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.
Original Language Analysis
Οἱ
G3588
Οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μὲν
G3303
μὲν
Strong's:
G3303
Word #:
2 of 26
properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)
διασπαρέντες
they which were scattered abroad
G1289
διασπαρέντες
they which were scattered abroad
Strong's:
G1289
Word #:
4 of 26
to sow throughout, i.e., (figuratively) distribute in foreign lands
ἀπὸ
upon
G575
ἀπὸ
upon
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
5 of 26
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γενομένης
that arose
G1096
γενομένης
that arose
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
9 of 26
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
ἐπὶ
about
G1909
ἐπὶ
about
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
10 of 26
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
ἕως
as far as
G2193
ἕως
as far as
Strong's:
G2193
Word #:
13 of 26
a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)
Φοινίκης
Phenice
G5403
Φοινίκης
Phenice
Strong's:
G5403
Word #:
14 of 26
palm-country; phoenice (or phoenicia), a region of palestine
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
17 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λόγον
the word
G3056
λόγον
the word
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
22 of 26
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
Cross References
Acts 15:22Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:Acts 15:3And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.Acts 4:36And 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 21:2And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth.Acts 15:35Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
Historical Context
This scattering (Acts 8:1) occurred circa AD 33-35. Believers reached Phoenicia (Lebanese coast), Cyprus (Barnabas's homeland), and Antioch (major Syrian city). This geographical expansion fulfilled Jesus' prediction (Acts 1:8) that persecution would push the gospel outward.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God use persecution and suffering to advance His gospel purposes?
- Why did early believers initially preach only to Jews despite the Great Commission?
- What does progressive revelation teach about God's patience with our limited understanding?
Analysis & Commentary
After Stephen's martyrdom, scattered believers 'travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.' Persecution scattered the church, but they continued preaching despite danger. Initially they preached only to Jews, not yet grasping the full scope of the Gentile mission. From a Reformed perspective, God used persecution (intended by Satan to destroy the church) to spread the gospel geographically. Even the believers' initial limitation to Jewish audiences served God's purposes in progressive revelation of the Gentile mission.