Forasmuch 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 withstand God?

ACTS 11:17KJV
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Acts 11:17 (KJV)

What does Acts 11:17 mean?

Acts 11:17 means that Peter recognized God had given the Gentiles the same gift of the Holy Spirit as He gave to Jewish believers in Jesus, so Peter realized he had no right to oppose what God was doing. Peter is explaining that he could not stand in God's way when God clearly accepted these new believers.

Peter is speaking to other Jewish Christians in Jerusalem, explaining why he had shared the message of Jesus with non-Jews (Gentiles) and even eaten with them. The "gift" refers to the Holy Spirit, which God gave to Gentile believers just as He did to Jewish believers. Peter’s question, “what was I, that I could withstand God?” shows his humility and his understanding that God’s actions are decisive, not human traditions or boundaries.

The Greek behind Acts 11:17

  • "ὁμοίαν" (homoiān, like): This word means "the same" or "equal." Peter emphasizes that the gift God gave the Gentiles was not lesser or different, but exactly equal to what Jewish believers received.
  • "δῶρον" (dōron, gift): This word highlights that the Holy Spirit is not earned but given freely by God, reinforcing that both groups received God’s favor as a gift, not by their own merit.
  • "κωλῦσαι" (kōlysai, withstand): This Greek word means "to hinder" or "to prevent." Peter is saying he could not block or oppose God’s clear action, showing his submission to God’s will.

Why Acts 11:17 matters

  • Acts 11:17 clarifies that God does not show favoritism between Jews and Gentiles, but gives His Spirit to all who believe in Jesus.
  • The verse helps explain the early church’s shift from a Jewish-only movement to one that includes all people, which was a major turning point in Christian history.
  • Peter’s reasoning models humility and obedience to God’s leading, even when it challenges long-held cultural or religious boundaries.

Where else these words appear

“like” Greek G2470 · used in 8 verses

  • Matthew 20:12 Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.
  • Mark 14:59 But neither so did their witness agree together.
  • John 5:18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

“gift” Greek G1431 · used in 11 verses

  • John 4:10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
  • Acts 10:45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
  • 2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

“was” Greek G2252 · used in 16 verses

  • Matthew 25:35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
  • John 16:4 But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.
  • Acts 22:19 And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee:

“withstand” Greek G2967 · used in 23 verses

  • Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
  • Luke 11:52 Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.
  • Acts 27:43 But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land: