Commentaries Dictionaries Concordances

A Textual Commentary On The Greek NT

Acts 11:25,26

Acts 11:25-26

Codex Bezae, supported in part by other Western witnesses, reads avkou,saj de. o[ti Sau/lo,j evstin eivj Qarso.n evxh/lqen avnazhtw/n auvto,n( kai. w`j suntucw.n pareka,lesen evlqei/n eivj VAntio,ceian) oi[tinej parageno,menoi evniauto.n o[lon sunecu,qhsan o;clon i`kano,n( kai. to,te prw/ton evcrhma,tisan evn VAntiocei,a| oi` maqhtai. Creistianoi, (“And having heard that Saul was at Tarsus, he went out to seek him; and when he had met him, he entreated him to come to Antioch. When they had come, for a whole year a large company of people were stirred up, and then for the first time the disciples in Antioch were called Christians”).

Ropes was inclined to think that the verb sunecu,qhsan, so unexpected in the context, was original, and that sunacqh/nai was substituted in all other texts. The variation of verbs, however, is more probably part of a corruption that involved also the accidental omission of the words th|/ evkklhsi,a| kai. evdi,daskon between the verb and o;clon i`kano,n (“When they had come, for a whole year [people] were stirred up in the church, and they were teaching a large company of people”).

It is difficult to see why the Western text should have been shortened if it were original; on the other hand, the Alexandrian text may have been rewritten to show more clearly why Barnabas went to Tarsus, and to indicate that Saul was not “brought” to Antioch, but was “entreated” to come.

Continues after advertising

See also Acts 11:25,26 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse Acts 11:25. _TO TARSUS, FOR TO SEEK SAUL_] The persecution raised against him obliged him to take refuge in his own city, where, as a Roman citizen, his person was in safety. See Acts 9:29....

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    THEN DEPARTED ... - Why Barnabas sought Saul is not known. It is probable, however, that it was owing to the remarkable success which he had in Antioch. There was a great revival of religion, and ther...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    CHAPTER 11 _ 1. Peter's Defense in Jerusalem (Acts 11:1)._ 2. The Beginning of the Church in Antioch (Acts 11:19). 3. Barnabas sent to Antioch (Acts 11:22). 4. The Prophecy of Agabus ...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    ANOTHER ACCOUNT OF THE EARLY GENTILE MISSION. ANTIOCH. This connects with Acts 8:2. It was the Hellenists at Jerusalem, whose mouthpiece Stephen was, who were driven away at his death. There, they wer...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    PETER ON HIS DEFENCE (Acts 11:1-10)...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    News of this and of what they were doing came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem. So they sent Barnabas out as far as Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God he was glad and he exhorted the...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    FOR TO SEEK. Literally to seek up and down. Greek. _anazeteo._ Here, Luke 2:44....

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    _Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus_ The oldest MSS. omit "Barnabas." Read, "And he went forth to Tarsus." _for to seek Saul_ that he, to whom the Lord had appeared, and who had been marked as a "chose...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    ὁ Βαρνάβας omitted with אAB. _Vulg_. represents it. 25. ἈΝΑΖΗΤΗ͂ΣΑΙ ΣΑΥ͂ΛΟΝ, _for to seek Saul_. That he, to whom the Lord had appeared, and who had been marked as a ‘chosen vessel’ (Acts 9:15) to be...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    FURTHER SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL AS FAR AS ANTIOCH...

  • Charles Box Commentaries

    _BARNABAS WAS SENT BY THE CHURCH TO ANTIOCH ACTS 11:22-26:_ The news of what was happening in Antioch reached the church in Jerusalem. Barnabas was sent by the Jerusalem church to look into the work a...

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    ΈΞΉΛΘΕΝ _aor. ind. act. от_ ΈΞΈΡΧΟΜΑΙ (G1831) выходить, ΆΝΑΖΗΤΉΣΑΙ _aor. act. inf. от_ ΆΝΑΖΗΤΈΩ (G327) искать. Предложное сочетание означает искать вдоль и поперек, снова и снова, тщательно разыскива...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    THE EARLY LABORS OF BARNABAS AND SAUL. Acts 11:22, Acts 12:25 1. IN JERUSALEM. Acts 11:22. Acts 11:22 And the report concerni

  • Combined Bible Commentary

    25. While Barnabas was engaged in these faithful labors in Antioch, he seems to have longed for the co-operation of a kindred spirit. He had not forgotten the converted persecutor, whom he had kindly...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: THEN DEPARTED BARNABAS (OR, 'DEPARTED HE,' ACCORDING TO THE BETTER READING), TO TARSUS - a short run by sea from Seleucia, which he would probab...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    4 So important is this new departure that Peter's rehearsal before his indignant brethren is given in full, for it removes the great obstacle which lay in the way of the further spread of the evangel....

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    THE FIRST GENTILE CHURCH 1-18. The baptism of Cornelius discussed and approved at Jerusalem. Those Christians who maintained the need of observing the Ceremonial Law did not attack the baptism itself...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    THE CHURCH IN ANTIOCH, 35-47 A.D. (ACTS 11:19 TO ACTS 13:3) 19-26. Extension of the Church to Antioch. Admission of Gentile members. Antioch in N. Syria ranked next to Alexandria, as the third city in...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    GOOD NEWS FOR EVERYONE ACTS _MARION ADAMS_ CHAPTER 11 PETER’S REPORT TO THE *CHURCH IN *JERUSALEM, 11:1-18 V1 The *apostles and the *believers in *Judea heard that the *Gentiles also had receive...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    THEN DEPARTED BARNABAS TO TARSUS. — The act is every way significant. It indicates the assurance that Saul would approve of the work which had been going on at Antioch, and the confident belief that h...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    Luke gives no reason why Barnabas goes to seek Saul, but Barnabas who had already vouched for Saul's sincerity before the Church of Jerusalem, Acts 9:27, could scarcely be ignorant that the sphere of...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    Further spread of the Gosael to Antioch....

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    KNITTING TOGETHER THE CHURCH Acts 11:19-30 The development of God's plan is still further disclosed in the events recorded in this section, which describe the same phenomenon of Gentile conversion, b...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    It is very interesting to note how slowly the prejudices of the Hebrew Christians gave way, and yet how amenable they were to the evidences as they appeared. The apostles and the brethren at Jerusalem...

  • Gary Hampton Commentaries

    Barnabas Goes to Antioch to Encourage Young Converts Ash reports that Antioch was the world's third largest city at that time, trailing only Rome and Alexandria. Luke reported that those scattered by...

  • Geneva Study Bible Commentary

    (6) Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: (6) There was no contention amongst the apostles, either with regard to usurping, or with regard to holding places of degree....

  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    _To seek Saul, who had retired for a while, to his native city, Tarsus. These two remained in Antioch about a year, during which time they reaped a plentiful harvest._...

  • Godbey's Commentary on the New Testament

    Not only did Barnabas heartily endorse the procedure, but of his own accord he went away to Tarsus, the capital of Cilicia, hunted up his old friend and schoolmate, Saul, and brought him to Antioch to...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    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 t...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    We are now arrived at a turning-point in the history, not merely of the church, but of the unfolding of the truth of God, and the manifestation of His ways. The death of Stephen, therefore, has in var...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    25.Barnabas’ simplicity is commended to us now the second time, that whereas he might have borne the chiefest swing at Antioch, yet went he into Cilicia that he might fet [fetch] Paul thence, who he k...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    Acts 11:19 begins the narration of the new order of things by which the ministry of Paul is distinguished. Among those who were scattered abroad on the occasion of Stephen's death, and who went as far...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    THEN DEPARTED BARNABAS TO TARSUS,.... "In Cilicia" to seek Saul; who had been sent thither by the brethren that he might escape the rage of the Grecians, who sought to slay him, Acts 9:29....

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: Ver. 25. _Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus for to seek Saul_] Not fearing to be outshined by him, who was now grown an admirable preacher, and an i...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _Then departed Barnabas_ Namely, after some abode at Antioch, perceiving, probably, that he wanted an assistant in his labours; _to Tarsus, to seek Saul_ Whose departure thither was mentioned, chap. A...

  • Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament (1851)

    TARSUS; Paul's native city. Chap Acts 9:11....

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    Barnabas in Antioch and Tarsus:...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    THEN DEPARTED BARNABAS TO TARSUS FOR TO SEEK SAUL;...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    News of Peter's carrying the gospel to Gentiles had preceded him to Jerusalem. When he arrived there, therefore, he was faced by those who were specially zealous of the law, and who spoke accusingly o...

  • Manly Luscombe Commentary on New Testament

    THEN BARNABAS DEPARTED FOR TARSUS TO SEEK SAUL. 1. Barnabas saw opportunity. He saw a work for Saul to do. 2. He headed for Tarsus where Saul was now living....

  • Manly Luscombe Commentary on New Testament

    :!7 17 IF THEREFORE GOD GAVE THEM THE SAME GIFT AS _HE GAVE_ US WHEN WE BELIEVED ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, WHO WAS I THAT I COULD WITHSTAND GOD? " 1. What was similar to Pentecost? 1. Cornelius was...

  • Mark Dunagan Commentaries

    "And he went forth to Tarsus to seek for Saul"He went forth to Tarsus" Barnabas realized that this work needed more assistance than he could personally give. "We cannot help admiring Barnabas' humilit...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    25-30 Hitherto the followers of Christ were called disciples, that is, learners, scholars; but from that time they were called Christians. The proper meaning of this name is, a follower of Christ; it...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    SAUL, or Paul, being Barnabas's friend and acquaintance, whom Barnabas had brought to the knowledge of the apostles, ACTS 9:27; he goes now to seek him, that they might advise and strengthen one anoth...

  • McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries

    25. While Barnabas was engaged in these faithful labors in Antioch, he seems to have longed for the co-operation of a kindred spirit. He had not forgotten the converted persecutor, whom he had kindly...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Acts 11:25 Then G1161 Barnabas G921 departed G1831 (G5627) for G1519 Tarsus G5019 seek G327 (G5658) Saul...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    ‘And he went forth to Tarsus to seek for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it came about that even for a whole year they were gathered together with the church, and taugh...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    CONTINUED EXPANSION AND GOD'S NEW WORK AMONG THE GREEKS (11:19-26). Meanwhile the work of God has been going on through many unnamed and unsung heroes, and a number of those who had been scattered as...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    Acts 11:25. THEN DEPARTED BARNABAS TO TARSUS, FOR TO SEEK SAUL. The history of St. Paul is here resumed, suddenly and somewhat indirectly, from Acts 9:30, which corresponds with Acts 22:21, and...

  • Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament

    TO SEEK FOR SAUL (αναζητησα Σαυλον). First aorist (effective) active infinitive of purpose. Αναζητεω is a common verb since Plato, but in the N.T. only here and Luke 2:44; Luke 2:45, to seek up and...

  • Sermon Bible Commentary

    Acts 11:19 The Church at Antioch. I. This church was established by lay agency. II. It was a church established among the Gentiles. The text marks a new epoch in the history of the kingdom of God Je...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Peter vindicates his ministry to the Gentiles. Name «Christians» first applied at Antioch. CHARACTERS: Jesus, Spirit, Peter, angel, John, Stephen, Barnabas, Saul, Agabus, Caesar. CONCLUSIO...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Acts 11:2. _They of the circumcision contended with him._ Those who were zealous of the law, apprehending that Christ and his grace had only been promised and confined to themselves, the call and conv...

  • The Bible Study New Testament

    TO LOOK FOR SAUL. _Compare note on_ Acts 9:30. Paul is thought to have come to Antioch in 43 A.D. [by the corrected calendar]. An "apostle" was needed at Antioch to "pass on" spiritual gifts and bring...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _Then tidings of these things came to the ears of the Church,…and they sent forth Barnabas._ A ST. BARNABAS THE NEED OF THE HOUR You know the strain and the stress of the situation recorded in my tex...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus for to seek Saul._ SAUL BROUGHT TO ANTIOCH; BURIED TALENT CALLED FORTH TO ITS APPROPRIATE FIELD OF LABOUR How Saul had been employed all this time (Acts 9:30) we hav...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 11:19 With the establishing of a church at Antioch and its outreach to Gentiles, the focus in Acts 1:1 shifts from Jerusalem to Antioch....

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 11:25 Paul had gone to TARSUS after his conversion (Acts 9:30). As a Diaspora Jew, he was particularly suited for the Gentile outreach. The fact that...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _CRITICAL REMARKS_ Acts 11:19. UPON THE PERSECUTION.—Or, _tribulation,_ ἀπὸ πῆς θλίψεως: better, _from_ (as an effect of) _the persecution,_ THAT AROSE ABOUT STEPHEN, ἐπὶ Στεφάνῳ—_i.e., on account of,...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION ACTS 11:1 _Now_ for _and_, A.V.; _the_ _brethren _for brethren, A.V.; _also had_ for _had also_, A.V, We can imagine how rapidly the news of the great revolution would travel to the metrop...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    And the apostles and brethren that were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. And when Peter was come back to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision had a fight wi...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    Acts 21:39; Acts 9:11; Acts 9:27; Acts 9:30...

  • Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament (4 Volume Set)

    To seek [α ν α ζ η τ η σ α ι]. Strictly, like our "hunt up" [α ν α]....

  • William Burkitt's Expository Notes

    Observe here,. further instance of the piety of that good man. Barnabas having. great zeal and fervent desire that the gospel might be more and more prompted, he went to Tarsus to seek out Saul, that...

Continues after advertising

Old Testament