BibleWord.ai› Bible› Acts› Chapter 11› Verse 21

Acts 11:21

New Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Acts 11:21 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number that believed turned unto the Lord.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number that believed turned unto the Lord.
Acts 11:21 — American Standard Version

Context — Acts 11

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
18And when they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then to the Gentiles also hath God granted repentance unto life.
19They therefore that were scattered abroad upon the tribulation that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to none save only to Jews.
20But 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.
21And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number that believed turned unto the Lord.
22And the report concerning them came to the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas as far as Antioch:
23who, when he was come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad; and he exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord:
24for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
← Acts 11:20Acts 11:22 →
← Full Chapter 11 Acts Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the hand of the Lord was with them, etc.] Not only his hand of providence, which brought them thither, and protected them; and his hand of love, grace and mercy, which was upon them, and supplied them with gifts and grace, and everything necessary for them; and his hand of wisdom, which guided and directed them; but his hand of power, the same with the arm of the Lord, which when revealed, and made bare, the report of the Gospel is believed: but if that is not put forth, or efficacious grace is not exerted, no work is done, none are brought to believe, or are converted; ministers labour in vain, and spend their strength for nought: but this was not the case here, it was otherwise with…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“a great number believed--Thus the accession of Cornelius and his party was not the first admission of uncircumcised Gentiles into the Church. (See on Act 10:1.) Nay, we read of no influence which the accession of Cornelius and his house had on the further progress of the Gospel among the Gentiles; whereas there here open upon us operations upon the Gentiles from quite a different quarter, and attended with ever growing success. The only great object served by the case of Cornelius was the formal recognition of the principles which that case afterwards secured. (See on Act 15:19-29.)”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And the hand of the Lord - See the notes on Luke 1:66. Compare Psalms 80:17. The meaning is, that God showed them favor, and evinced his power in the conversion of their hearers. return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the hand of the Lord - That is, the power of his Spirit. Acts 11:26”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“11:21-24 Once again, as had happened in the household of Cornelius, Gentiles turned to the Lord in considerable numbers. The explosion of Christian faith into the Gentile world had to remain in harmony with the church at Jerusalem, so the Jerusalem church sent Barnabas to Antioch to oversee developments there. He could see that God’s blessing was on what was happening, so he endorsed it with joy.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the hand: Ch2 30:12; Ezr 7:9, Ezr 8:18; Neh 2:8, Neh 2:18; Isa 53:1, Isa 59:1; Luk 1:66 and a: Act 11:24, Act 2:47, Act 4:4, Act 5:14, Act 6:7; Co1 3:6, Co1 3:7; Th1 1:5 turned: Act 9:35, Act 15:19, Act 26:18-20; Th1 1:9, Th1 1:10 Acts 11:22”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Acts 11 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification