Acts 11:27 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.

NIV: During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.

NASB: Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.

CSB: In those days some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.

NLT: During this time some prophets traveled from Jerusalem to Antioch.

KJV: And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.

NKJV: And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch.

The preceding section tells the origin and growth of the vibrant church in Syrian Antioch. There were several Antiochs in the ancient Roman Empire. This one is on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean, so far north it's now in modern-day Turkey. Jesus-followers from Cyprus and Cyrene, fleeing persecution in Jerusalem, had come to Antioch and spread the gospel to Jews and Gentiles. When the apostles found out, they sent Barnabas to determine if the message was accurate and if the Gentiles were really following Christ. Barnabas found such a thriving ministry he sent for Saul in Tarsus to come help. The church grew even more, and the believers took on the title "Christian" for the first time (Acts 11:19–26).

Syrian Antioch, at the time of these events, is also home to a great number of devout Jews, and the roads to Jerusalem are well-traveled. It would be no strange thing for Jesus-following prophets to travel the 300 miles north and visit the new church. Prophecy at that time was an important gift. The only New Testament books written this early in church history are perhaps James and the gospel of Mark. In the beginning years of the church, the Holy Spirit moves mightily to give insight and truth to church leaders, and many have the gift of prophecy (1 Corinthians 12:28). We may still feel the Spirit's leading today, perhaps to support a church in need, but with the completion of the Bible the gift of prophecy is no longer needed (1 Corinthians 13:8).

Acts 11:27–30 records a prophecy that great famine will affect the Roman Empire; the church in Jerusalem needs support. This is related to the narrative because it takes place in Syrian Antioch, as did the previous account. It's also about Jerusalem, as is the next chapter. But Luke is intentional, here. Acts 11:19–26 describes the origin of Paul's extensive evangelistic ministry. One of Paul's recurring themes is the responsibility of new churches to financially support the church in Jerusalem; this is where Paul's conviction starts.

Acts 11 accelerates the journey of the message of Jesus into the Gentile world. Peter returns to Jerusalem and explains to the church leaders how the Holy Spirit has fallen on a group of Gentiles in Caesarea Maritima (Acts 11:1–18). Then the church hears how Gentiles are coming to faith far north in Syrian Antioch; they send Barnabas to investigate and Barnabas brings in Saul (Acts 11:19–26). Finally, prophets travel from Jerusalem to Antioch to request aid for the Jerusalem church (Acts 11:27–30). The scene is almost set for Paul's extensive evangelism career to begin.

Until the martyrdom of Stephen (Acts 7:54–60), the story of Jesus' followers remained mostly in Jerusalem. Saul started persecuting the church and the members fled, taking Jesus' story with them. This included Philip who shared Jesus' story with Samaritans and an Ethiopian official (Acts 8). Saul's persecution even led to his own conversion (Acts 9). And Peter brought the gospel to a group of Gentiles (Acts 10). After one more story about Peter and rising persecution by the Roman government, the book of Acts will turn to Saul, who will use the Greek variation of his name, Paul, and his missionary journeys to southeast Europe.

The summary of the book of Acts is provided in Jesus' words in Acts 1:8: ''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'' In Acts 2:1–13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14—7:60 describes the rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. Chapters 8—12 find Jewish persecution inadvertently spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. And in chapters 13—28, Paul and his companions spread the good news throughout the Roman Empire.