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)
These scattered believers, though fleeing persecution, were deeply focused on their mission: sharing the Good News. What's easy to miss is that their scope, while geographically widening to places like Antioch, remained religiously narrow, only speaking to fellow Jews. This intentional limitation sets the stage for the incredible, unexpected expansion of God's kingdom that's about to unfold.
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)
Following Stephen's martyrdom and the ensuing persecution, believers scattered from Jerusalem, reaching Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch. These disciples, still primarily focused on their Jewish heritage, shared the message of Jesus only with other Jews in these new locations. This marks a crucial expansion beyond Jerusalem, setting the stage for the gospel's eventual spread to Gentiles.
Persecution often feels like an end, but for these early believers, it was a catalyst. Discover how their scattering led to the gospel reaching new corners of the world.
The persecution that arose after Stephen's martyrdom (Acts 7) forced many Jesus-followers out of Jerusalem. This wasn't just a random scattering; it was a divine redirection.
Forced to Flee, Called to Share
One city, Antioch, becomes a pivotal location. Why was this Hellenistic metropolis so significant for the early spread of Christianity?
Antioch was far more than just another stop on the map; it was a cosmopolitan center that would become a major launching pad for the gospel.
The Gateway to the Gentiles
Ask a follow-up
These believers were preaching only to Jews. What does this tell us about the pace of God's revelation and their understanding at the time?
It's easy to look back and see the grand sweep of God's plan, but for those living it, understanding unfolds gradually. This verse shows us that unfolding in real-time.
Limited Understanding, Obedient Action
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 verse highlights a crucial turning point: persecuted believers, initially hesitant to share the gospel with Gentiles, begin spreading the message beyond Jewish communities, setting the stage for the Gentile mission that would transform the early church.
c. AD 30-33
Stephen's Martyrdom
The stoning of Stephen, a Hellenistic Jewish disciple, marks a severe escalation of persecution against early Christians in Jerusalem. This event directly triggers the scattering of many believers.
c. AD 33-34— this verse
Scattering of Believers
Following Stephen's death, believers fled Jerusalem to escape persecution. Some traveled north to Phoenicia (modern Lebanon and Syria), west to the island of Cyprus, and southeast to Antioch, the capital of Roman Syria.
c. AD 34
Early Ministry in Antioch
Scattered believers begin evangelizing in Antioch, a major Gentile metropolis with a significant Jewish population. Initially, they speak the message of Jesus only to fellow Jews living there.
c. AD 34-37
Gentiles Hear the Word in Antioch
Some believers, likely Hellenistic Jews from Cyprus and Cyrene, begin sharing the gospel with Gentiles in Antioch, marking a pivotal expansion of the Christian mission.
c. AD 37
Barnabas Sent to Antioch
News of the burgeoning Gentile conversions reaches the church in Jerusalem. They send Barnabas, known for his encouragement, to oversee the work in Antioch, recognizing its new significance.
This verse directly references the scattering of believers following Stephen's martyrdom, establishing the context for the events in Acts 11:19 and showing the immediate aftermath of that persecution.
Acts 10:34-35This passage introduces Peter's vision and the realization that God shows no favoritism, a pivotal moment that contrasts with the initial exclusivity of the scattered believers preaching only to Jews in Acts 11:19.
Acts 13:46This verse marks a turning point where Paul and Barnabas declare they will now turn to the Gentiles, directly fulfilling the expansion of the gospel that Acts 11:19 foreshadows.
Romans 10:12-13This passage emphasizes the universality of salvation through Christ, highlighting the theological truth that the gospel is for both Jew and Gentile, which the early church, as seen in Acts 11:19, was gradually coming to understand.
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…
These scattered believers, though fleeing persecution, were deeply focused on their mission: sharing the Good News. What's easy to miss is that their scope, while geographically widening to places like Antioch, remained religiously narrow, only speaking to fellow Jews. This intentional limitation sets the stage for the incredible, unexpected expansion of God's kingdom that's about to unfold.
Following Stephen's martyrdom and the ensuing persecution, believers scattered from Jerusalem, reaching Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch. These disciples, still primarily focused on their Jewish heritage, shared the message of Jesus only with other Jews in these new locations. This marks a crucial expansion beyond Jerusalem, setting the stage for the gospel's eventual spread to Gentiles.
Following Stephen's martyrdom and the ensuing persecution, believers scattered from Jerusalem, reaching Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch. These disciples, still primarily focused on their Jewish heritage, shared the message of Jesus only with other Jews in these new locations. This marks a crucial expansion beyond Jerusalem, setting the stage for the gospel's eventual spread to Gentiles.
"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." — These scattered believers, though fleeing persecution, were deeply focused on their mission: sharing the Good News. What's easy to miss is that their scope, while geographically widening to places li…
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Last reviewed October 2026