Question 1

What does Acts 11:20 mean?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 2

The Greek behind Acts 11:20

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 3

Why Acts 11:20 matters

Accepted Answer

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.

Acts 11:20 (KJV)