1Peter, being accused for conversing with the Gentiles, maketh his defence; the church is satisfied, and glorifieth God. 19The gospel having spread as far as Phenice, Cyprus, and Antioch, 22Barnabas is sent thither, who fetcheth Saul from Tarsus; many people are taught at Antioch, where the disciples are first called Christians. 27Agabus prophesieth a dearth; the disciples send relief from Antioch to the brethren in Judaea by Barnabas and Saul.
1AND the apostles and 1brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
1 Amongst these brethren here, the elders are also comprehended, who are distinguished from other common brethren or believers, Acts 15:23.
2And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, 2they that were of the circumcision contended with him,
2 Namely, certain believing Jews, namely, others than the apostles.
3Saying, Thoua wentest in to men 3uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.
a Exod. 23:32; 34:15; Deut. 7:2; John 18:28.
3 That is, who were and continue to be uncircumcised; from which it appears that those, who before this were converted of the Gentiles, were proselytes, or at least were circumcised, seeing no man was offended thereat, that Peter and John went in unto them. See Acts 2:10 and 8:14 and 15:7, 14.
44But Peter 5rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying,
4 If this justification of Peter unto the 14th verse would have needed any explanation, this has been noted in the previous chapter.
5 Or, expounded it to them one thing after another.
5 Ib was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me:
b Acts 10:9.
6Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
7And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat.
8But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothingc common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth.
c Lev. 11:4; Deut. 14:7.
9But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
10And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven.
11And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me.
12Andd the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house:
d Acts 10:19; 15:7.
13And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;
14Who shall tell thee 6words, 7whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.
6 Or, matters, things.
7 Gr. in which, namely, if thou embrace them with a true faith, as is expressed in Acts 10:43. See a more detailed exposition on this verse at Luke 19 on verse 9.
15And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us 8at the beginning.
8 Namely, after Christ’s ascension on the day of Pentecost, Acts 2:4 and 19:6.
16Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, Johne indeed baptized with water; but yef shall be baptized 9with the Holy Ghost.
e Mat. 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:26; Acts 1:5; 2:4; 19:4.
f Isa. 44:3; Joel 2:28.
9 See the exposition hereof at Mat. 3 on verse 11; Acts 1 on verse 5.
17Forasmuchg then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could 10withstand God?
g Acts 15:9.
10 Gr. able to hinder God, that is, seeing God had made them partakers of the thing which is signified by baptism, how would I be able to withhold from or deny them the outward sign? A similar reason of Peter, see Acts 2:38, 39.
18When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles 11granted repentance unto life.
11 That is, wrought in them by His Holy Spirit. See Philip. 2:13; Heb. 8:10.
19¶Nowh they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose 12about Stephen travelled as far as 13Phenice, and 14Cyprus, and 15Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews 16only.
h Acts 8:1, 4.
12 Or, in Stephen, or for Stephen’s sake, by occasion of Stephen; that is, out of hatred to his zeal and boldness, which he had used against the Jews and their rulers, Acts 6; 7.
13 This was a region in Syria, bordering on the land of Judea, situated towards the Mediterranean Sea, of which Tyre was the capital. See Acts 12:20.
14 This is an island in the Mediterranean Sea, to which men could easily sail from Tyre and Sidon. See Acts 27:3, 4.
15 This was then the capital of Syria, situated also about the Mediterranean Sea, on the river Orontes, the most powerful city of all Asia, as Alexandria of Africa, and Rome of Europe.
16 Namely, because they did not yet sufficiently understand the doctrine of the calling of the Gentiles.
20And some 17of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the 18Grecians, 19preaching 20the Lord Jesus.
17 Namely, Jews or Jewish proselytes, born in Cyprus and Cyrene, who, also residing at Jerusalem, were forced to flee because of the previous persecution, seeing they had embraced the Christian religion.
18 That is, to the Jews who used the Greek language and translation in their synagogues. See Acts 6:1 and 9:29.
19 Gr. evangelizing.
20 That is, His suffering, death, resurrection, ascension, and further all what must be believed of Him unto salvation. See 1 Cor. 2:2.
21Andi21the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.
i Acts 2:47; 5:14.
21 That is, the assistance and powerful working of God, whereby their hearts were moved. See Acts 16:14; 1 Cor. 3:6.
22¶Then 22tidings of these things 23came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth 24Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.
22 Gr. the word.
23 Gr. was heard in the ears.
24 Who was a Levite and himself also of Cyprus, to have the better access and freedom with his countrymen and neighbors. From this it seems that these men, of whom is spoken of in verse 20, driven by a special zeal, preached there extraordinarily the doctrine of Christ, which afterwards was confirmed and more enlarged by Barnabas and Paul, and who brought amongst the faithful there all things into a proper order. See also the annotations at Acts 8 on verse 1.
23Who, when he came, and had seen 25the grace of God, was glad, andj exhorted them all, that with 26purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.
25 Namely, upon them, in embracing the doctrine of the Gospel.
j Acts 13:43; 14:22.
26 That is, with a sincere and steadfast purpose.
24For he was a good man, and fullk of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
k Acts 4:36; 6:5.
25Thenl departed Barnabas to 27Tarsus, for to seek Saul:
l Acts 9:27.
27 This was an eminent city in Cilicia, Paul’s native country, Acts 9:11, to which he was sent, Acts 9:30.
26And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called 28Christians first in Antioch.
28 Gr. Christianoi, that is, disciples of Christ, because they embraced and confessed His doctrine; who are also rightly called by this name, because when they believe in Him, they are members of His body and partakers of His anointing. See also Acts 26:28 and 1 Peter 4:16.
27¶And in these days came 29prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.
29 That is, persons endowed with the spirit of prophesying things to come.
28And there stood up one of them named Agabus,m and 30signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass 31in the days of Claudius Caesar.
m Acts 21:10.
30 Gr. indicated, or declared.
31 Of this famine make mention also the historians Suetonius in The life of Claudius, and Josephus, Antiq. lib. 20, cap. 2.
29Then the 32disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send 33relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:
32 That is, believers.
33 Gr. diakonian, that is, serving the poor brethren in their necessity.
30Which also they did, andn sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
n Acts 12:25.