Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

ACTS 11:30KJV
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Acts 11:30 (KJV)

What does Acts 11:30 mean?

Acts 11:30 describes how the believers in Antioch followed through on their plan to send help to the church in Judea by sending their gift to the elders there, using Barnabas and Saul as their trusted messengers. This verse shows the practical step of delivering aid to those in need within the early Christian community.

The setting is the early church in Antioch, where believers had decided to send relief to Christians in Judea who were facing hardship. Barnabas and Saul (later known as Paul) were chosen to carry this support, showing their leadership and the trust placed in them. The mention of "elders" highlights the organized leadership structure developing in the early church.

The Greek behind Acts 11:30

  • πρεσβυτέρους (presbyterous, "elders"): This word refers to the leaders or overseers in the Judean church, showing that by this time, local congregations already had recognized leaders responsible for the community's welfare.
  • διά (dia, "by"): This word means "through" or "by means of," emphasizing that Barnabas and Saul were the actual agents delivering the gift, not just overseeing it from afar.
  • χείρ (cheir, "hands"): The phrase "by the hands of Barnabas and Saul" is a common way in Greek to say "through the agency of," but it also carries a sense of personal responsibility and trust.

Why Acts 11:30 matters

  • Acts 11:30 clarifies that the early church was not just spiritual but also practical, organizing real help for those in need and showing unity across different regions.
  • The verse highlights the trusted roles of Barnabas and Saul, setting the stage for Saul’s (Paul’s) growing importance in the church’s mission.
  • Mentioning "elders" connects this moment to the wider development of church leadership, showing that even at this early stage, there was structure and accountability in how resources were managed.

Where else these words appear

“Saul” Greek G4569 · used in 17 verses

  • Acts 7:58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.
  • Acts 9:11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
  • Acts 11:25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:

“Barnabas” Greek G921 · used in 28 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 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
  • Acts 15:35 Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

“elders” Greek G4245 · used in 67 verses

  • Matthew 15:2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.
  • Luke 15:25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
  • 1 Timothy 5:2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

“it” Greek G649 · used in 130 verses

  • Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
  • Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
  • John 17:8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.