in Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch.",…
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