ris3n's Apologetics Codex

Passage

Acts 11

Book: Acts · ASV / WEB / KJV / YLT

Immediate context (±2 verses)

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ASV (ASV)

"1. Now the apostles and the brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, 3. saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them. 4. But Peter began, and expounded the matter unto them in order, saying, 5. I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even unto me: 6. upon which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw the fourfooted beasts of the earth and wild beasts and creeping things and birds of the heaven. 7. And I heard also a voice saying unto me, Rise, Peter; kill and eat. 8. But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath ever entered into my mouth. 9. But a voice answered the second time out of heaven, What God hath cleansed, make not thou common. 10. And this was done thrice: and all were drawn up again into heaven. 11. And behold, forthwith three men stood before the house in which we were, having been sent from Caesarea unto me. 12. And the Spirit bade me go with them, making no distinction. And these six brethren also accompanied me; and we entered into the man's house: 13. and he told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying, Send to Joppa, and fetch Simon, whose surname is Peter; 14. who shall speak unto thee words, whereby thou shalt be saved, thou and all thy house. 15. And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning. 16. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit. 17. If then God gave unto them the like gift as he did also unto us, when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I could withstand God? 18. And when they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then to the Gentiles also hath God granted repentance unto life. 19. They 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. 20. 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. 21. And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number that believed turned unto the Lord. 22. And the report concerning them came to the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas as far as Antioch: 23. who, 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: 24. for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. 25. And he went forth to Tarsus to seek for Saul; 26. and when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that even for a whole year they were gathered together with the church, and taught much people, and that the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. 27. Now in these days there came down prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. 28. And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be a great famine over all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius. 29. And the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren that dwelt in Judea: 30. which also they did, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul." (Acts 11:1-30, ASV)

WEB (WEB)

"1. Now the apostles and the brothers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. 2. When Peter had come up to Jerusalem, those who were of the circumcision contended with him, 3. saying, “You went in to uncircumcised men, and ate with them!” 4. But Peter began, and explained to them in order, saying, 5. “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision: a certain container descending, like it was a great sheet let down from heaven by four corners. It came as far as me. 6. When I had looked intently at it, I considered, and saw the four-footed animals of the earth, wild animals, creeping things, and birds of the sky. 7. I also heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter, kill and eat!’ 8. But I said, ‘Not so, Lord, for nothing unholy or unclean has ever entered into my mouth.’ 9. But a voice answered me the second time out of heaven, ‘What God has cleansed, don’t you call unclean.’ 10. This was done three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven. 11. Behold, immediately three men stood before the house where I was, having been sent from Caesarea to me. 12. The Spirit told me to go with them, without discriminating. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered into the man’s house. 13. He told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying to him, ‘Send to Joppa, and get Simon, who is called Peter, 14. who will speak to you words by which you will be saved, you and all your house.’ 15. As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning. 16. I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit.’ 17. If then God gave to them the same gift as us, when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I could withstand God?” 18. When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life!” 19. They therefore who were scattered abroad by the oppression that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews only. 20. 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. 21. The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. 22. The report concerning them came to the ears of the assembly which was in Jerusalem. They sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch, 23. who, when he had come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad. He exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they should remain near to the Lord. 24. For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, and many people were added to the Lord. 25. Barnabas went out to Tarsus to look for Saul. 26. When he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they were gathered together with the assembly, and taught many people. The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. 27. Now in these days, prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28. One of them named Agabus stood up, and indicated by the Spirit that there should be a great famine all over the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius. 29. As any of the disciples had plenty, each determined to send relief to the brothers who lived in Judea; 30. which they also did, sending it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul." (Acts 11:1-30, WEB)

KJV (KJV)

"1. And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. 2. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, 3. Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them. 4. But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying, 5. I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me: 6. Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. 7. And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat. 8. But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth. 9. But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. 10. And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven. 11. And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me. 12. And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house: 13. And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; 14. Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved. 15. And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. 16. Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. 17. Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? 18. When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life. 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. 20. 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. 21. And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. 22. Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. 23. Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. 24. For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. 25. Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: 26. And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. with: or, in the church 27. And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. 28. And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. 29. Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: 30. Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul." (Acts 11:1-30, KJV)

YLT (YLT)

"1. And the apostles and the brethren who are in Judea heard that also the nations did receive the word of God, 2. and when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision were contending with him, 3. saying, 'Unto men uncircumcised thou didst go in, and didst eat with them!' 4. And Peter having begun, did expound to them in order saying, 5. 'I was in the city of Joppa praying, and I saw in a trance a vision, a certain vessel coming down, as a great sheet by four corners being let down out of the heaven, and it came unto me; 6. at which having looked stedfastly, I was considering, and I saw the four-footed beasts of the earth, and the wild beasts, and the creeping things, and the fowls of heaven; 7. and I heard a voice saying to me, Having risen, Peter, slay and eat; 8. and I said, Not so, Lord; because anything common or unclean hath at no time entered into my mouth; 9. and a voice did answer me a second time out of the heaven, What God did cleanse, thou, declare not thou common. 10. 'And this happened thrice, and again was all drawn up to the heaven, 11. and, lo, immediately, three men stood at the house in which I was, having been sent from Caesarea unto me, 12. and the Spirit said to me to go with them, nothing doubting, and these six brethren also went with me, and we did enter into the house of the man, 13. he declared also to us how he saw the messenger in his house standing, and saying to him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, who is surnamed Peter, 14. who shall speak sayings by which thou shalt be saved, thou and all thy house. 15. 'And in my beginning to speak, the Holy Spirit did fall upon them, even as also upon us in the beginning, 16. and I remembered the saying of the Lord, how he said, John indeed did baptize with water, and ye shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit; 17. if then the equal gift God did give to them as also to us, having believed upon the Lord Jesus Christ, I, how was I able to withstand God?' 18. And they, having heard these things, were silent, and were glorifying God, saying, 'Then, indeed, also to the nations did God give the reformation to life.' 19. Those, indeed, therefore, having been scattered abroad, from the tribulation that came after Stephen, went through unto Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to none except to Jews only; 20. 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, 21. and the hand of the Lord was with them, a great number also, having believed, did turn unto the Lord. 22. And the account was heard in the ears of the assembly that [is] in Jerusalem concerning them, and they sent forth Barnabas to go through unto Antioch, 23. who, having come, and having seen the grace of God, was glad, and was exhorting all with purpose of heart to cleave to the Lord, 24. because he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit, and of faith, and a great multitude was added to the Lord. 25. And Barnabas went forth to Tarsus, to seek for Saul, 26. and having found him, he brought him to Antioch, and it came to pass that they a whole year did assemble together in the assembly, and taught a great multitude, the disciples also were divinely called first in Antioch Christians. 27. And in those days there came from Jerusalem prophets to Antioch, 28. and one of them, by name Agabus, having stood up, did signify through the Spirit a great dearth is about to be throughout all the world, which also came to pass in the time of Claudius Caesar, 29. and the disciples, according as any one was prospering, determined each of them to send for ministration to the brethren dwelling in Judea, 30. which also they did, having sent unto the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul." (Acts 11:1-30, YLT)

Setting

  • Speaker: Luke the physician (traditionally) / narrator + multiple speeches (Peter, Stephen, Paul)
  • Audience: Theophilus + Gentile Christian audience (companion to Luke)
  • Location: Jerusalem → Judea → Samaria → Asia Minor → Greece → Rome
  • Time period: events c. AD 30-62; composed c. AD 62-80

Theological reading

Key words

Quoted in

Why these four translations

ris3n chose ASV, WEB, KJV, and YLT for two reasons together. They are the most literal English translations available (formal-equivalence: word-for-word renderings that preserve the Hebrew and Greek grammar rather than smoothing it into modern dynamic-equivalence idiom). And they are in the public domain in the United States, which means fair-use quotation at any length requires no publisher license. Modern licensed translations (NASB95, ESV, NIV) restrict volume of quotation under their copyright terms, so they are not used at stub-level coverage here. NASB95 appears only on hand-curated rich passage hubs under Lockman Foundation's fair-use allowance.

The four:

  • ASV (American Standard Version, 1901). The basis of the modern critical-text English tradition.
  • WEB (World English Bible, contemporary). Public-domain revision in the ASV line, in current English.
  • KJV (King James Version, 1611). Reformation-era, Textus Receptus base.
  • YLT (Young's Literal Translation, Robert Young, 1862). Hyper-literal preservation of Hebrew and Greek grammar; useful for word-study work even where English reads stiff.

See Bibles for the full per-translation history, translators, textual basis, strengths, and weaknesses.