Acts 11:20
But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The crucial detail here is that some scholars believe the text originally said these men spoke to "Greeks" (Gentiles) rather than "Hellenists" (Greek-speaking Jews). This shift highlights a significant step of faith, as previously the scattered believers had only shared the message with fellow Jews, but now they were boldly reaching out to non-Jews.
Following the persecution after Stephen's death, believers scattered and spread the message, initially only to Jewish people. Upon arriving in Antioch, some of these scattered believers, specifically men from Cyprus and Cyrene, took a significant step by speaking the good news about Jesus to Greek-speaking people, marking a crucial expansion beyond the Jewish community.
The early church was born from Jewish roots, but could the message of Jesus truly transcend ethnic and cultural boundaries? This verse marks a pivotal moment.
In Acts 11:19, we see believers scattered by persecution taking the Word only to Jews. But then, something shifts.
A New Direction
Acts 11:20 introduces 'men of Cyprus and Cyrene' who arrive in Antioch. Crucially, the text debates whether they spoke to 'Hellenists' (Greek-speaking Jews) or 'Hellenes' (Greeks/Gentiles). While 'Hellenists' fits the prior context of preaching to Jews, the stronger reading and the flow of the narrative point to 'Hellenes'.
Why it Matters
Preaching to 'Hellenes' – Gentiles – was a significant step. It wasn't just about speaking Greek; it was about crossing the divide between Jew and non-Jew. This opened the door for the Gospel to become a truly global message, fulfilling God's broader purposes.
Why Antioch? This bustling city became a spiritual launchpad. Discover how its unique identity fueled the spread of Christianity.
Antioch wasn't just another city; it was a cosmopolitan hub. Situated in Syria, it was a major Roman administrative center and a melting pot of cultures, with a significant Jewish population and many Greek-speaking residents.
The Perfect Environment
Imagine this: people from various backgrounds, speaking different languages, living side-by-side. This diversity meant that the message about Jesus, initially carried by Jewish believers, could find fertile ground among both Greek-speaking Jews (Hellenists) and non-Jewish Greeks (Hellenes).
A Gateway City
Because Antioch was so diverse and strategically located, it became an ideal place for the Gospel to spread both outwards to other parts of the Gentile world and inwards, further diversifying the early church itself. The actions of the men from Cyprus and Cyrene in Antioch were not just local events; they were crucial steps in making Christianity a world religion.
Understand the original words
Hellēnistēs · Greek Noun
Greek-speaking Jews or non-Jewish people who were culturally influenced by Hellenistic (Greek) customs. In the early church context, this refers to those outside the traditional Aramaic-speaking Jewish culture.
euangelizomai · Greek Verb
The act of publicly proclaiming or heralding the good news of the Gospel, typically involving the message about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
This verse marks a crucial expansion of the early Christian message. The scattering of believers after Stephen's martyrdom, combined with Peter's experience with Cornelius, set the stage for individuals from Hellenistic backgrounds to boldly share the Gospel with Gentiles in Antioch, a major hub of both Jewish and Gentile populations.
c. 630 BC
Founding of Cyrene
Cyrene, a major Greek city in North Africa, was founded. Its inhabitants, including many Jewish settlers over time, would become familiar with Greek language and culture.
c. 400 BC - 300 BC
Hellenistic Period Begins
Following Alexander the Great's conquests, Greek culture and language (Hellenism) spread throughout the Mediterranean and Near East, influencing Jewish communities outside of Judea.
c. AD 33
The Stoning of Stephen
Stephen, a Hellenistic Jew, is martyred in Jerusalem. This event sparks a severe persecution of believers in Jerusalem, causing many to scatter.
c. AD 33
Scattered Believers Preach to Jews
Following Stephen's death, Christians flee Jerusalem, traveling to regions like Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch. They initially preach the message of Jesus only to other Jewish people.
This verse describes the initial scattering of believers due to persecution, highlighting that 'they went about proclaiming the word,' setting the stage for the Gospel spreading beyond Jerusalem.
Acts 10:34-35Peter's encounter with Cornelius, a Gentile, demonstrates God's impartiality and the opening of the Gospel to non-Jews, a pivotal moment that likely emboldened others to do the same.
Galatians 3:28Paul's declaration that in Christ there is 'neither Greek nor Jew' underscores the theological basis for bridging ethnic and cultural divides, which is precisely what happened in Antioch.
Matthew 28:19Jesus' Great Commission to 'make disciples of all nations' provides the ultimate mandate for the expansion of the Gospel beyond its Jewish origins, a mission exemplified by the believers in Antioch.
ellicottActs 11:20: "And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus."
(20) And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene. —Better, But some. These were, from the nature of the case, Hellenistic or Greek-speaking Jews. Who they were we can only conjecture. Possibly Lucius of Cyrene, who appears in the list of prophets in Acts 13:1 ; possibly Simon of Cyrene, of whom we have seen reason to think as a disciple of Ch…
barnesActs 11:20: "And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus."
Were men of Cyprus and Cyrene - Were natives of Cyprus and Cyrene. Cyrene was a province and city of Libya in Africa. It is at present called Cairoan, and is situated in the kingdom of Barca. In Cyprus the Greek language was spoken; and from the vicinity of Cyrene to Alexandria, it is probable that the Greek language was spoken there also. From…
The crucial detail here is that some scholars believe the text originally said these men spoke to "Greeks" (Gentiles) rather than "Hellenists" (Greek-speaking Jews). This shift highlights a significant step of faith, as previously the scattered believers had only shared the message with fellow Jews, but now they were boldly reaching out to non-Jews.
Following the persecution after Stephen's death, believers scattered and spread the message, initially only to Jewish people. Upon arriving in Antioch, some of these scattered believers, specifically men from Cyprus and Cyrene, took a significant step by speaking the good news about Jesus to Greek-speaking people, marking a crucial expansion beyond the Jewish community.
Following the persecution after Stephen's death, believers scattered and spread the message, initially only to Jewish people. Upon arriving in Antioch, some of these scattered believers, specifically men from Cyprus and Cyrene, took a significant step by speaking the good news about Jesus to Greek-speaking people, marking a crucial expansion beyond the Jewish community.
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c. AD 33
Peter Preaches to Cornelius
The Apostle Peter, overcoming his own Jewish customs, shares the Gospel with Cornelius, a Roman centurion and devout Gentile, in Caesarea. This is a pivotal moment in opening the Gospel to non-Jews.
c. AD 34— this verse
Gospel Reaches Hellenistic Jews in Antioch
Some believers, including Hellenistic Jews from Cyprus and Cyrene, arrive in Antioch and begin sharing the Good News about Jesus with other Greek-speaking Jews (Hellenists) and possibly Gentiles.
"But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus." — The crucial detail here is that some scholars believe the text originally said these men spoke to "Greeks" (Gentiles) rather than "Hellenists" (Greek-speaking Jews). This shift highlights a significa…
