FocusThe same gift and repentance
Connection to the wholePeter recounts God's direction and the Holy Ghost falling, leading his hearers to acknowledge that God has granted Gentiles repentance unto life.
interpretation Acts 11:4
KJVBut Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying,
Read it in context
Peter explains the Gentile reception
Start reading at Acts 11:1 (Acts 11:1 to Acts 11:18).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
Peter recounts God's direction and the Holy Ghost falling, leading his hearers to acknowledge that God has granted Gentiles repentance unto life.
- 11:1 And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
- 11:2 And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,
- 11:3 Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.
- 11:4 But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying,
- 11:5 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:
- 11:6 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.
- 11:7 And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat.
- 11:8 But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth.
- 11:9 But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
- 11:10 And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven.
- 11:11 And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me.
- 11:12 And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house:
- 11:13 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;
- 11:14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.
- 11:15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
- 11:16 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.
- 11:17 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?
- 11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Luke, the physician and companion of Paul, is the traditional author of Acts and the Gospel of Luke. Biblical references: Acts 1:1; Luke 1:3; Colossians 4:14. Historical source: Anchor Bible Dictionary, Luke–Acts. traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Acts 11:1–11:30): Peter explains the Gentile reception to believers in Jerusalem. Later Barnabas and Saul teach the church at Antioch, and Agabus announces a famine. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Theophilus, the same named recipient as Luke's Gospel, with the account also serving the wider Christian readership. Biblical references: Acts 1:1; Luke 1:3. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Peter explains the Gentile reception. Read Acts 11:1 through Acts 11:18 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? Peter recounts God's direction and the Holy Ghost falling, leading his hearers to acknowledge that God has granted Gentiles repentance unto life. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? Acts begins after Jesus' resurrection and follows the witness through Pentecost, expansion among peoples, and Paul's arrival in Rome. It does not give a final publication date. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The movement extends from Jerusalem through Judea and Samaria toward wider regions and Rome, as announced in Acts 1:8. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Peter explains the Gentile reception (Acts 11:1 to Acts 11:18). Start reading at Acts 11:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The risen Jesus commissions the witnesses, and their preaching centers on Him. The accounts include repentance, baptism in Jesus' name, and reception of the Holy Ghost; keep the details and order stated for each event. See Acts 1:8, Acts 2:38, Acts 10:44, Acts 10:48, Acts 19:5, Acts 19:6. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Compare conversion accounts carefully, preserving what each one actually narrates. Do not invent an omitted detail or flatten every episode into an identical sequence. interpretation
Cited: Acts 11:1, Acts 11:18, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:38, Acts 10:44, Acts 10:48, Acts 19:5, Acts 19:6
Who wrote it, and how we know
Luke
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book opens by referring to the author's former treatise to Theophilus, tying it to Luke, and shifts into first-person plural in the travel accounts.
Acts 1:1Acts 16:10
Early traditionEarly testimony names Luke.
What is debatedThe name is not in the text.
Other accounts of this event
Cornelius, Peter, and the Gentiles receiving the Holy Ghost
Later retelling included
Acts 11 records Peter's later explanation of the events in Acts 10. Acts 15 briefly recalls the Gentiles hearing and receiving the Holy Ghost.
Related passages
- But Peter rehearsed the matter from the b… Acts 14:27 Josh 22:21-31 Prov 15:1 Luke 1:3
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Time covered by Acts
About 30 years
- AD 30 or 33Approximate beginning · Acts 1
The risen Jesus instructs His apostles
Acts begins after Jesus’ resurrection and describes His ascension. - About AD 62Approximate ending · Acts 28
Paul teaches while confined in Rome
The account closes with Paul receiving visitors and teaching during two full years in his rented lodging.
The narrative moves from Jerusalem to Rome over roughly three decades. Chapters do not represent equal amounts of time.
View historical notes and sources
Using a beginning in AD 30 or 33 and an ending around AD 62 gives approximately 29–32 years. These are reconstructed dates for the events, not a date for the writing of Acts. The book does not explicitly total its elapsed years.
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Acts 11
Acts addresses Theophilus as a continuation of the earlier account and follows the witnesses empowered by the Holy Ghost. Acts 1:8 supplies an important geographical frame: Jerusalem, Judaea and Samaria, and the uttermost part of the earth.
The church in Antioch
Acts 11:19–30FocusTeaching and practical fellowship
Connection to the wholeThe outward witness develops into the Antioch church, where Barnabas and Saul teach and the disciples arrange relief for brethren in Judaea.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Acts
Acts addresses Theophilus as a continuation of the earlier account and follows the witnesses empowered by the Holy Ghost. Acts 1:8 supplies an important geographical frame: Jerusalem, Judaea and Samaria, and the uttermost part of the earth.
The promised power and the Jerusalem church
Acts 1:1–2:47FocusWitness begins
Connection to the wholeJesus' promise, the coming of the Holy Ghost, Peter's preaching, and the hearers' response establish the beginning of the church's witness.
interpretation Witness and opposition in Jerusalem
Acts 3:1–7:60FocusBoldness, order, and rejection
Connection to the wholePublic testimony and growth are accompanied by internal needs and increasing opposition, culminating in Stephen's death.
interpretation FocusSamaria, Saul, and Gentile hearers
Connection to the wholePersecution scatters believers; new fields open, Saul is called, and the reception of Gentiles becomes a matter publicly explained to the church.
interpretation Mission and the Gentile question
Acts 13:1–15:35FocusChurches established and the council
Connection to the wholeThe first missionary journey and the Jerusalem deliberation address the place of Gentile believers without making circumcision the entrance requirement.
interpretation Further journeys and growing churches
Acts 15:36–21:16FocusStrengthening and expanding witness
Connection to the wholePaul and his companions travel through new regions and revisit churches, moving toward the journey to Jerusalem despite coming danger.
interpretation Arrest, hearings, and Rome
Acts 21:17–28:31FocusTestimony through imprisonment
Connection to the wholePaul's custody becomes a setting for witness before authorities and brings him to Rome, where the account closes with continued proclamation.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.