And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.

ACTS 11:1KJV
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Acts 11:1 (KJV)

What does Acts 11:1 mean?

Acts 11:1 reports that the apostles and other believers in the region of Judea heard news that non-Jewish people (“Gentiles”) had also accepted the message about God. This verse highlights that word was spreading among early Christians that the message about Jesus was reaching beyond the Jewish community.

The verse is set after Peter’s visit to Cornelius, a Gentile, where Gentiles received the Holy Spirit. The apostles and fellow believers (“brethren”) in Judea are not the ones speaking but are hearing about these events. This sets up the discussion that follows, where the early church must consider what it means for Gentiles to be included among God’s people.

The Greek behind Acts 11:1

  • ἔθνη (ethnē, G1484): This word is often translated “Gentiles” and refers to nations or peoples who are not Jewish. Its use here underlines the significance of non-Jews receiving the message about God, which was a major development in the early church.
  • ἐδέξαντο (edexanto, G1209): This verb means “received” or “welcomed.” The Greek here carries the sense of actively accepting or embracing something, emphasizing that the Gentiles did not just hear the word of God but accepted it as true and meaningful.
  • λόγον τοῦ θεοῦ (logon tou theou, G3056 + G2316): This phrase means “the word of God.” In this context, it refers to the message about Jesus and salvation, not just any message or teaching.

Why Acts 11:1 matters

  • Acts 11:1 clarifies that the early Christian movement was beginning to include people outside the Jewish community, which was a significant and sometimes controversial shift.
  • The verse sets the stage for the debate and explanation that follows in Acts 11, where Peter will recount his experience with Cornelius and defend the inclusion of Gentiles.
  • This verse helps readers see how news traveled among early believers and how the church was grappling with the expanding reach of the gospel.

Where else these words appear

“Judaea” Greek G2449 · used in 44 verses

  • Matthew 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
  • Luke 2:4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem;(because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
  • Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

“had” Greek G1209 · used in 48 verses

  • Matthew 10:14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.
  • Luke 10:10 But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,
  • 1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

“apostles” Greek G652 · used in 80 verses

  • Matthew 10:2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
  • Acts 8:14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
  • 2 Corinthians 11:5 For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.