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.

ACTS 11:20KJV
Know the Bible

Acts 11:20 (KJV)

What does Acts 11:20 mean?

Acts 11:20 describes how some followers of Jesus from Cyprus and Cyrene, after arriving in Antioch, began to speak to the "Grecians" (Greek-speaking people), telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. This verse shows that the message about Jesus was being shared beyond just Jewish communities, reaching out to non-Jews as well.

The setting is after the scattering of believers from Jerusalem due to persecution. These men from Cyprus and Cyrene were among those who traveled to Antioch, a major city in the Roman world. Instead of only speaking to fellow Jews, they also shared their message with Greek-speaking people, marking a significant step in the spread of Christianity to a wider audience.

The Greek behind Acts 11:20

  • Ἑλληνιστάς (Hellēnistas, "Grecians"): This word is often understood as referring to Greek-speaking people, which could mean either Jews who spoke Greek or non-Jewish Greeks. In this context, it likely points to non-Jewish Greeks, showing the message was crossing cultural boundaries.
  • εὐαγγελιζόμενοι (euangelizomenoi, "preaching"): This word means "bringing good news" or "proclaiming the gospel." It emphasizes that what was being shared was not just information, but a joyful announcement about Jesus as Lord.

Why Acts 11:20 matters

  • Acts 11:20 marks a turning point where the message about Jesus begins to intentionally reach non-Jews, showing the early Christian movement expanding beyond its original cultural boundaries.
  • The verse highlights the role of ordinary believers from places like Cyprus and Cyrene, not just the apostles, in spreading the message.
  • This outreach to Greek-speaking people in Antioch sets the stage for the church in Antioch to become a major center for early Christianity and future missionary work.

Where else these words appear

“Cyprus” Greek G2953 · used in 3 verses

  • Acts 4:36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas,(which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
  • Acts 21:16 There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.

“Grecians” Greek G1675 · used in 3 verses

  • Acts 6:1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
  • Acts 9:29 And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.

“Cyrene” Greek G2956 · used in 6 verses

  • Matthew 27:32 And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.
  • Mark 15:21 And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.
  • Acts 6:9 Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.

“Antioch” Greek G490 · used in 17 verses

  • Acts 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.
  • Acts 13:14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.
  • Acts 15:23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: