Acts 11:1

Acts 11:1. The apostles and brethren that were in Judaea. Probably some of them were at Jerusalem, and some of them itinerating, like St. Peter, through the Holy Land, for the purpose of spreading the Gospel (see Acts 1:8; Acts 10:37). It is observable that the ‘elders' or presbyters, who are first mentioned in the last verse of this chapter, do not yet appear. Compare Acts 15:2.

Heard. Such an occurrence, especially as it had taken place in the conspicuous town of Cæsarea, and had been connected with the conduct of one so prominent as St. Peter, could not possibly have been concealed. The news must have rapidly spread through all the Christian communities of the land.

That the Gentiles also had received the Word of God. These ‘apostles and brethren' had Christian hearts, and they must have rejoiced in the thought that the Gospel had found acceptance in other hearts (see Acts 11:18). That which they could not understand was that these Gentiles should have been reached by this blessing without first becoming Jews.