Acts 11:15
New International Version
“As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning.

New Living Translation
“As I began to speak,” Peter continued, “the Holy Spirit fell on them, just as he fell on us at the beginning.

English Standard Version
As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning.

Berean Standard Bible
As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, just as He had fallen upon us at the beginning.

Berean Literal Bible
And in my beginning to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, even as also upon us in the beginning.

King James Bible
And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.

New King James Version
And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning.

New American Standard Bible
And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as He did upon us at the beginning.

NASB 1995
“And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as He did upon us at the beginning.

NASB 1977
“And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, just as He did upon us at the beginning.

Legacy Standard Bible
And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as He did upon us at the beginning.

Amplified Bible
When I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as He did on us at the beginning [at Pentecost].

Christian Standard Bible
“As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came down on them, just as on us at the beginning.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came down on them, just as on us at the beginning.

American Standard Version
And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning.

Contemporary English Version
After I started speaking, the Holy Spirit was given to them, just as the Spirit had been given to us at the beginning.

English Revised Version
And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, even as on us at the beginning.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"When I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came to these people. This was the same thing that happened to us in the beginning.

Good News Translation
And when I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came down on them just as on us at the beginning.

International Standard Version
"When I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as he was first given to us.

Majority Standard Bible
As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, just as He had fallen upon us at the beginning.

NET Bible
Then as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as he did on us at the beginning.

New Heart English Bible
As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning.

Webster's Bible Translation
And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, as on us at the beginning.

Weymouth New Testament
"And," said Peter, "no sooner had I begun to speak than the Holy Spirit fell upon them, just as He fell upon us at the first.

World English Bible
As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And in my beginning to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as also on us in the beginning,

Berean Literal Bible
And in my beginning to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, even as also upon us in the beginning.

Young's Literal Translation
'And in my beginning to speak, the Holy Spirit did fall upon them, even as also upon us in the beginning,

Smith's Literal Translation
And in my beginning to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as also upon us in the beginning.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when I had begun to speak, the Holy Ghost fell upon them, as upon us also in the beginning.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when I had begun to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, just as upon us also, in the beginning.

New American Bible
As I began to speak, the holy Spirit fell upon them as it had upon us at the beginning,

New Revised Standard Version
And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as it had upon us at the beginning.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them, as on us at the beginning.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And as I was continuing to speak there, The Spirit of Holiness rested upon them as when upon us from the first.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, as on us at the beginning.

Godbey New Testament
And when I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.

Haweis New Testament
So when I had begun to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, just as on us at the beginning.

Mace New Testament
and while I was speaking to them, the holy spirit descended upon them, as it did on us, at the beginning.

Weymouth New Testament
"And," said Peter, "no sooner had I begun to speak than the Holy Spirit fell upon them, just as He fell upon us at the first.

Worrell New Testament
And, as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, as also on us at the beginning;

Worsley New Testament
And when I began to speak, the holy Spirit fell on them, even as it did upon us at the beginning.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Peter's Report at Jerusalem
14He will convey to you a message by which you and all your household will be saved.’ 15As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, just as He had fallen upon us at the beginning. 16Then I remembered the word of the Lord, as He used to say, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’…

Cross References
Acts 2:1-4
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. / Suddenly a sound like a mighty rushing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. / They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. ...

Acts 10:44-46
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard his message. / All the circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. / For they heard them speaking in tongues and exalting God. Then Peter said,

John 14:16-17
And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever— / the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you.

John 16:7-15
But I tell you the truth, it is for your benefit that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. / And when He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: / in regard to sin, because they do not believe in Me; ...

Joel 2:28-29
And afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. / Even on My menservants and maidservants, I will pour out My Spirit in those days.

Matthew 3:11
I baptize you with water for repentance, but after me will come One more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

Luke 3:16
John answered all of them: “I baptize you with water, but One more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

Ezekiel 36:26-27
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. / And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances.

Isaiah 44:3
For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and currents on the dry ground. I will pour out My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring.

John 7:37-39
On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. / Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’” / He was speaking about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive. For the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet been glorified.

Acts 1:5
For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 19:6
And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

1 Corinthians 12:13
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink.

Romans 8:9
You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.

Galatians 3:14
He redeemed us in order that the blessing promised to Abraham would come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.


Treasury of Scripture

And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.

as I.

Acts 10:34-44
Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: …

the Holy Ghost.

Acts 10:45,46
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…

Acts 19:6
And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

as on.

Acts 2:2-12
And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting…

Acts 4:31
And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

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Beginning Begun Fall Fell First Ghost Holy Peter Sooner Speak Spirit Talking
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Beginning Begun Fall Fell First Ghost Holy Peter Sooner Speak Spirit Talking
Acts 11
1. Peter, being accused for preaching to the Gentiles,
5. makes his defense;
18. which is accepted.
19. The gospel being spread in Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch,
22. Barnabas is sent to confirm them.
26. The disciples are first called Christians at Antioch.
27. They send relief to the brothers in Judea in time of famine.














As I began to speak
This phrase marks the initiation of Peter's recounting of his experience with Cornelius and his household. The Greek word for "began" (ἄρχομαι, archomai) implies the commencement of an action, indicating that Peter was merely starting his message when the Holy Spirit intervened. This underscores the divine orchestration of events, emphasizing that it was not Peter's eloquence or persuasion that led to the outpouring of the Spirit, but God's sovereign will. Historically, this moment is pivotal as it marks the opening of the Gospel to the Gentiles, a significant shift in the early Christian mission.

the Holy Spirit fell upon them
The phrase "fell upon" (ἐπέπεσεν, epepesen) is significant, as it conveys a sudden and powerful descent of the Holy Spirit. This mirrors the Pentecost experience in Acts 2, where the Spirit's arrival was both unexpected and transformative. Theologically, this demonstrates the impartiality of God, who grants His Spirit to all who believe, regardless of ethnic or cultural background. The Holy Spirit's descent is a fulfillment of Jesus' promise in Acts 1:8, where He assured His disciples that they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them.

just as He had come upon us
This comparison to the apostles' own experience at Pentecost is crucial. The Greek word "just as" (καθὼς, kathōs) indicates a direct parallel, affirming that the Gentiles received the same gift of the Spirit as the Jewish believers. This serves as a divine endorsement of the Gentile mission and a confirmation that salvation through Christ is available to all. Historically, this was a radical affirmation of the unity and equality of all believers in the early Church, breaking down long-standing barriers between Jews and Gentiles.

at the beginning
The term "beginning" (ἀρχή, archē) refers to the initial outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, as recorded in Acts 2. This event marked the birth of the Church and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the outpouring of God's Spirit (e.g., Joel 2:28-29). By referencing "the beginning," Peter is anchoring this new Gentile experience in the foundational events of the Christian faith, asserting that the same Spirit who empowered the apostles is now at work among the Gentiles. This continuity underscores the unchanging nature of God's plan and the inclusivity of His kingdom.

(15) And as I began to speak . . .--It is, perhaps, a trait of individual character that the Apostle speaks of what is recorded in Acts 10:34-43 as the mere beginning of what he had meant to say.

As on us at the beginning.--The words are spoken, it will be remembered, to apostles and disciples who had been sharers in the Pentecostal gift. St. Peter bears his witness that what he witnessed at Caesarea was not less manifestly the Spirit's work than what they had then experienced.

Verse 15. - Even as for as, A.V.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
[As]
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

I
με (me)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

began
ἄρξασθαί (arxasthai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Middle
Strong's 756: To begin. Middle voice of archo; to commence.

to speak,
λαλεῖν (lalein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 2980: A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words.

the
τὸ (to)
Article - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Holy
Ἅγιον (Hagion)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 40: Set apart by (or for) God, holy, sacred. From hagos; sacred.

Spirit
Πνεῦμα (Pneuma)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4151: Wind, breath, spirit.

fell
ἐπέπεσεν (epepesen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1968: To fall upon, press upon, light upon, come over. From epi and pipto; to embrace or seize.

on
ἐπ’ (ep’)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

them,
αὐτοὺς (autous)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

just as
ὥσπερ (hōsper)
Adverb
Strong's 5618: Just as, as, even as. From hos and per; just as, i.e. Exactly like.

[He had come]
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

upon
ἐφ’ (eph’)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

us
ἡμᾶς (hēmas)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

at
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

[the] beginning.
ἀρχῇ (archē)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 746: From archomai; a commencement, or chief.


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