Robertson's Word Pictures of the NT

Acts 11:20

Spake

(ελαλουν). Inchoative imperfect active, began to speak. For them it was an experiment.Unto the Greeks also

(κα προς τους Hελληνας). This is undoubtedly the correct reading in spite of Hellenists (Hελληνιστας) or Grecian Jews in B E H L P. Hελληνας is read by A and D and a corrector of Aleph. The presence of "also" or "even" (κα) in Aleph A B makes no sense unless "Greeks" is correct. Hellenists or Grecian Jews as Christians were common enough as is seen in Acts 11:2; Acts 11:6. Saul also had preached to the Hellenists in Jerusalem (Acts 9:29). Hellenists were merely one kind of Jews in contrast with those who spoke Aramaic (Acts 11:6). It is true that the case of Cornelius was first in importance, but it is not clear that it was before the work in Antioch. Probably the report of the work among the Greeks in Antioch reached Jerusalem after Peter's defence in Acts 11:1-18. That explains the calm tone about it and also why Barnabas and not Peter was sent to investigate. Peter and John (Acts 11:8) had condoned Philip's work in Samaria and Peter was the agent in the work among the Romans in Caesarea. His position was now well-known and his services discounted for this new crisis. These Greeks in Antioch were apparently in part pure heathen and not "God-fearers" like Cornelius. A man of wisdom was called for. These preachers were themselves Hellenists (verse Acts 11:19) and open to the lessons from their environment without a vision such as Peter had at Joppa. "It was a departure of startling boldness" (Furneaux) by laymen outside of the circle of official leaders.

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Robertson's Word Pictures of the NT

Acts 11:20

Old Testament

New Testament