Acts 11:20
New International Version
Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus.

New Living Translation
However, some of the believers who went to Antioch from Cyprus and Cyrene began preaching to the Gentiles about the Lord Jesus.

English Standard Version
But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus.

Berean Standard Bible
But some of them, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks as well, proclaiming the good news about the Lord Jesus.

Berean Literal Bible
But some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who having come into Antioch, were speaking also to the Hellenists, proclaiming the gospel--the Lord Jesus.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus.

New American Standard Bible
But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks as well, preaching the good news of the Lord Jesus.

NASB 1995
But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus.

NASB 1977
But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus.

Legacy Standard Bible
But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, proclaiming the good news of the Lord Jesus.

Amplified Bible
But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks as well, proclaiming [to them] the good news about the Lord Jesus.

Christian Standard Bible
But there were some of them, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, proclaiming the good news about the Lord Jesus.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But there were some of them, Cypriot and Cyrenian men, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Hellenists, proclaiming the good news about the Lord Jesus.

American Standard Version
But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus.

Contemporary English Version
Some of the followers from Cyprus and Cyrene went to Antioch and started telling Gentiles the good news about the Lord Jesus.

English Revised Version
But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But other believers, who were from Cyprus and Cyrene, arrived in Antioch. They started to spread the Good News about the Lord Jesus to Greeks.

Good News Translation
But other believers, who were from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and proclaimed the message to Gentiles also, telling them the Good News about the Lord Jesus.

International Standard Version
But among them were some men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began proclaiming the Lord Jesus even to the Hellenistic Jews.

Majority Standard Bible
But some of them, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks as well, proclaiming the good news about the Lord Jesus.

NET Bible
But there were some men from Cyprus and Cyrene among them who came to Antioch and began to speak to the Greeks too, proclaiming the good news of the Lord Jesus.

New Heart English Bible
But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Greeks, proclaiming the good news of the Lord Jesus.

Webster's Bible Translation
And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.

Weymouth New Testament
But some of them were Cyprians and Cyrenaeans, who, on coming to Antioch, spoke to the Greeks also and told them the Good News concerning the Lord Jesus.

World English Bible
But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and there were certain of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who having entered into Antioch, were speaking to the Hellenists, proclaiming good news—the Lord Jesus,

Berean Literal Bible
But some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who having come into Antioch, were speaking also to the Hellenists, proclaiming the gospel--the Lord Jesus.

Young's Literal Translation
and there were certain of them men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who having entered into Antioch, were speaking unto the Hellenists, proclaiming good news -- the Lord Jesus,

Smith's Literal Translation
And certain of them were Cyprian and Cyrenian men, who having come to Antioch, spake to the Greeks announcing good news, the Lord Jesus.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they were entered into Antioch, spoke also to the Greeks, preaching the Lord Jesus.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But some of these men from Cyprus and Cyrene, when they had entered into Antioch, were speaking also to the Greeks, announcing the Lord Jesus.

New American Bible
There were some Cypriots and Cyrenians among them, however, who came to Antioch and began to speak to the Greeks as well, proclaiming the Lord Jesus.

New Revised Standard Version
But among them were some men of Cyprus and Cyrene who, on coming to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists also, proclaiming the Lord Jesus.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But there were some men among them from Cyprus and from Cyrene; these men entered into An’ti-och and spoke to the Greeks and preached concerning our LORD Jesus.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Some of them there were from Cyprus and from Qorina who went in to the Antiochenes, and they were speaking with the Hellenists and preaching concerning our Lord Yeshua.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
But some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.

Godbey New Testament
And of them there were certain Cyprian and Cyrenean men, who, having come into Antioch, were speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the gospel of the Lord Jesus.

Haweis New Testament
And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they arrived at Antioch, spake to the Grecian proselytes, preaching the Lord Jesus.

Mace New Testament
some of them were of Cyprus and Cyrene, and upon their arrival at Antioch they address'd themselves to the Greeks, and preach'd to them the Lord Jesus.

Weymouth New Testament
But some of them were Cyprians and Cyrenaeans, who, on coming to Antioch, spoke to the Greeks also and told them the Good News concerning the Lord Jesus.

Worrell New Testament
And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene; who, indeed, having come to Antioch, were speaking to the Greeks also, publishing the glad tidings of the Lord Jesus.

Worsley New Testament
But some of them were Cyprians, and Cyrenians, who when they came to Antioch, discoursed with the Grecians also, preaching the Lord Jesus.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Church at Antioch
19Meanwhile those scattered by the persecution that began with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the message only to Jews. 20But some of them, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks as well, proclaiming the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.…

Cross References
Acts 8:4-5
Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. / Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ to them.

Acts 13:1
Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch), and Saul.

Acts 15:3
Sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, recounting the conversion of the Gentiles and bringing great joy to all the brothers.

Acts 9:29
He talked and debated with the Grecian Jews, but they tried to kill him.

Acts 14:1
At Iconium, Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue, where they spoke so well that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed.

Acts 6:1
In those days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Grecian Jews among them began to grumble against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.

Acts 10:45
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.

Acts 15:12
The whole assembly fell silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul describing the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.

Acts 17:1-3
When they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. / As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbaths he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, / explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ,” he declared.

Acts 18:4
Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks alike.

Acts 19:10
This continued for two years, so that everyone who lived in the province of Asia, Jews and Greeks alike, heard the word of the Lord.

Acts 21:16
Some of the disciples from Caesarea accompanied us, and they took us to stay at the home of Mnason the Cypriot, an early disciple.

Acts 22:21
Then He said to me, ‘Go! I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”

Acts 26:20
First to those in Damascus and Jerusalem, then to everyone in the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I declared that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds worthy of their repentance.

Acts 28:28
Be advised, therefore, that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!”


Treasury of Scripture

And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spoke to the Grecians, preaching the LORD Jesus.

Cyrene.

Acts 2:10
Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,

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.

Acts 13:1
Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

the Grecians.

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.

preaching.

Acts 8:5,35
Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them…

Acts 9:20
And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

Acts 17:18
Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.

Jump to Previous
Announcing Antioch Cyprus Cyrenaeans Cyrene Cyre'ne Cyrenians Entered Entering Glad Good Grecians Greeks Hellenists However Jesus News Preaching Speak Speaking Tidings
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Announcing Antioch Cyprus Cyrenaeans Cyrene Cyre'ne Cyrenians Entered Entering Glad Good Grecians Greeks Hellenists However Jesus News Preaching Speak Speaking Tidings
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.














But some of them
This phrase introduces a subset of believers who were distinct in their actions. The Greek word for "some" (τινες, tines) indicates a specific group within the larger body of believers. These individuals were not content to remain within the confines of their own ethnic or cultural group. Their initiative reflects the early church's growing understanding of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20), which called for the gospel to be shared with all nations.

men from Cyprus and Cyrene
Cyprus and Cyrene were regions known for their diverse populations and significant Jewish communities. Cyprus is an island in the Mediterranean, and Cyrene was a city in North Africa (modern-day Libya). The mention of these locations highlights the geographical spread of early Christianity and the diverse backgrounds of its messengers. These men were likely Hellenistic Jews, familiar with Greek culture and language, which equipped them to reach out to non-Jews effectively.

went to Antioch
Antioch was a major city in the Roman Empire, located in what is now modern-day Turkey. It was a cultural and commercial hub, known for its diverse population and strategic location. The decision to go to Antioch was significant because it was a place where the gospel could spread rapidly due to its size and influence. Historically, Antioch became one of the first centers of Christianity outside Jerusalem and was where believers were first called "Christians" (Acts 11:26).

and began speaking to the Greeks as well
The phrase "speaking to the Greeks" indicates a pivotal moment in the early church's mission. The Greek term used here, Ἕλληνας (Hellenas), refers to non-Jews or Gentiles. This action marked a departure from the initial focus on Jewish audiences and demonstrated the inclusive nature of the gospel. It aligns with the vision Peter received in Acts 10, where God showed him that the message of salvation was for all people, not just the Jews.

proclaiming the good news
The Greek word for "proclaiming" (εὐαγγελίζω, euangelizo) means to announce or bring good news. This term is the root of the English word "evangelize." The content of their proclamation was the "good news," which is the gospel message of salvation through Jesus Christ. This proclamation was central to the mission of the early church and remains the core message of Christianity today.

about the Lord Jesus
The focus of their message was "the Lord Jesus," emphasizing both His divinity and His role as Savior. The title "Lord" (Κύριος, Kyrios) signifies authority and divinity, acknowledging Jesus as sovereign over all. The use of "Jesus" (Ἰησοῦς, Iesous) personalizes the message, pointing to the historical person who lived, died, and rose again. This proclamation underscores the belief that Jesus is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the hope for all humanity.

(20) And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene.--Better, But some. These were, from the nature of the case, Hellenistic or Greek-speaking Jews. Who they were we can only conjecture. Possibly Lucius of Cyrene, who appears in the list of prophets in Acts 13:1; possibly Simon of Cyrene, of whom we have seen reason to think as a disciple of Christ. (See Notes on Matthew 27:32; Mark 15:21.) The founders of the Church of Antioch, like those of the Church of Rome, must remain unknown.

Spake unto the Grecians.--The MSS. present the two readings--Hellenistae Greek-speaking Jews, and Hellenes, Greeks or Gentiles by descent. As far as their authority is concerned, the two stand nearly on the same level, the balance inclining slightly in favour of Hellenistae, which is found in MSS. B and D, while A gives Hellenes. The Sinaitic has the almost incomprehensible reading "they spake unto the Evangelist?," which is obviously wrong, but which, so far as it goes, must be thrown into the scale in favour of Hellenistae, as the word which the transcriber had before him, and which he misread or misheard. If we receive that reading, then we must suppose St. Luke to lay stress upon the fact that the preachers of whom he speaks, instead of speaking to the Jews at large, many of whom, being Syrians, would speak Aramaic, addressed themselves specially to the Greek-speaking Jews and proselytes, and were thus following in St. Stephen's footsteps, and indirectly preparing the way for St. Paul--the Hellenistae being, as a body, the link between the Jews as a race and the Hellenes. On the whole, however, internal evidence seems to turn the scale in favour of the other reading. (1) As the Hellenistae were "Jews," though not "Hebrews," they would naturally be included in the statement of Acts 11:19, and so there would be no contrast, no new advance, indicated in Acts 11:20 in the statement that the word was spoken to them. (2) The contrast between Jews and Hellenes is, on the other hand, as in Acts 14:1; Acts 18:4, a perfectly natural and familiar one, and assuming this to be the true reading, we get a note of progress which otherwise we should miss, there being no record elsewhere of the admission of the Gentiles at Antioch. (3) It does not necessarily follow, however, that the Hellenes who are spoken of had been heathen idolaters up to the time of their conversion. Probably, as in Acts 18:4, they were more or less on the same level as Cornelius, proselytes of the gate, attending the services of the synagogue. (4) The question whether this preceded or followed the conversion of Cornelius is one which we have not sufficient data for deciding. On the one hand, the brief narrative of Acts 11:19 suggests the thought of an interval as long as that between the death of Stephen and St. Peter's visit to Caesarea, and it may have been part of the working of God's providence that there should be simultaneous and parallel advances. On the other, the language of those of the circumcision to Peter in Acts 11:3, implies that they had not heard of such a case before; and that of the Apostle himself, in Acts 15:7, distinctly claims the honour of having been the first (possibly, however, only the first among the disciples at Jerusalem) from whose lips the Gentiles, as such, had heard the word of the gospel. On the whole, therefore, it seems probable that the work went on at Antioch for many months among the Hellenistic and other Jews, and that the men of Cyprus and Cyrene arrived after the case of Cornelius had removed the scruples which had hitherto restrained them from giving full scope to the longings of their heart. We must not forget, however, that there was one to whom the Gospel of the Uncircumcision, the Gospel of Humanity, had been already revealed in its fulness (Acts 20:21; Galatians 1:11-12), and we can hardly think of him as waiting, after that revelation, for any decision of the Church of Jerusalem. His action, at any rate, must have been parallel and independent, and may have been known to, and followed by, other missionaries. . . .

Verse 20. But there were some of them... who for and some of them were.., which, A.V.; the Greeks also for the Grecians, A.V. and T.R. This last is a most important variation of reading - Ἑλλῆνας, Greeks for Ἑλληνίστας, Grecians, i.e. Grecian Jews, or Hellenists. It is supported, however, by strong authority of manuscripts, versions, and Fathers, and is accepted by Grotius, Witsius, Griesbach, Lachman, Tischendorf, Meyer, Conybeare and Howson, Alford, Westcott, Bishop Lightfoot, and the 'Speaker's Commentary' (apparently) and most modern critics. It is also strongly argued that the internal evidence proves Ἑλλῆνας to be the right reading, because the statement that the men of Cyprus and Cyrene preached the gospel to them is contrasted with the action of the others, who preached to the Jews only. Obviously, therefore, these Hellenes were not Jews. Moreover, there was nothing novel in the conversion and admission into the Church of Hellenistic Jews (see Acts 2:5, etc.; Acts 9:22, 29). And these very preachers were in all probability Hellenists themselves. Bishop Wordsworth, however, on the contrary, defends, though with doubt, the reading Ἑλληνίστας; and argues that even if Ἑλλῆνας is the right reading, it must mean the same as Ἑλληνίστας. He also hints that it might mean "proselytes" (see Acts 14:1, where the Hellenes attend the synagogue, and Acts 17:4). But there is no evidence that these were proselytes any more than Cornelius was. The Hellenes, or Greeks, here were probably uncircumcised Greeks who feared God, like Cornelius, and attended the synagogue worship (see Meyer on Acts 14:1). It is very likely that in Antioch, where the Jews occupied such a prominent position, some of the Greek inhabitants should be attracted by their doctrines and worship, repelled, perhaps, by the prevalent superstitions and profligate levity of the great city.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
But
δέ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

some
τινες (tines)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.

of
ἐξ (ex)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

them,
αὐτῶν (autōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 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.

men
ἄνδρες (andres)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 435: A male human being; a man, husband. A primary word; a man.

from Cyprus
Κύπριοι (Kyprioi)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2953: A Cypriote, belonging to Cyprus. From Kupros; a Cyprian, i.e. Inhabitant of Cyprus.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

Cyrene,
Κυρηναῖοι (Kyrēnaioi)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2956: Belonging to Cyrene, a Cyrenaean. From Kurene; i.e. Cyrenaean, i.e. Inhabitant of Cyrene.

went
ἐλθόντες (elthontes)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2064: To come, go.

to
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

Antioch
Ἀντιόχειαν (Antiocheian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 490: From Antiochus; Antiochia, a place in Syria.

and began speaking
ἐλάλουν (elaloun)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2980: A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words.

to
πρὸς (pros)
Preposition
Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.

the
τοὺς (tous)
Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Greeks
Ἑλληνιστάς (Hellēnistas)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1675: From a derivative of Hellen; a Hellenist or Greek-speaking Jew.

as well,
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

proclaiming the good news
εὐαγγελιζόμενοι (euangelizomenoi)
Verb - Present Participle Middle - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2097: From eu and aggelos; to announce good news especially the gospel.

about the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Lord
Κύριον (Kyrion)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

Jesus.
Ἰησοῦν (Iēsoun)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.


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